The Tahoe Joy Festival presents the 3rd annual free benefit music festival on Sunday, June 8, from noon to 6 p.m. at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Attendees can look forward to a day filled with incredible music, delicious food and a vibrant community atmosphere, according to a press release.
The Tahoe Joy Festival is a free, one-day benefit music festival showcasing 10 regional bands and student musicians, more than 30 local artisan vendors, food and beverage trucks and family-friendly activities hosted by community environmental organizations. The Tahoe Joy Festival raises awareness and funds for local nonprofits with this year’s recipient, the Tahoe Truckee School of Music.
This year’s line-up features headliner Peter Joseph Burtt and The Kingtide. Their music incorporates elements of blues, folk, reggae and traditional African instrumentation. A Kings Beach resident for more than 25 years, Burtt has collaborated with Americana artist Eric Lindell and has performed at prestigious venues such as the Great American Music Hall and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, according to the release.
Hailing from the North Shore is Tahoe City’s Matt Axton and his band Badmoon. Axton has appeared with Leftover Salmon and has opened for Paul Cauthern and Midland. He tours nationally with his original mountain soul, country rock- and-roll while also paying homage to his family legacy with classic Axton hits.
The Tahoe Joy Festival, now in its third year, was the brainchild of Axton. The festival’s name gives homage to Axton’s father and musician Hoyt Axton’s biggest hit, “Joy to the World” (‘Jeremiah was a bullfrog’) and Axton’s inspiration to spread a little more “Joy” in North Lake Tahoe through music.
“My family has been a supporter of the Tahoe music community for years,” said Axton in the release. “I wanted to do my part to continue the Axton legacy of celebrating musicians and The Tahoe Joy Festival was born.”
The Tahoe Joy Festival Main Stage will see the 7-piece South Shore band Mescalito with a sound reminiscent of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Black Crowes and Little Feat. Mescalito has shared the stage with notable acts like The Mother Hips and jammed at festivals such as the High Sierra Music Festival, Hangtown Music Festival, and Golden Road Gathering. Also performing is fellow South Shore group, Lindsay and the Cheeks, voted “Best of Tahoe’s Local Band” for their former cover band Bread and Butter.
This year, Linka Moja, a Truckee musician, is making the leap from the Community Stage to the Main Stage with her full band, following a stellar acoustic performance at last year’s Tahoe Joy Festival. Moja’s classic rock infused with a modern flair blends folk melodies, rock instrumentation, and soulful rhythms landing her spots at the 2024 Ohana and Bottlerock Festivals.
Last year, TTSM student musician and Truckee native Elia Schrieber made a guest appearance on stage with The Dead Winter Carpenters. The Tahoe Joy Festival will continue to keep the tradition alive by featuring a Community Stage that highlights the performances of four Tahoe Truckee School of Music students.
