“As someone born and raised in Hamilton, the recent revitalization of the city has been awe-inspiring to witness. Getting the opportunity the last few summers to perform with my band at RiversEdge has always been a highlight of my year and it’s a great opportunity to reconnect with family and old friends,” said David Shaw, frontman of The Revivalists.
David Shaw also will serve as Hamilton’s mayor for a day on Sept. 7. In honor of Shaw and his band, the city will be nicknamed Jam!lton on that day.
In 2015, Shaw worked with city officials to establish David Shaw’s Big River Get Down as an annual event. Since the inception of the festival, David Shaw’s Big River Get Down has donated more than $100,000 to the community. All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Hamilton’s Fourth of July fireworks and RiversEdge Amphitheater to provide free concerts at the venue each summer.
“The Big River Get Down serves as a way to help increase the profile of Hamilton, while bringing something unique directly to the people of the city. Over the coming years we hope to sustain and grow this event along with the continuing renaissance of Hamilton to bolster the economy and provide yet another pillar of confidence and pride for the community,” Shaw said.
Headlined by The Revivalists, the now nationally recognized Big River Get Down music festival will begin when the doors open at 2 p.m. Saturday. The 2019 Big River Get Down lineup will also feature The War And Treaty, Brent Cobb, Southern Avenue, Neal Francis and Chris Gelbuda.
“We look at several dozen, if not hundreds of bands to try to put on this line up, and you have six slots … There’s quite an anticipation of everybody looking forward to this event. It’s not just from Hamilton, it’s across the country. To me, getting the initial announcement out there, letting people know what we’ve been working hard on for the past six months is exciting. Then, the festival itself, and getting everybody here, it’s like a giant family reunion,” said Adam Helms, director of resident services for Hamilton.
Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez
Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez
Overlooking the Great Miami River, Hamilton’s signature music festival “David Shaw’s Big River Get Down Presented by Miller Lite” is expected to sell out. Tickets are $38 in advance and $50 the day of the show. Additionally, 250 VIP tickets with two different VIP-level ticket packages are available this year, which include Shaw’s VIP performance on Friday night.
A VIP ticket that includes David Shaw’s acoustic show on Friday, September 6, VIP Deck and stagefront access, a t-shirt and autographed poster is $150; and a VIP ticket with (these features, plus) a meet and greet is $250.
This year marks the fifth for the annual Big River Get Down and the eighth consecutive year that The Revivalists have performed at RiversEdge. Shaw graduated from Hamilton High School in 2001. He currently resides in New Orleans.
Shaw and The Revivalists have appeared on television shows, such as the “Today Show,” “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and “Conan O’ Brien” to perform their No. 1 radio hit “Wish I Knew You.” The band has been named as one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists You Need to Know.” In addition to an extensive touring schedule, the band released their latest album, Take Good Care last fall. Playing at major music festivals and venues, the band also will return to Red Rocks Amphitheatre to perform on Saturday, Sept. 21.
“As The Revivalists keep getting bigger and more popular, the festival seems to be getting bigger and more popular. It’s always been popular in Hamilton, because David’s from here, and he has a lot of friends and family, and people in Hamilton who support him …The Big River Get Down was the first event where we really noticed people traveling long distances to come to Hamilton. In 2016, we started seeing people coming from Key West, Florida and California, basically, all four corners of the United States,” Helms said.
Past performers at David Shaw’s Big River Get Down include The Revivalists, The Record Company, Marcus King, Samantha Fish, The Wild Feathers, Andy Frasco & The UN, The Main Squeeze, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Maggie Koerner and others.
HOW TO GO
What: David Shaw's Big River Get Down Presented by Miller Lite
When: Saturday, Sept. 7, doors open at 2 p.m. Music will begin at 3 p.m.
Admission: General admission tickets are $38 in advance; $50 day of the show, if available. (Plus, applicable ticketing fees.) Buy tickets here.
More info: www.bigrivergetdown.com. Connect with The Revivalists online at www.therevivalists.com. Food vendors will be located along Dayton Street. In case of rain, the festival will move to Market Street, under the parking garage.
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