Greensburg Music Fest is back with free lineup of 10 bands

Aug. 24—The fifth annual Greensburg Music Fest will rock the city Saturday with bands performing on multiple stages beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Admission is free for the all-ages sets by 10 diverse local and touring artists who will play in succession through 9:30 p.m.

Presented by the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, the entertainment will kick off on two outdoor stages at the Helman-Ghrist parking lot on North Main Street.

Pittsburgh-born guitarist and singer Elias Khouri will offer an additional free concert in the Cultural Trust's nearby Palace Theatre with a blend of funk, soul and rock 'n' roll.

"We are featuring many bands and performing artists that are new to WCT special events which will supply fresh musical content and some unique digital tie-ins on social media," said Teresa Baughman, Cultural Trust interim CEO.

Headlining the festival is Daisy the Great. The indie rock and pop group hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., features the dual lead vocal harmonies of Kelley Nicole Dugan and Mina Walker.

They've been releasing recordings since 2017 and have stopped in Pittsburgh a few times on tour. Their band has enjoyed national TV exposure with appearances on ABC's New Year's Eve 2021 telecast and last year on Kelly Clarkson's talk show. An inaugural European tour begins Aug. 30 in Slovenia.

The group released its latest album, "All You Need Is Time," in 2022 and is working on an EP.

They'll be performing as a four-piece band in Greensburg, where the audience can expect to hear their latest single, "Tough Kid."

Pittsburgh-based Noa Jordan presents her own brand of indie rock and pop with a self-described "slight summer twang."

A native of Beaver County, Jordan grew up hearing her parents' 1970s playlists: progressive rock from her father and singer-songwriter staples from her mother.

Experience she gained, including time spent in Nashville, has brought added maturity to her songwriting, she said.

"There are a lot of themes of losing relationships (whether through death or through someone walking away), that subsequent grief, losing yourself and your voice — but also finding yourself again," said Jordan. "We all need to be reminded that what we're feeling isn't just normal, it's OK, and we are never alone."

"Sunlight" is her latest single. She records her songs in Nashville and is planning to release a full-length album next year, her first since 2015.

Members of PACK, most of whom hail from Westmoreland County, will be performing their form of alternative pop-rock in their own backyard.

Guitarists Josh Fiedler and Scott Mellinger live in Hempfield and Latrobe, respectively. Bass player Chris Fafalios also is a Hempfield resident. Drummer Justin Niedzwecki lives near White Oak, and singer Kelly Tobias hails from East Liberty.

The group members have affiliations with other area bands. Fiedler also plays with The Juliana Theory, Fafalios with Punchline, and Mellinger with Zao. Tobias was a vocalist with Big Hurry.

They've found common ground in PACK, which grew out of several of the members playing together for a Tom Petty tribute event in 2017.

"All of us have such diverse backgrounds in what we listen to," said Mellinger. "We got into the groove of writing songs with a similar vision. What it boils down to is good rock songs."

PACK's 2021 EP, "Buying Up All Your Grey," includes "Nuclear Love Song" and "Broke and Breathless," for which they've released a video. At the Greensburg festival, they might mix in some new songs with their established material.

Food trucks and local vendors will be on hand during the festival.

VIP option available

Greensburg Music Fest attendees can opt for a VIP experience by getting a wristband — $12 in advance through the event page at thepalacetheatre.org or $15 at the festival.

The wristband provides premium reserved seating for the Khouri concert and additional access to The Palace Theatre and the adjoining Megan's Suite and S&T Bank Courtyard, with air conditioning, an outdoor lounge and indoor restrooms.

Band wearers will have access to a full bar including well liquor and will receive a $1 discount on all drinks at Cultural Trust bars and a reusable cup for bringing drinks into the theater. An outside bar will feature only beer, wine and seltzers.

VIP patrons also will be able to attend a karaoke after-party in the courtyard with Brenda Lynn.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .