Big Opener Winner: The David Wax Museum
It was an amazing voting run but, in the end, The David Wax Museum came out of the scrum as the winner of the Big Opener contest. They will now join the amazing lineup of the 2010 Newport Folk Festival later this summer. We wish them all a warm congratulations, and we can't wait to catch them in Newport.
Big Opener Voting Ends June 30th!
Vote now or forever hold your peace. The Big Opener contest is winding down, and the voting has been stellar so far. The Woes, The Lighthouse & The Whaler and The David Wax Museum have garnered over 2000 votes thus far, and it's a tight race. If you haven't voted already, hit up the Big Opener voting page and tell us who should play the 2010 Newport Folk Fest.
The Big Opener is Closed
With over 150 entries to the Big Opener contest, we've finally closed the doors. The fine people at the Newport Folk Festival are currently taking a listen to each band and will be making their picks soon. On June 10th, the voting is open to all (that's you), and two weeks after that, one lucky band will be jamming on stage at the Newport Folk Festival.
Last Chance for Bands to Enter the Big Opener
Tuesday, June 1st is the deadline to enter the Big Opener. This is your last shot to be taken into consideration to play in front of thousands of fans at the Newport Folk Festival. It's also a great opportunity to play on the same stage as Jim James, The Avett Brothers, AA Bondy, Blitzen Trapper, Sam Bush and more. Think of how many people you'll impress at parties with that story. It's staggering, man! Get up on it and enter before June 1st!
The Big Opener Contest is Winding Down
June 1st is the deadline for bands to enter The Big Opener. We've received entries from more than 120 artists already! After June 1st, the organizers of the Newport Folk Festival will hand pick their 3 favorite bands and then those three will be turned over to The People for voting. After that...the winning band gets $1000 to help with expenses and heads to Newport, RI, to perform a set in front of thousands. Can you dig it?
Big Opener Update
When I was a little boy, I dreamed of playing on stage with Pearl Jam, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots (pre-heroin saga) and, strangely enough, The Dead. The potential reality of the dream didn't last long after I realized I had no musical ability to speak of, but I still imagined myself on stage with the big guns. For those of you with actual talent, like the bands who have entered the Big Opener so far, there's still a great possibility that you'll be able to play on the same stage as Yim Yames (Jim James of MMJ), John Prine, Sam Bush, The Avett Brothers, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, Richie Havens and so many more at the prestigious Newport Folk Festival.
54 And Counting...
As the temperatures outside begin to rise, so too does the number of bands that have entered our Big Opener Contest. We're up to 54 as of 4:20pm on April 20th. What we've heard has been amazing, and we can't wait to hear the winning band play in front of thousands at the Newport Folk Festival this summer, plus stuff their pockets with $1,000. Get going and send us a song!
The Big Opener Has Opened Big
Magic Hat's Big Opener contest has opened with a bang. We already have 30 bands signed up, each representing a great sound. We've seen some familiar faces, as well as many new faces, and we're psyched to be hearing all this new music. Now's your chance to get in on the contest. Our friends at the Newport Folk Festival will pick their top three bands in June and from there, the voting is turned over to the world-at-large. Winners get $1000 for expenses and get to play a set in front of thousands at the Newport Folk Festival! Give the current bands a listen, add a comment or enter today!
The Magic Hat Big Opener Contest
Magic Hat is happy to be in cahoots with the Newport Folk Festival this year. While we will be pouring our elixirs there July 30 through August 1st for a few thousand people, we want to bring a couple more of you in with us to enjoy the show. That's why we created a new contest for the summer called Magic Hat's Big Opener.