The Ben Shirk Prawject
Mills Family Band
Nucleus Trio
the Signature Move
UZO
Space Boogie
And Even More Special Guests You Don’t Want To Miss!
the ben shirk prawject
There is no better way to start the festivities than with this band. They’ve been performing at The FEST since day one. The BSP will weave together a set of music that will surprise and delight all who arrive early enough to see what they have in store. Their selections are so secretive they don’t know exactly what they’re going to play until the set begins. The band is led by the one and only Ben Shirk and will welcome a variety of guest performers to the stage. You may see a rotating cast of players. Some will be classic members Larry Shirk on piano and Steve Mitchell on drums and organ. Some will be newcomers. We’ll all just have to wait to see what they have up their sleeves for this special reunion.
mills family band
The Mills Family Band brings together a silky blend of country and bluegrass with splashes of jazz and rock n’ roll. The group is lead by brother and sister Allyson and Curtis Mills. The Fest wouldn’t be the same without their lovely voices filling the hillside. MFB has been joined by an array of special guests during past performances at The Fest. Their most notable set was at The Life in 2010 when they collaborated with fan favorite Samson Trinh and his amazing big band. Together they performed a complete set of tunes from The Beatles’ “White Album”. We are excited to have them back.
nucleus trio
This Richmond, VA-based ensemble is uniquely capable of fusing a variety of styles. They are joining The FEST in 2026 for the first time and we couldn’t be more eager to hear what they present. There is a tradition with this event for exciting musicians to head up to Pennsylvania from Virginia and deliver something unexpected. We’ve been checking them out for a while and believe they will be the perfect trio to continue that tradition. The group features Zack Cross on keyboards, Grady Tollison on bass, and Aaron Zarrow on drums. They are known for performing a mix of jazz standards, modern covers, and originals. A typical Nucleus Trio set could include anything from Miles Davis to Miley Cyrus.
Their recently released debut album “Nucleiii” is out now!
The signature move
The Signature Move is making their debut at The Fest. They have a special connection to the host Steve Mitchell. A version of this group performed at Steve’s GR Mitchell retirement party in 2019. They developed a mutual affection for Steve’s favorite band Little Feat. That swamp funk rock n’ roll became their signature style as they continue to play in Richmond, Virginia. The lead vocals are split between the two guitarists Ryan Clarke and Brandon “Boogie” Martin. Their set features a wide variety of what they call “Grocery Store Bangers”; those often forgotten about classics that make you proclaim “Oh yeah!” when you’re gathering things at the store. They have a handful of original tunes that fit right into the mix. You’ll find yourself grooving along and wondering, “Where do I know this song from?” You don’t have to worry about it. It’s just that old time-a Rock n’ Roll.
uzo
This band is no stranger to The Fest. They have played 100 mph blistering jams on these grounds since nearly the beginning. The entire event launched into a new stratosphere as soon as they joined in the event. Local guitar wizard Tom Patti spearheads this fiery group and is accompanied by his brother Brendan who mystifies on the bass guitar and drummer Adam Nicodemus who supplies a tight backdrop for these fusion freaks to land on when they come back down to earth. When these fellas take the stage, buckle up. Their mind-bending instrumental compositions make you feel like you’re riding a rollercoaster by combining funk, jazz, and heavy fusion influences. Complex yet danceable funk rhythms and searing solos summarize a live UZO experience. Nearing 20 years of band circuit performances, UZO has branded their mark throughout the Eastern PA stomping grounds as a late night festival favorite.
space boogie
There are many beautiful things about The Fest. Some of these things are the surprises that happen. We considered keeping this one a secret, but that would have been unfair. You need time to prepare. SPACE BOOGIE is coming the THE FEST 2026!
Space Boogie is a Richmond, Virginia based group that focuses on the music of Jeff Beck. Bassist Rusty Farmer is responsible for putting this group together and bringing them north to headline The Fest 2026. He is joined by Corey Wells on guitar who is known to launch spectacles of sonic fireworks. Keyboardist Bill Grishaw adds synth-filled solos and Mark Henderson locks it all down masterfully on the drums. This band emerges only on rare occasions like an eclipse or a comet. Like those cosmic events, Space Boogie will ignite wonder, excitement, and dance.
