The Martin Stage Melee is a contest to find YOUR favorite artist in the Philadelphia region. 32 acts will compete in 8 sets of 4 to advance to a final round where one act will receive a coveted headlining slot on the Martin Guitar stage at the 60th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival August 18-22, 2022. Attendees in person and virtually via the livestream will be able to vote for their favorite to win! Support your favorite act or take a chance on a night of incredible new-to-you artists.
Tickets are available IN PERSON at the PFS Venue or streaming Online here at folkfest.org
All persons entering the Philadelphia Folksong Society at 6156 Ridge Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19128 must provide proof of vaccination or negative PCR test within 72 hours and wear a face mask per Philadelphia mandate starting April 18th. If the person does not have an appropriate face mask, per CDC guidelines no vented masks or gaiters, PFS will provide one. Inability to adhere to these protocols will lead to a warning then a removal without refund. PFS’ COVID protocols will be reviewed at each board meeting as the pandemic continues.
About the Artists:
THE CHEDDAR BOYS
The cheddar boys have been busking and playing shows in the Philadelphia region since 2009. They play a mix of traditional old time string band tunes, more modern covers and originals with a faster paced, bluegrass vibe. Clawhammer banjo, washboard percussion and vocal harmonies to get your toes tapping and your booty shaking!
KRISTIN BURKE
A sound engineer by trade who has helped hundreds upon hundreds of musicians sound fantastic on the mic, Kristin Burke is stepping out from behind the board to take the mic himself after a multi year hiatus. Imbuing each of his songs with the genuineness of a person who has lived each word, Kristin paints deep, dark verbal portraits of modern folk that deserve to be heard.
THE NAKED SUN
Fronted by singer-songwriter, Drew Harris, and guitarist, Tim Campbell, the Naked Sun have been a staple of the Philadelphia music scene for the past 10 years. Harris met Tim at his South Jersey home to audition, and though he wasn’t quite what Campbell was looking for Harris won Campbell over with his songs. Flash forward to today, Harris and Campbell are joined by Dylan Mulachy (Shark Tape) on drums, Tom Tusler (Claymation Horror Show) on bass, Alan Sheltzer on keys, and Bradley Moser on lead guitar.The Naked Sun is for fans of Wilco and the War on Drugs.
TURTLE RIDGE
Turtle Ridge is an acoustic duo made up of Dave Shields and Colin O’Gorman. Formed in the spring of 2021 as two fast friends coped with the pandemic, the result was something greater than the sum of its parts. Turtle Ridge is focused on bringing the sound of stripped down, soulful and earnest American folk music to the stage. Residing in Roxborough you can see them most Thursday nights at the Grape Room open mic as well as playing shows around Philadelphia at The Rusty Nail, the Grape Room and the Soundbank.
