LABOR DAY MUSIC FEST

Labor Day Preview

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY PHOTOS BY GARRETT CARDOSO & COURTESY OF THE STEWS, THE BANK WALKERS & ROBERT GUNN

Hotel Fiction

The Stews

This year's Labor Day music event will move from The Amp to Russell Crossroads

The annual Labor Day Music Fest is switching venues this year and looks to be a promising way, as usual, to close out the remaining days of the summer. Instead of having the concert at the Lake Martin Amphitheater, it’ll be on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads and will feature four bands instead of two over the span of two nights. Admission will be free. The two-day event will feature Supper Club, The Stews, The Bank Walkers and Hotel Fiction.

Starting the event off strong on Friday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m. will be Supper Club. Supper Club is a relatively new band from Auburn that is beginning to fill up their schedule with gigs. Following their performance at Russell Crossroads, the band will hit the road and play another show in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October.

Following Supper Club’s set list, The Stews, another band based out of Auburn, will take the stage at 8 p.m. to bring you some of their

Trock genre-based songs. This band has been pretty busy over the summer with shows all over, including, most recently, shows in Macon and Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Birmingham, Alabama. You don’t want to miss this band closing out the first night of the event. On Saturday, Sept. 3, concertgoers will return to the Town Green at 6:30 p.m. for one of Lake Martin’s fan favorites, The Bank Walkers. The Bank Walkers, made up of local musicians with 9-to-5 day jobs, have made an impact on the Lake Martin area with their year-round gigs and have become a source for a good time and great music that you won’t want to miss. To close out the fun-filled Labor Day celebration, Hotel Fiction, a duo based out of Athens, Georgia, will take to the stage and introduce the audience to their unique sound based around their indie, pop and rock playlist. You don’t want to miss the sound of Jade and Jess as they share some of their songs from their debut album, Soft

Focus, and rock the Town Green. Keep an eye out on the group as they are continuing to make new music, some of which they might share on the stage at Russell Crossroads.

The Town Green at Russell Crossroads has been a place for people to come together and enjoy a night filled of music for more than a decade now, and the upcoming Labor Day celebration continues the tradition.

According to Robert Gunn, director of events and marketing operations for Russell Lands, the move has allowed for the event to expand and offer an even bigger celebration with more music. Though event coordinators are unsure if the annual event will permanently be at Russell Crossroads, they are eager to see how the public enjoys the change of scenery and the increased number of performers.

Along with the Town Green where the celebration will be held, Russell Crossroads is home to Catherine’s Market, a great location for an easy dinner and a great bottle of wine. Catherine’s Market will be open during the Labor Day Music Fest, so if you happen to get hungry while you’re enjoying a night of music and fun, head on over across the street and see what yummy treats you can find. “We’ll also have a food truck set up for the event,” Gunn said.

If you want to take the meal into your own hands, pack a picnic for you and your family and friends to enjoy. It’s welcome at the Town Green. Dogs are also welcome to attend the event as long as they’re on a leash.

The free event is the perfect way to close out the last few lingering days of summer, so head out to Russell Crossroads to enjoy the celebration for a weekend to remember.

The Bank Walkers Supper Club