Music Vibes
From century-old churches to riverfront amphitheaters, hear some great local and national talent across Central Oregon.
BY Gregg Morris
As Central Oregon’s popularity grows in tourism and new transplants, so does its music scene. Local music lovers welcome the rise in large and small events and the diverse range of artists that follow. National touring musicians now include stops in Bend, Sisters and Redmond on their routes crisscrossing the country, and festival organizers recognize the potential to showcase Central Oregon venues, views and adventures to festivalgoers. As the word spreads more and more, vacationers come to town to spend the days on the trails and catch a post-adventure show.
Music Venues
Almost every restaurant, brewery and food cart area offers live music throughout the summer and fall. Silver Moon Brewing has three stages and often has multiple acts performed on the same night. Bend Brewing Company’s riverfront location allows patrons to grab a beer or food and catch a band in one of the most beautiful locales in downtown Bend. The Barn in Sisters and On Tap in Bend offer rows of food carts and a line of beer taps alongside hundreds of performances each year.
Get ready for a summer and fall filled with unforgettable music experiences in Central Oregon. The region's full-time music venues, including Bend’s Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Redmond’s General Duffy’s Waterhole and The Belfry in Sisters, are gearing up to host a lineup of national artists that will leave you breathless. Hayden Homes Amphitheater, nestled where the Deschutes River flows through Bend’s Old Mill District, is set to kick off the season with a bang, featuring LCD Soundsystem, Vampire Weekend, Tyler Childers and the Dave Matthews Band. General Duffy’s Waterhole, known for its Redmond beer garden, is bringing a mix of rising stars like Bryan Martin and old-school favorites such as 38 Special, Trace Adkins and Smashmouth. The Belfry, a unique venue housed in a century-old former church on Main Street, promises intimate performances by renowned artists like Peter Rowan in June and Sarah Shook & the Disarmers in July. The excitement is palpable, and you wouldn't want to miss out on these electrifying shows.
Festivals
Central Oregon’s list of multi-day festivals has grown exponentially over the last five years in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters. Bend’s 4 Peaks Music Festival is kicking off the season, held at the Stevenson Ranch yearly over the summer solstice weekend. This family-friendly event includes camping, a Kidlandia play area, and vendors while Neal Francis and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country headline their multiple stages. Redmond’s Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center is welcoming back the Fairwell Festival for its second year in July with award-winning headliners Billy Strings, Caamp, and Brandi Carlile. Then, in September, the Cascade Equinox Festival transforms the fairgrounds into an inspiring art and musical playground with headliners Jungle, Clozee, STS9, Liquid Stranger and Marc Rebillet.
Also in September, the hugely popular Sisters Folk Festival declares, “All The Town’s A Stage,” as they bring diverse artists to transform the sleepy cowboy town of Sisters. They have spent the last 29 years cultivating a listener-forward atmosphere with some of the most talented musicians in the world. If you lean more towards enjoying free community festivals packed with local musicians, then September’s Bend Roots Revival is the place to be. Any donations collected at this creative, unique, volunteer-powered festival support local arts education annually.
Local Artists
While you’re out and about at Bend Roots Revival or having a beer at the food carts, look for some local bands making a name for themselves in the area and beyond. The Hasbens are a local improvisational jam band, while TEB is an Americana fusion, songwriting-forward band. Both push musicianship while testing the limits of well-crafted songs. Fractal leans towards electronica, and the up-and-coming grunge punk band Not Your Ex Lover has begun to make waves throughout town. If you want to settle in with a singer-songwriter, try indie-folk artist Alicia Viani or soulful balladeer Joel Chadd.
B.Y.O. Music
If you remembered to pack your acoustic guitar and want some stage experience, many bars host open mic nights for interested performers. In Bend, Bunk + Brew on Mondays, The Commons on Tuesdays, M & J Tavern on Wednesdays and Silver Moon Brewing on Sundays usually see lively and supportive crowds. And, for the singers, karaoke can be found on rotating nights at Lava Lanes, Astro Lounge, Big E’s Sport Bar & Grill, and Corey’s Bar and Grill.
So, check out a local listing when planning your trip to Central Oregon and upgrade your adventure with some music!
Venues
Hayden Homes Amphitheater (BendConcerts.com)
Festivals
Local Artists
Open Mic & Karaoke spots
