2014 Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest

by Kelley Gilbert
As the 10th anniversary of Bohemian Nights music offerings draws closer, Fort Collins has only one thing on its mind – to celebrate with a lot of live music, food, and beer. 
NewWestFest 2014 is back at it again in downtown Fort Collins with one of the best line-ups yet, eight stages of continuous entertainment and even more activities, vendors and delicious food this August 15-17.
Over the years, NewWestFest has brought in world-renowned bands and thousands of people in celebration of Fort Collins and all that it offers in the realm of live music, artisans and local businesses.
“The festival was initially created as a way to celebrate the establishment of Fort Collins and as a sentiment that we represented the New West, a place of innovation, creativity and history,” said Peggy Lyle, the festival director for NewWestFest and the Downtown Business Association. This year marks the city’s 150^th birthday.
Fort Collins is the mecca for live music, food and beer and this year’s Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest will be no different.
After a stint at Red Rocks earlier this summer, Big Head Todd & the Monsters will be back in their home state of Colorado to headline at NewWestFest on Friday night.
The original trio, plus the bands newest member Jeremy Lawton who joined the group in 2004, will share the entertainment of the night with local greats such as The Holler!, Post Paradise, Shatterproof and more.
The Friday night festival line-up will start at 5 pm and continue on until 10 pm.
After an evening of some great performances, and an abundance of funnel cakes and beer, you will not be able to sleep in anticipation for Saturday’s schedule.
Saturday will kick off with many outstanding acts including local favorites like Katie Herzig and Fierce Bad Rabbit alongside seasoned veterans such as the Subdudes and Cary Morin.
In between shows, there is never a dull moment with over 250 festival booths and vendors, an interactive Kid’s World and a carnival for the whole family to enjoy.
Later on in the evening, rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse duo, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, will hit the stage as the headline event. After more than 30 years together, the duo is still wowing audiences with their high-energy spirit and dynamite lyrics that can get any crowd groovin’.
The Saturday festival line-up will start at 10am and continue on until 10pm.
Wait, there is more?
The Sunday schedule will in no way disappoint with national acts such as DeVotchKa and Euforquestra alongside Fort Collins natives like Mosey West and You Me & Apollo.
In celebration of 10 years of Bohemian Nights music at NewWestFest, the legendary, and most people’s view on the greatest band of all time, rock ‘n’ roll group, WAR, will hit the stage as the headline, and last event, of the festival. WAR’s special return appearance comes after headlining the very first Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest 10 years ago.
With over 50 sold records, 17 platinum and multi-platinum awards and sold-out shows every year, WAR continues to impact not only the music industry but also the hearts of millions throughout the world. You seriously don’t want to hop in your car (or bike!) and ‘low-rider’ it home before catching these guys.
The Sunday festival line-up will start at 10am and finish up around 7pm.
With over 70 local and national bands performing, hundreds of vendor booths, entertainment for the kids, beer and margs for the adults and some of the most mouth-watering food Fort Collins has to offer, this festival is really a no-brainer.
Did I mention NewWestFest is free?
“Our community can expect to hear an abundance of great Colorado music this year at the festival,” said Liz Barnez, the artist relation’s manager for Bohemian Nights. “We mix it up each year with new, emerging and established Colorado artists and this is one of the best line-ups yet.”
So grab your sunscreen and the kids, hop on your bike and head on downtown the weekend of August 15 for an experience in Fort Collins that cannot be forgotten. Just leave the pets at home!