Following this month’s initial artist announcement, theme-and-logo debut and ticket on-sale, Across-the-Way Productions releases its second round of artist additions today for FloydFest 22 Heartbeat, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s award-winning, premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 27 to 31, 2022, at Milepost 170.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd.
The additions include one of rock music’s greatest female icons and multiple-GRAMMY winner Melissa Etheridge, world-class guitar phenom and soul singer-songwriter Marcus King and GRAMMY-nominated, rising roots-music star Amythyst Kiah.
Today’s artist announcements follow Across-the-Way Productions’ initial artist announcement, which included the long-awaited return of the pop, rock, R&B and jazz quintet Lake Street Dive; Floyd, Virginia-raised singer-songwriter and now national touring artist Morgan Wade; synthy-modern-soul suppliers Durand Jones & The Indications; the R&B, blues, gospel and good old-fashioned funk of Neal Francis; the spellbinding voice and time-bending sensibilities of Sierra Ferrell; the fearless falsetto and mid-60’s soul of Aaron Frazer; and 2021 FloydFest On-the-Rise Competition winner, 49 Winchester, and runner-up, Sexbruise?. The next artist reveal is slated for Dec. 2, 2021, with more to follow over the next six-plus months.
Melissa Etheridge – Undoubtedly, Melissa Etheridge is one of rock music’s great female icons. Her critically acclaimed eponymous debut album was certified double platinum, built around such memorable songs as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs” and “Ain’t It Heavy” for which she won her first GRAMMY for Best Female Rock Vocal. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am, featuring the massive hits “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” a searing song of longing that brought her a second GRAMMY. The six-times platinum album spent more than 2.5 years on the album chart. Etheridge is also an Oscar winner for Best Original Song in 2007, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Across-the-Way Productions welcomes her to our mountain for the first time for FloydFest 22 Heartbeat.
Marcus King – A half-decade ago, Across-the-Way Productions tapped this rising star to headline an exceptionally memorable Roanoke GO Fest, but, until now, Marcus King has never graced the stages of FloydFest. A 25-year-old guitar phenom and innovative songwriter, King can simultaneously switch from swaggering rock to supersonic soul, with his vocal powers taking center stage. Fresh off a Dan Auerbach-produced album and having played professionally since age 11, King is a genre-bending world-class talent, manifesting as one of the most soulful voices of his generation.
Amythyst Kiah – Recognized by Rolling Stone as “one of Americana’s great up-and-coming secrets,” GRAMMY-nominated Amythyst Kiah endlessly redefines the limits of roots music with inventive rhythms and textures, carrying an unforgettable voice that’s both unfettered and exquisitely controlled. Kiah gracefully interlaces political commentary and personal revelation, ultimately offering a raw yet nuanced examination of grief, alienation and the hard-won triumph of total self-acceptance. Across-the-Way Productions welcomes her to our mountain for the first time for FloydFest 22 Heartbeat.
FloydFest also added brand-new designs for FloydFest 22’s ‘Heartbeat’ theme to its online merchandise store.
FloydFest is located at Milepost 170.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd, Va. For more information, call (888) VA-FESTS or email info@floydfest.com.
