(Columbia, SC) — One of Columbia’s signature music traditions is getting a new stage. After more than a decade on Main Street, Jam Room Music Festival (JRMF) will make its Finlay Park debut on Saturday, November 15, coinciding with the park’s monumental grand re-opening weekend.
Presented by the Jam Room Foundation — with support from the City of Columbia and Richland County — the free, family-friendly festival will showcase live performances from ten local, regional, and national acts on two stages, including Finlay Park’s brand-new amphitheater, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“Jam Room Music Festival has always been about celebrating Columbia’s music culture and bringing people together downtown,” said JRMF Executive Director Jay Matheson. “We’re thrilled to bring the festival to Finlay Park and to be part of the opening weekend festivities. Touring the park this summer, we saw firsthand how the updates will make it an incredible asset for Columbia’s arts community and launch a new era of concerts in the park.”
Early highlights from this year’s lineup include:
- Steve Ray Ladson | Fresh off his golden-buzzer moment on America’s Got Talent, the Hopkins, SC native brings a powerful blend of blues, soul, country, and R&B to the hometown crowd.
- Silkworm | The cult indie-rock band, celebrated in a 2013 documentary with tributes from Steve Albini, Jeff Tweedy, and Stephen Malkmus, reunited this year for their first shows since 2005 and continue the run at JRMF.
Additional artists will be announced at a fundraising lineup-preview event at WeCo Bottle and Biergarten on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Located within walking distance of the Main Street District and The Vista, Finlay Park offers festival-goers easy access to Columbia’s dining and nightlife — with the Lincoln Street tunnel connecting visitors directly to the Vista.
The festival will also feature local food trucks and children’s focused programming to kick off the festival at 12 p.m.
Partner Events
- Thursday, November 6 | Jam Room Music Festival x Nickelodeon Theater x Scratch and Spin Records Present: It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley — From Academy Award®-nominated director Amy Berg. One special screening at The Nick. Tickets on sale soon at nickelodeon.org.
- Friday, November 14 | Jam Room Music Fest Kickoff Concert at Art Bar | Lineup TBA.
For sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, please email JamRoomMusicFestival.com
