Celebrating Americana music, a good cause and, of course, Madison’s favorite clothing item, Flannel Fest is back in its third iteration.
Taking place on Nov. 5 at High Noon and partnering with the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund charity for the third year in a row, Flannel Fest is aiming to bring Americana music to the masses while raising funds and awareness for the organization.
The Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund is a nonprofit organization aimed to help members of the community, such as the elderly, those living with disabilities or families with children, who cannot afford the costs of heating and cooling their homes.
Event organizers Beth Kille and Erik Kjelland used their mutual love of music and helping others to create a benefit concert that could help these people and their families.
The event’s origins lie in an observation Kille made three years ago.Kille She was attending a show featuring The Sharrows, a band that would later perform at the first Flannel Fest, and was intrigued that the entire band was wearing flannel shirts.
From this simple fahsion choice, Kille and Kjelland created an event celebrating this comfy clothing item and the culture of laid-back music and performance surrounding it.
“You think about trying to get through the winter without heat, and it’s brutal,” Kille said. “There are families that have to choose between paying their electricity bill and eating food … it’s really critical that we help each other out.”
Kille and Kjelland’s focus on Americana music for this benefit in particular stems from the level of fun and diverse sounds found in the genre. Americana music includes influences from rock, country or folk music. Because of this diversity in sound, Flannel Fest can appeal to many different music lovers, Kille said.
For the past three years, Flannel Fest has featured six artists per year who perform at the event. This year’s event will include music from American Aquarium, The Mascot Theory, Compass Rose, The Getaway Drivers, Edward David Anderson and even Kille’s own band, Beth Kille Band.
Flannel fest’s main headliner, American Aquarium, comes all the way from North Carolina to bring their alternative rock and country sound to the High Noon Saloon. Their sound — a laid-back, natural music hybrid consisting of multiple guitarists, vocals, drums, bass and pedal steel guitar — fits perfectly in the relaxed community atmosphere of Flannel Fest.
While jamming out to Americana, festival goers also have the chance to win prizes through a raffle presented by Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool. In past years, prizes have included iPad minis, an Apple Watch and a giant 5-foot-tall ear of corn.
Stemming from the emphasis on raising money and awareness for the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund, Flannel Fest has grown and evolved into a beloved community event, but has kept the same message.
Kille also emphasized Flannel Fest as simply being a pleasant way to spend the day.
“Partly because everyone is dressed like lumberjacks when they show up, there’s this real kind of relaxed, fun atmosphere,” Kille said.
