EXCLUSIVE: 4th annual Good Things Are Happening Fest announces initial lineup in Scranton
Good Things Are Happening Fest has secured its biggest headliner yet for its fourth year, but local music fans will have to wait just a little bit longer for that news.
Today, the independent music festival named after a local news segment on WNEP highlighting positivity in the community is announcing its initial lineup exclusively on NEPA Scene. Rosary Guild (Wilkes-Barre indie/alternative rock), a reunion of Alma Mater (Wilkes-Barre alternative rock), Sarah Gross & The Killjoys (Long Island, New York Americana pop), Bobby Mahoney (New Jersey alternative hard rock), Pretty Rude (New York City indie rock/power pop), Hit Like a Girl (Philadelphia indie/pop punk), South Side Five (Scranton psychedelic cowboy jazz), Sweetnest (Scranton indie folk), and Cortez (New York dream/surf rock) will all be performing outdoors at the Scranton Iron Furnaces (159 Cedar Ave., Scranton) on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Festival founder and organizer James Barrett will also return to that stage with his full band, still in shock that the event has quickly become a cultural institution in his hometown and its local music scene.
“It feels pretty surreal. It simultaneously feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago that I threw this idea out into the world and watched it spark. There’s always stress when it comes to planning the festival, but it gives me a sense of purpose outside of my own music I never knew I needed. I feel like I’m in a good headspace entering year four, and that’s a great start. Each year, I learn more and try to use that knowledge to grow personally and as an event. I feel ready,” the 27-year-old singer/songwriter stated.
“Last year’s festival [with headliner Wicca Phase Springs Eternal] was truly a dream come true. I was so satisfied with the turnout and couldn’t believe we missed a monsoon by a day. Each year, this event feels like the coolest day of my life, and I can’t believe it’s real. I think we made tremendous strides last year and, because of that, we’re able to make this year even better. If I could choose a favorite memory from last year, it would be watching [Scranton punk trio] Pucker Up! absolutely blow everyone’s mind.”
With that joy comes the difficulty in choosing a completely different lineup each year, though not from a lack of choices.
“Every year, I put so much thought and consideration into choosing a lineup, and it is the hardest part every time. The amount of bands that reach out to play is both overwhelming and encouraging. It’s really amazing to see how much this event has grown and how many artists want to play each summer. I want to book everyone, and I hope someday this festival will grow into multiple days to help give more artists a shot. With that being said, I am super excited with this year’s group. I tried to divide it up between local and regional bands with the goal of creating a diverse but cohesive lineup. I think there is something for everyone this year.”
Another major decision in this DIY endeavor was moving the festival from August to September this time.
“We decided to go with September for a few reasons, mainly being the hope that it’s not a thousand degrees outside and that the university students will be back in town. I hope having this event at the start of their semester will bring a lot of new people to our festival. The extra month of planning is a bonus too. Our event takes place the weekend after La Festa [Italiana], so we are excited to give the people of NEPA another weekend to look forward to,” Barrett explained.
“Every year, we just gain more awareness from the local and regional communities. We’ve been doing it for long enough now that most people in town have heard of the event, but there are still more groups to try and reach. We also have expanded the amount of vendors we take each year. The more people we can get involved the better. Matt Kester Productions always finds a way to level up the sound and stage each summer, and we are grateful for that. This year will absolutely be our biggest year yet and, once we announce our headliner, I think people are gonna freak out… in a good way.”
In the meantime, the Clarks Summit native will be finishing up work on his own music to debut before and during the festival.
“It seems like every year we say the same thing about working on new music and hoping to play some at the festival but, this year, we will actually have something to show for it. Last year, we teased a new song to open our set and, this year, we plan on playing a lot more new stuff. I’ve been working on a record with my lifelong friend Billy Gerrity for a while, and we’re finally gonna put some music out this summer for the first time since January 2023. I think people can expect something in June or July.”
Tickets, which are $35, are on sale now via TicketLeap and limited, so Barrett suggests purchasing them early because, once that headliner is announced, the show will likely sell out.
“We are also still accepting vendor and sponsor applications if anyone is interested in helping out. I would also add that this year we had Conor O’Brien from Scranton Fringe Fest join the team, and he has been a great help. Conor and I have known each other for over 15 years, and it feels great to work on something together,” he noted.
“We plan on announcing the final band right at the start of June. All I can really say is we got the biggest band we’ve ever had and one that changed my life forever. I am overjoyed.”
Learn more about Good Things Are Happening Fest in an interview with Barrett and two of last year’s performers, Joey Nardone of If Kansas Had Trees and Ed Cuozzo of University Drive, in Episode 199 of the NEPA Scene Podcast:
