It’s hard to imagine that October is almost here, but here we are only two weeks away from some much needed relief from the heat and the fourth annual Jam Room Music Festival, a free music festival in downtown Columbia. This year’s festival features not only an outstanding cast of local music, but one of North Carolina’s finest bands in Hiss Golden Messenger and headliner 90’s underground alt rockers Blonde Redhead. While the headliners are solid, the meat of the music at the festival comes from local and regional bands who look to fill the Fall air on Main Street.

Here are 5 Acts must see acts at the festival this year:

1. Hiss Golden Messenger– Now hailing from Durham, NC, Hiss Golden Messenger relocated from the West Coast before moving to the Triangle area and connecting with a host of like minded uber talented musicians including William Tyler, Phil and Brad Cook and others. On his latest album Lateness of Dancers, Hiss Golden Messenger made their late night debut on the David Letterman show, bringing many of his collaborators along.
2. Grace Joyner– Grace Joyner started out singing with fellow Charleston bands and Hearts & Plugs label mates Elim Bolt and Brave Baby before breaking out on her own and releasing her debut Young Fools. That EP quickly established her as one of South Carolina’s most talented artists. Now she’s working on her next release, sticking with her heartfelt lyrics and warm and calm vocal delivery style.
3. Junior Astronomers-Charlotte band Junior Astronomers have made Columbia their second home over the years, so it will be great to finally see them headline a stage at one of Columbia’s best outdoor music festivals. The indie rock band is coming off the release of their latest 7 inch release Thank You, a record that shows the veterans are still growing and writing better songs with age.
4. She Returns from War-Earlier this year I went into the studio with She Returns from War as they were recording their new album with producer Don Dixon. Dixon is an iconic name in many ways, a founder of the North Carolina triangle music scene, and someone who helped develop R.E.M.’s early sound producing them the early 80’s. He still has that same personal touch, and it comes through working hand in hand with Hunter Park’s honest songwriting.
5. Patois Counselors-Fronted by Bo White who is joined by members of Charlotte band Harvard, White recorded a couple of songs which received some label attention as he went on to form this group of outstanding musicians. Their post punk style has been welcomed regionally as they’ve already played notable shows in their Queen City hometown and a handful of shows at this years Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh.