Winter Carnival at The Waterhole Announces Music Lineup

The Waterhole Music Lounge has announced the live music lineup for their most renowned concert series, Winter Carnival at the Waterhole.

Over the course of 10 days, The Waterhole will bring 13 live musical acts to the Upstairs Music Lounge to keep Carnival goers moving & grooving as our community celebrates the 127th annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. 

Winter Carnival at The Waterhole

The 2024 lineup features 13 different bands including a plethora of fan favorites, and pairs them up with unbelievably talented opening acts that are sure to entertain and excite.

Things kick off on Friday, February 2 with Annie in the Water, well known for excitable, high energy jams, funky tones, and chill vibes. Special guests Organ FairChild from Buffalo, NY will open up the evening. This old-school organ trio has dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming.

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression make their first Winter Carnival appearance on Saturday, February 3. This groove-hardy trip of soul music filtered through a vivacious, and sometimes lush, modern lens, a  psychedelic soundscape that exemplifies truth in music’s ability to shake up the establishment. This band will make the journey to the North from their hometown in Lexington, Kentucky, a follow up appearance at The Waterhole after the crowd fell in love with their sound at a Party on the Patio performance in 2023.  

Los Blancos are the perfect compliment to the Saturday night bill. This band has been playing the Waterhole since the creation of the Upstairs Music Lounge in 1991. They rip through blues, soul, zydeco, and with  their bottomless bag of tricks they always get the party started.

Winter Carnival at The Waterhole

Wednesday, February 7 Hayley Jane returns to the Waterhole with her new band. Known for her emotive and memorizing performances, her vocals have a delicacy that touches the heart and also a raw power that can drive one into a frenzy. Open and honest, she chooses words that are both brazen and playful as she spills secrets onto the stage, spinning them into a web of burred lines. 

Giovanina Bucci, who was born and raised in Plattsburgh and a dear friend of Hayley Jane will open up the night. Her musical style is nothing short of eclectic. Rooted in blues, soul, and folk, she writes  about the intimate experiences that have shaped her as a human and as a songstress showcasing her unique guitar style and sultry delivery. 

Thursday, February 8 features The Strictly Hip: Masters of The Tragically Hip. The band takes an almost academic approach to performing the music of Canada’s most popular band, performing with  reverence, respect and accuracy.  

Friday, February 9 Bellas Bartok & Folkfaces partner up for an  energetic and bedazzling co-bill that is sure to keep concert goers dancing the night away. Bella’s Bartok live shows are a theatrical mix of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and the ‘Rocky Horror Picture’ show with a mesmerizing mix of Eastern European, Americana, punk and pop music. Folkfaces are a rowdy, roots quartet that takes its influence from weird  old American music, offering an energetic variety show and traveling music review. The band explores a wide range of genres including  country, blues, traditional jazz, rock & roll, honkey tonk, western swing,  bluegrass, old-time, jug band and more. 

Saturday, February 10 features two different shows – the first being the Post Parade Party. This day time show takes place immediately after the parade ends, and is well known as the biggest dance party of the entire year, plus its a free show headlined by another fan favorite, The Big Takeover.

Led by the powerhouse, Jamaican-born singer and songwriter NeeNee Rushie, The Big Takeover’s horn-powered global blend reveals deep fluency in reggae and world music, hints of soul and Motown, and their  own infectious brand of pop classicism. Saranac Lakers will recognize The Big Takeover from their late night performance at the 2022 Northern Current Community Music Festival.  

Later that evening, another show awaits Carnival goers. Fan favorite, West End Blend returns with funk and SOUL. Fronted by vocalist Erica Tracy Sullivan, WEB plays homage to classic throwback sounds  while adding their own distinct vibe and flair. Behind her, the blend packs a four-piece horn section, two guitars bass, keyboards, and drums  onto stages every night. From humble beginnings in an epic sweaty  funky basement dance party, the Blend’s goal has always been to bring  that same atmosphere to every show ever since. 

Opening up for WEB will be All Night Boogie Band – hailing form the Green Mountains of Vermont, this band closed out the 2023 Party on the Patio 2023 season with a bang, and were thus invited to play during Winter Carnival. Think massive soulful vocals, big horns; and a  powerfully tight rhythm section that creates a powerful and emotional  blues that will make you shake your hips. 

Winter Carnival at The Waterhole

And last but certainly not least, Jatoba returns to the Carnival Lineup on Bloody Mary Sunday, February 11. This free day time show happens in the downstairs bar and will mark the band’s first Waterhole show  since 2014. Jatoba sounds like groove-grass with quick bluegrass tempos driven by  thumping and rockabilly-like bass lines, accentuated with soaring three part vocal harmonies. On top of this, they add effect-driven guitar solos, heavy rhythmic improvisation, beat boxing and even the occasional sitar  interlude. 

If you don’t want to miss a single beat of Winter Carnival at The Waterhole, consider purchasing a Week Pass for $76. This pass guarantees access to every ticketed event and saves you $24. Tickets are available for purchase on the Waterhole website saranaclakewaterhole.com and in person by stopping into the bar. As always, the Waterhole is a 21+ venue. 

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