Bands, beer and Barnaroo: Counting down to the annual music fest

What started a backyard jam among friends has transformed into an annual autumn event drawing hundreds.

In less than four months, musicians from across the nation will descend on Franny’s Farm to start three days of festival fun. But years ago, it was just Andrew Scotchie, some friends and his mom’s backyard.

“Barnaroo started when I was 16. Back in the day we used to do, like, three a year ’cause we didn’t have anything else to do. We didn’t have jobs, we didn’t have bills to pay. We were just hungry to put on these get togethers,” Scotchie recalled. “In those days, it was just a bunch of teenagers putting this on to get our friends’ bands from different cites in the Southeast a place to play in Asheville.”

In a musical hotbed like Asheville, word got out fast. In 2012, Barnaroo had outgrown its humble beginnings in the Scotchie backyard. Bands that weren’t even on his radar would contact the singer asking for their turn to play.

That’s when the event moved to a larger location and transformed into the homegrown weekend hangout it is today and has been for the last two years.

For 2016, Scotchie is pulling out all the stops in hopes of making this a successful year for the festival’s beneficiary, the Asheville Music School — a cause near to Scotchie’s heart.

“I feel like Asheville gave me so much when I was 14, 15, 16, 17,” Scotchie mused. “I think it’s only fair if I’m in the position to benefit the next generation. This is just trying to continue that circle of love and enthusiasm.”

Yarn will take the stage on Saturday, Oct. 1. Fresh off the release of their last album This Is The Year, the Grammy-nominated band will co-headline with Bristol based Folk Soul Revival.

Shivering Timbers, Shake It Like A Caveman, Porch 40, Pierce Edens and a whole list of other local favorites will be in Leicester for the weekend.

Scotchie says camping is encouraged, as well as responsible driving. Come hungry, though; popular food truck Farm to Fender will be there and local favorite Hi-Wire will have beer flowing.

Asheville Barnaroo 2016 is presented by Skyland Auto Group.

Click here to purchase tickets: www.ashevillebarnaroo.com
If you’re interested in volunteering, click here: https://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/499912504071
To apply to be a vendor at this year’s Barnaroo, click here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wsVQR5LluZVTY8g5oA-_0NECzqcjgGhV58tDNJ3WKlQ/viewform
Sponsor information here http://www.ashevillebarnaroo.com/#!sponsors/nlgde

Fri. Sept. 30
Pierce Edens
Danielle Howle
Travers Brothership
All Star Barnaroo Band

Sat. Oct. 1
Yarn
Folk Soul Revival
This Mountain
Porch 40
Shivering Timbers
Taylor Martin
Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats
Asheville Music School Rock Band
Shake It Like A Caveman
Roots of A Rebellion
Goldie & the Screamers

Sunday’s lineup is to be determined.