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When hundreds of Northern Colorado bands play in dozens of Ft. Collins venues over the course of two days, it’s important to plan your route and know where you want to go well ahead of time.
KRFC is here to help with tips and DJ picks to get you started discovering something great at this year’s festival! Head to FoCoMX.org for the full schedule with bios, videos and music samples.
TIP #1 – MAKE A SCHEDULE
Sign up at http://focomx
To simplify your planning, the Fort Collins Musicians Association has made navigating their online schedule easier than ever. Adding bands to your own personal schedule actually raises their rank on FoCoMX’s homepage band leader-board.
TIP #2 – VOLUNTEER
There’s no better way to get into the spirit of a volunteer-powered, pro-musician festival than to volunteer a shift. Did we mention, volunteering 4 hours out of the festivities nets you an admission wristband for the weekend? Pretty good for a festival you were going to be at anyway, eh?
TIP #3 – BE EARLY OR BE PATIENT
The festival’s popularity has grown each year. Surprisingly, the festival organizers have managed to keep the lines outside venues from keeping pace. Still, there will be lines when venues reach capacity and there’s nothing you or anyone can do about that. Be prepared to see lines outside of venues you never dreamt would reach capacity. What’s the tip? Show up a set or two early if you have a band on your fantasy schedule that you absolutely cannot miss.
TIP #4 – DO IT FOR SCIENCE!
It’s called an experiment. Show up with a sense of wonder and prepare to have the time of your life experiencing the best music on offer from one of the most richly talented musical communities around – NORTHERN COLORADO!
KRFC’S PICKS
If you could use a helping hand to find bands you might like, start tuning in all week long to hear some of your friends and neighbors (our DJs) favorite FoCoMX 5 performers. Already know your picks? Let us have ‘em. Scroll down to the comments section.
Mondays 8 to 10 a.m., Wednesdays 10 p.m. to Midnight and Friday 6to 8 a.m.
Charlie E., NoCo Jam Show & Weekday Mix DJ
Charlie will be diving into his Northern Colorado favorites for listeners during all of his mixes. Listen for Better Than Bacon, Constitution, Dead Floyd, Futaba, Honey Gitters, Jeremy Page, Michael Kirkpatrick, Mosey West, Musketeer Gripweed, Papagoya, The Grippe, The Holler!, Tyler T. and Wasabi.
Tuesdays 3 to 6 p.m. and Sundays 4 to 6 p.m.
Dianne, Third from the Sun and Weekday Mix DJ
It’s no surprise if many of Dianne’s picks are familiar to you, they’re some of KRFC’s top spun local artists! John Magnie, The 3 Twins, Mama Lenny and the Remedy. Here’s a name you may not know: Guitarist, singer and composer Daniel Ondaro has broad and diverse musical experience. Performing in acts ranging from Opera to Blues, Brazilian to Bluegrass, Daniel’s eclectic tastes and superb musicality have won him praise in the United States, South America and Europe. Whether its performing a hot mix of north and south American music with his band NuMundo, or a quiet evening of beautiful Bossa Nova songs, Daniel’s playing, singing and writing have the ability to inspire and connect people from around the world.
Wednesdays 8 to 10 p.m.
Jeff, House Rent Party
Blues fans have plenty to look forward to at 5th annual FOCOMX festival! Start early on Friday with classic Chicago blues from the Robert Wilson Blues Band at Fort Collins Brewing. Johnny Johnston‘s set at Choice City Butcher will feature both slide and fingerstyle country blues. Over at Everyday Joe’s you can catch the blues-rock sounds of a Shockwave, a talented youth act. The lineup at Avo’s includes the Escape Goats, the 3 Twins and Cary Morin, all acts that incorporate the blues in their music.
If you are bringing kids to the festival you won’t want to miss the free harmonica lesson from Musketeer Gripweed’s Jason Downing Saturday afternoon at Everyday Joe’s. The Colorado Blues Society will provide free harmonicas for every child who participates. Out at Fort Collins Brewing, the Blues Dogs start the day at 2:30 p.m. and the Dave Dardine Project closes the stage at 7:00 p.m. Get out there and support live music!
Thursday 8 to 10 a.m.
Cynthia, Morning Mix
Lisen to Cynthia’s mix for her favorites: Cary Morin, Liz Barnez, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, John Magnie, vee device, Mama Lenny and lots more. Waking up before noon has never been so rewarding – listen in to Cynthia’s mixes for interviews and live sessions with FoCoMX artists. “[FoCoMX] is a huge undertaking on the part of the FoCoMA, and is really good for the music community.” – Cynthia
Thursdays 10 a.m. to Noon and Saturdays 4 to 6 p.m.
Scott, Routes and Branches, Weekday Mix DJ & Music Director
Routes & Branches features the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music. For our R&B listeners, Scott recommends checking out Casey James Prestwood & Burning Angels, Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams, Johnny Hickman, Mosey West, Patti Fiasco and Robert Cline Jr Band.
Scott’s playlists for his Mix feature an eclectic blend of everything he doesn’t play on his Saturday show. For Thursday Morning Mix fans, Scott recommends A Boy & His Kite, Fierce Bad Rabbit, Musketeer Gripweed, Rachel & the Kings and the Jekylls.
More than anything, Scott just recommends KRFC listeners go out and have a good time. Spend some time with your favorite bands, or play “FoCoMx Roulette” – pin the schedule on a bulletin board, make sure the path is clear, and throw some darts. Check out an artist or two you’ve never heard before.
Thursdays 1 to 3 p.m.
Terry, Weekday Mix DJ
Terry enjoys eating high on the musical hog, with picks like Better Than Bacon, Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams, Liz Barnez, Mama Lenny & The Remedy, Musketeer Gripweed, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, and Mosey West.
Fridays 10 a.m. to Noon and Saturdays 10 a.m. to Noon
Big/Grateful Steve, The Golden Age of Rock & Roll and Weekday Mix DJ
You won’t have to stray past KRFC’s own back yard (our nickname for Avogadro’s Number) to hear three of Steve’s four favorite FoCoMX sets: 3 twins, Liz Barnez, and Mosey West. John Magnie rounds out the list with a songwriter set at Choice City Butcher.
Saturdays 2 to 4 p.m.
Andrea, Rocky Mountain Breakdown
Although Andrea’s picks represent only one of our rotating bluegrass DJs tastes, her opinion carys weight around KRFC, as she is our Bluegrass genre captain. Catch her on the air this weekend. For her listeners, she picks Blue Grama Bluegrass, Rich with Friends, and The Holler! at this year’s FoCoMX.
Saturdays 6 to 8 a.m.
Norm, Runaway Fiddle
If you can hang out late and love fiddle music like Norm does, you can spend Friday Night with Blue Gramma Bluegrass 11:45pm to close at The Astoria.
Saturdays 6 to 8 p.m
Andy D., Tarnation!
If you like a high energy, danceable mix of blues, alt. country, americana and rock, then tune in to hear Andy’s picks, including Constitution, Halden Wofford And The Hi Beams, In The Whale, Chad Price, Dinero, Johnny Hickman, Matt Skinner, Mosry West, The Jekylls, and Waylon Willies.
Turn the dial up, visit FoCoMX.org and let the experiment begin!
