About
Northern Current Music Festival
Northern Current is a vibrant community music festival on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend in Saranac Lake, NY, celebrating diverse musical heritages. The festival will showcase a broad array of musical styles, ranging from Afrobeat and rock to Americana and soul, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The event is designed to be an inclusive, family-friendly experience that brings people together to enjoy the very best of live music.
With local food vendors on hand to satisfy your cravings and a Kid Zone full of fun activities, this will be a day for the whole family. This is a rain or shine event, with a large tent available to ensure everyone stays dry, if needed.
Date:
Save the date Sunday, September 6th, 2026
Time:
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location:
Riverside Park, Saranac Lake, NY
Admission:
Free! (Donations greatly appreciated)
Details:
All ages welcome
Family-friendly
Free event
Rain or shine
Big tent for cover
Kids Zone:
Hosted by Play ADK, featuring fun activities for children, including a Lego Car Derby, Imagination Playground, crafts, bubbles, and more.
For more information, to volunteer, or see the full musical lineup, please visit www.northerncurrentADK.org.
The 2026 lineup:
The Psycodelics - Blending vintage soul, psychedelic rock, and infectious funk grooves, they deliver a high-energy live experience built on tight musicianship, dynamic improvisation, and an electrifying stage presence. Their sound channels the spirit of classic psych-rock while pushing into fresh, modern territory, creating a vibrant performance that keeps audiences moving from start to finish.
Driftwood - Hailing from Upstate New York, Driftwood has become one of the region’s most beloved Americana acts, known for blending folk, bluegrass, rock, and heartfelt songwriting into a powerful live show. With soaring harmonies, driving rhythms, and deeply personal storytelling, the band has built a devoted following through many years of touring.
Double Tiger - The reggae and dub project of producer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Jay Spaker, is known for his work with John Brown’s Body and Dub-Stuy Records. Fusing roots reggae, dub, dancehall, and soulful melodies, Double Tiger’s music balances conscious lyrics with deep grooves and heavyweight sound system energy. His acclaimed releases and collaborations with reggae legends have made him a standout voice in modern reggae.
Jembaa Groove - A seven-piece Afro-soul and Afro-jazz band known for hypnotic grooves, rich horn arrangements, and uplifting performances. Jembaa Groove creates a deeply rhythmic and danceable sound that celebrates cultural connection, joy, and musical exploration co-founded in late 2020 by German bassist and producer Yannick Nolting and Ghanaian singer and percussionist Eric Owusu. Their music is a cross-continental blend of traditional West African Highlife and Wassoulou music infused withthe energy of Berlin’s underground jazz and soul scene.
Ma’am - Mangles outlaw-spirited alt-country with greasy garage rock. Their singular approach to country music comes alive through thunderous floor toms, blaring Memphis-style horns, gritty guitar tones, and tube amps that sound ready to explode at any moment. Hailing from central Pennsylvania, Ma’am creates their own wild concoction of “country junk” that leaves bottles empty and honky-tonk hearts full.
The Sven Curth (huge) Trio- This local band brings an adventurous mix of jazz, improvisation, and genre-bending musicianship to the Northern Current stage. Known throughout the ADK music community for their spontaneous live performances, the “trio” delivers a unique set shaped by collaboration, groove, and exploration.
The Allens - This local act is made up of several beloved community members, including two musicians who share a last name but are not related. Known for their heartfelt songwriting and sound rooted in folk and Americana traditions, The Allens have become a must-see band in the North Country music scene thanks to their strong community ties and engaging performances.
Interactive Projections by The Station - The festival will once again feature interactive visual projections by The Station, transforming Riverside Park into a vibrant multimedia experience as the sun sets and gives way to night.
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, email northerncurrentadk@gmail.com.
