Block Party Eagle goes big with 15 bands, camping, food, drinks, craft vendors and more

Block Party Eagle offers everything summer concerts in the Rocky Mountains should be: renowned musicians, food and drink, camping and a sense of community gathering under a (hopefully) vast blue sky.

Aug. 11-13, Block Party Eagle presents 15 bands cranking out an eclectic mix of live blues, funk and rock on three stages.

“Our goal for Block Party is to blend music, the mountains and a multi-year music tradition for an epic outdoor experience,” said Ted Wenninger of Ramble Presents, which produces Block Party. “Lettuce, Oteil & Friends, Pepper and the entire 2023 music lineup is sure to create a high-energy show. We can’t wait for Block Party festival-goers to see it all.” 

Oteil & Friends headline Friday at 9 p.m., but before that, Sam Bush warms up the crowd from 6-7:30 p.m. on the Boneyard Stage on Broadway and 2nd Street, while Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (7:30 p.m.) and The Record Company (4:30 p.m.) play on the Haymaker Stage at Broadway and 4th Street. Meanwhile, the danceable Float Like a Buffalo takes the Firestarter Stage at 2nd and Wall Street at 4 p.m., followed by singer, multi-instrumentalist and spoken word artist Celisse at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Lettuce headlines at 9 p.m., after Pepper delivers its Kona-dub-rock sonics — a blend of reggae, alternative rock, island rhythms and punky spirit at 6:30 p.m. Paul Cauthen headlines the Haymaker Stage at 5 p.m., with Kyle Hollingsworth Band playing at 2 p.m. Other Saturday bands include Dumpstaphunk, one of New Orleans’ funkiest bands, at 3:30 p.m.; the local Trees Don’t Move at 1:30 p.m., guitarist and co-founder of The String Cheese Incident Bill Nershi and his wife, Jilian Nershi, featuring Jason Hann at 5 p.m. and the bluegrass tunes of Danger Mountain at 8 p.m.

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Sunday’s Bloodies and Brass Brunch features Big Sam’s Funky Nation — plus complimentary brunch bottomless bloodies, mimosas and a full bar with the day’s ticket. Big Sam’s Funky Nation’s high-energy fusion of funk, rock, hip-hop and jazz is sure to bring you back to the rich traditions of the city from which they hail: New Orleans.

“It’s a big sound with lots of horns New Orleans style to get you fired up for a great afternoon — they’re one of my favorites,” Wenninger said. “The brunch is only open to 400 people, so it’s one of the most intimate ways to see music.”

About Block Party Eagle

While Block Party Eagle began in 2015 as a series of free shows to promote a sense of community and support the local nonprofit Can Do Multiple Sclerosis, which still benefits from the event to the tune of about $10,000, Wenninger said, the level of talent has increased.

“Block Party specializes in recruiting the finest bands from some of the best names around the world from bluegrass, rock, jazz and beyond to bring vibrant energy to the festival,” said spokesperson Maria Labriola. “Colorado is on its way to becoming a globally recognized music hub with locally organized festivals like Block Party leading the shift towards more immersive, live music events. Block Party is the perfect representation of the vastness of incredibly talented artists from in and around the Rocky Mountain area, showcasing the region’s growing music scene.”

While the festival used to act as the kickoff to summer during the first weekend of June, this year, event producers moved it to the end of the summer, when they found talent was more available. For example, bassist Oteil Burbridge just came off Dead and Co.’s final tour.

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Camping at Eagle County Fairgrounds, which ranges from primitive tent and RV sites to full hook-ups, contributes to the sense of community, which Wenninger said is the entire reason they launched the festival.

“Eagle has so much access to the outdoors and great restaurants, but the one thing that was constantly missing was a large music festival,” he said. “Everyone who works for the (production) company lives in the town, so we really put our heart into bringing a top-notch music festival to Eagle, which is something you normally wouldn’t see.”

The festival draws attendees from about 30 states. Single and two-day passes are available, and VIP tickets include dedicated viewing areas, catered dinner both nights, and a full complimentary bar.

“The summer kickback element encourages festival-goers to immerse themselves in the outdoor music scene before concerts return indoors and festival season closes out for the season,” Labriola said. “It’s a weekend featuring everything Colorado does best: music, mountains, camping, beer, fun and food.”