Summer Music Festival
Summer Music Festival
Ellicottville Chamber announces headliners for the July 1st-3rd weekend
ELLICOTTVILLE - As ski season winds down and the snow melts away, the anticipation of who’s playing Summer Music Festival runs high amongst both the locals and visitors who have made it a tradition to spend the July 4th holiday here in Ellicottville.
Well, the wait is over. The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, which produces the three-day music event, has finalized a banger lineup for this year’s slopeside concerts at Holiday Valley.
On Saturday, July 2nd, ticket holders will be treated to “The Voices of Classic Rock”, featuring Practically Petty, an acclaimed Tom Petty tribute band, followed by Asia featuring John Payne with special guests John Elefante, former lead singer of Kansas, and Alex Ligertwood, former lead singer of Santana.
OPENING ACT: PRACTICALLY PETTY: If you love Tom Petty, then you’ll LOVE Practically Petty! The Tom Petty tribute band has been mesmerizing audiences throughout North America since forming in the Fall of 2009. Every performance is true to the spirit and essence of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, right down to the Tom Petty look and sound. The group pride themselves on utilizing the same equipment as the Heartbreakers just so as not to leave any stone unturned. Their extensive song catalog includes all of Petty’s hits with the Heartbreakers as well as his solo work and other side projects including The Traveling Wilburys.
THE MAIN EVENT: Asia featuring John Payne will not only perform their classic hits, but will also invite John Elefante on stage to give the audience a taste of unforgettable Kansas hits. Not to be outdone, Alex Ligertwood will join Asia for their final set of the evening, jamming out to the classics of Santana.
ASIA FEATURING JOHN PAYNE: The British-American rock group band formed in 2007 following a schism in the lineup of Asia. The band is a continuation of singer and bassist John Payne’s career as the band’s frontman, which lasted from 1991 until 2006, when Asia's original 1982 lineup reunited. In December 2017, Payne and keyboardist Erik Norlander formed a new group, Dukes of the Orient, with various members and ex-members of Asia featuring John Payne as collaborators. Asia featuring John Payne remains active as a touring stage, and Ellicottville is excited to host him this summer as he performs hits such as “Go”, “Only Time Will Tell”, Who Will Stop the Rain”, “Don’t Cry”, “Sole Survivor” and “Heat of the Moment”.
JOHN ELEFANTE, FORMERLY OF KANSAS: American singer/songwriter John Elefante is an instrumentalist record producer most known for his tenure as frontman of the rock group Kansas, from 1981-1984. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, The Brotherhood. As an artist, his credits include writing and singing lead vocals on three multi-platinum albums; as producer, his albums have earned numerous GMA Dove Awards, four Grammy Awards, and ten Grammy nominations. He has maintained a close working relationship with his brother, Dino (co-writer of several Kansas songs), throughout his career. Expect hits such as “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind”,
ALEX LIGERTWOOD, FORMERLY OF SANTANA: TheScottish-English singer, guitarist and drummer is best known as the lead vocalist of Santana, with five different stints from 1979 to 1994. He is credited on songs by Santana such as "All I Ever Wanted", “You Know That I Love You”, “Winning” and “Hold On”. Santana fans will not be disappointed with Ligertwood’s high energy performance that is sure to get the crowd on their feet dancing.
In addition to these star-powered acts, the Ellicottville Chamber is proud to host the return of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra the following day, Sunday, July 3rd, which, like in years past, will include a spectacular fireworks display orchestrated to the music of the BPO.
Tickets for each evening of entertainment are $45 in advance or $55 at the gate. Pre-sale tickets, as well as VIP Sponsor Packages, will go on sale March 31st and can be purchased through the Chamber’s website, ellicottvilleny.com. For additional information, contact the Chamber at 800-349-9099 or email info@ellicottvilleny.com.