Bend’s HomeGrown Music Festival is quickly becoming a marquee music event each spring, celebrating both 4/20 and the region’s rich musical tapestry. But the music never stops, so what’s this community up to in the off-season?
“The Holiday Jam came about as an idea to bring some local bands together to celebrate the holidays and to spread the word about the upcoming HomeGrown Music Festival,” tells concert organizer and local musician Scottie McClelland, best known as the eponymous Box Kid from rockers Billy and the Box Kid. “This is the first year we’ve done it,” he says, and in the future, he hopes “to make it an annual holiday event that helps spread holiday cheer with proceeds benefiting local charity.”
While the charity aspect isn’t a part of the concept this year, there’s still plenty to celebrate. “The show features long-standing Bend jam band Gbots & The Journeymen, who have been playing in Bend for over 10 years; Robot Mushroom, who was founded by three guys living at the Bunk+Brew hostel together and play uplifting folk music, perfect for the holidays; and the show will be headlined by the Spencer Marlyn Band, a looping and live percussion duo who exploded onto the scene after a memorable performance at Bend Roots Revival. Attendees will experience a lively night of music and community,” says McClelland, who also plays with Marlyn.
The Holiday Jam goes down at Silver Moon Brewing on Saturday, Dec. 14, hoping to tide you over until the third-annual HomeGrown Music Festival hits stages at Silver Moon, The Domino Room and Volcanic Theatre Pub for four days, from April 17 to 20. “The lineup will be released next month and features over 30 bands across many genres of music,” McClelland reveals.
As for this Saturday’s show, it’s a festive affair: Christmas sweaters and holiday-themed duds are highly encouraged.
This article appears in Source Weekly December 12, 2024.
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