Just like the great white sharks have returned to Cape Cod, so too has the second annual Cape Cod Roots and Blues Festival. Nassuet Beach in Orleans, Massachusetts will yet again be the spot of what has quickly become one of the Cape’s premier events. The Cape Cod Roots & Blues Festival is the brain child of Garrett Dutton (AKA G Love), the front man from G love & Special Sauce. A man who has his own hot sauce (G Love’s Special Hot Sauce), and a beer made by GoodLife Brewing Company ( G Love’s Special Sauce – The Juice IPA), now has his own annual festival. After moving to the Cape, he wanted to not only bring together the community, but also bring together some very well known musicians/friends to play, while still having that small town Cape Cod feel.
This family fun event is also getting a face lift with a bigger stage, and to the festival infrastructure itself for an even better experience. This just goes to show that this event is not only here to stay, but will also keep getting bigger and better. The curators of the Cape Cod Roots & Blues Festival have thought of everything to make this a nice family day for all, even the event date itself. Happening on September 14, 2019 which is after labor day when things like traffic and hotel and rental rates have dropped down. This will help to keep your costs and stress levels down so you can fully enjoy your day/weekend. Make sure to get your tickets now at capecodrootsandblues.com and check out the VIP tickets for an intimate night of music with G Love the night before the festival! Like last year, I got the chance to ask G Love some questions about the event and here is what he had to say…
Q. What was your favorite part of last year’s festival?
I think the moment I pulled around the dunes on to the site with banners flying and the huge stage at Nauset Beach. Ripe was onstage jamming and I was blown away with this euphoric feeling. I remember thinking – “Wow we pulled it off. It actually looks like a real music festival.”
Q. What are some of the things you are excited about with the change in infrastructure this year?
To us as a second year festival we are all about improving the experience for the fans. To that end we have added 5 more food trucks, more shaded/covered areas, easier access to water stations and beer, a larger kids tent area, and more bathrooms. Also this year once you’re ID’d you can purchase beer and drink anywhere within the festival – not just in the beer tent. The fire and police departments in the town of Orleans have been so welcoming and helpful to ensure that everyone is safe and have a great family day of music and fun.
Q. What are some of the challenges of having a festival on the beach?
The biggest challenge for us has been parking, though the town of Orleans has been very helpful with that. While there is some parking on site, we have multiple parking areas off the beach and will be shuttling all day to get people to and from their vehicles. We would really encourage everyone to ride their bikes, walk or take an Uber/Lyft or carpool as well!
Q. What should attendees expect when they come to CCRB festival?
The musical performances are the driving force of the experience for sure, but this is also a community event meant to bring the towns and the people of the greater Cape Cod together for a family-friendly day of music, food and fun. The musical lineup is just incredible this year. Due to the success of last year we are able to bring even bigger names like Mihali of Twiddle, Chad Stokes and The Pintos of Dispatch, Citizen Cope returns and of course G. Love and Special Sauce.
Q. How did Orleans and the surrounding town respond after last year’s festival?
I’m pretty sure overall the stoke factor was extremely high. And from the buzz around town this summer I think people are twice as excited for year 2! There’s a huge community of live music supporters on the Cape. I know this because of the success of the terrific music venues like The Beachcomber and Payomet, and the Cape Cod Jazz Fest at Wequassett. I felt there was an opportunity to bring even more international acts to the place we love the most. The festival sold out in advance last year so I feel like we just delivered something that the music lovers on the Cape had been wanting to see happen.
Q. Where would you like to see this festival going in the future? Do you see it becoming a multiple day event on a larger scale, or do you want to keep it on a smaller homegrown scale?
I would first love to see the festival extend to two days in 2020. The extra day would enable us to have more acts. I would also like to have two stages next year so that we can get some more local homegrown Cape Cod musicians involved. This summer we are expanding the capacity to 5k people up from 2800 people last year. I think we will have to see what the sweet spot is for capacity and infrastructure.
I think the moment I pulled around the dunes on to the site with banners flying and the huge stage at Nauset Beach. Ripe was onstage jamming and I was blown away with this euphoric feeling. I remember thinking – “Wow we pulled it off. It actually looks like a real music festival.”
Q. What are some of the things you are excited about with the change in infrastructure this year?
To us as a second year festival we are all about improving the experience for the fans. To that end we have added 5 more food trucks, more shaded/covered areas, easier access to water stations and beer, a larger kids tent area, and more bathrooms. Also this year once you’re ID’d you can purchase beer and drink anywhere within the festival – not just in the beer tent. The fire and police departments in the town of Orleans have been so welcoming and helpful to ensure that everyone is safe and have a great family day of music and fun.
Q. What are some of the challenges of having a festival on the beach?
The biggest challenge for us has been parking, though the town of Orleans has been very helpful with that. While there is some parking on site, we have multiple parking areas off the beach and will be shuttling all day to get people to and from their vehicles. We would really encourage everyone to ride their bikes, walk or take an Uber/Lyft or carpool as well!
Q. What should attendees expect when they come to CCRB festival?
The musical performances are the driving force of the experience for sure, but this is also a community event meant to bring the towns and the people of the greater Cape Cod together for a family-friendly day of music, food and fun. The musical lineup is just incredible this year. Due to the success of last year we are able to bring even bigger names like Mihali of Twiddle, Chad Stokes and The Pintos of Dispatch, Citizen Cope returns and of course G. Love and Special Sauce.
Q. How did Orleans and the surrounding town respond after last year’s festival?
I’m pretty sure overall the stoke factor was extremely high. And from the buzz around town this summer I think people are twice as excited for year 2! There’s a huge community of live music supporters on the Cape. I know this because of the success of the terrific music venues like The Beachcomber and Payomet, and the Cape Cod Jazz Fest at Wequassett. I felt there was an opportunity to bring even more international acts to the place we love the most. The festival sold out in advance last year so I feel like we just delivered something that the music lovers on the Cape had been wanting to see happen.
Q. Where would you like to see this festival going in the future? Do you see it becoming a multiple day event on a larger scale, or do you want to keep it on a smaller homegrown scale?
I would first love to see the festival extend to two days in 2020. The extra day would enable us to have more acts. I would also like to have two stages next year so that we can get some more local homegrown Cape Cod musicians involved. This summer we are expanding the capacity to 5k people up from 2800 people last year. I think we will have to see what the sweet spot is for capacity and infrastructure.
I also hope to add other creative elements to the festival like an art tent/gallery, more interactive foodie presentations or celebrity chefs and environmental awareness booths. As I said, it’s all about the experience for the fans. This festival is for them and about them. To that end I see the festival as a grass roots, homegrown event of soulful, beautiful music and family.
Thanks so much to you and everyone else for giving us a shot!
Thanks so much to you and everyone else for giving us a shot!
Best,
-Garrett
Mitchy Dread
Media Correspondent
Dance Your Face Off
