Joan Jett & The Blackhearts At Riverbend June 13
Friends of the Festival has announced its final two acts for the 2014 Riverbend Festival Coca-Cola Stage, delivering a classic rocker in Joan Jett on June 13, and a new Indie Rock band in Young The Giant on June 14.
Young The Giant will perform on fireworks night, June 14th. They have performed on MTV and the most recent SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. They will be appearing at Sunfest and Firefly music festivals this year, as well. Their current single “It’s About Time” is number 3 on the Billboard Alternative Rock charts, ahead of bands like Kings of Leon, Lorde, Foster the People, Coldplay, and Imagine Dragons.
Formed in Irvine, California in 2009, the band consists of Sameer Gadhia (vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), and Francois Comtois (drummer). Their newest album was just released on January 21, 2014. “It’s About Time” is the lead single from that album.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts had their first record 34 years ago and have never looked back. With multiple platinum and gold records, Jett has been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “I Love Rock & Roll” is on Billboard Magazine’s top 100 all-time list at number 56.
As a founding member of The Runaways, Jett has appeared on many television programs, movies, and talk shows. They were on the Letterman show two weeks ago. Joan Jett is also on Rolling Stone Magazines 2003 “Top 100 Guitarist” list, coming in at number 87 and one of only two women on the list.
This completes the Coke Stage announcements for 2014, and it is shaping up to be one of the best in the 33-year history of the festival. It is also one of the most diverse, with two nights of Country with Gary Allan and Justin Moore, the biggest blues guitarist name in the world with Buddy Guy, jam band kings Widepread Panic, big-time Christian artist TobyMac, classic rockers Boston and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and Indie Rock band Young The Giant.
More side-stage announcements will be forthcoming in the next week. Tickets for Riverbend are on sale for just $35 at www.riverbendfestival.com now and at local Kangaroo Stores on May 1.
Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or catch him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/davrik2000.