A beloved tradition continues at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn July 3-6 with the 41st American Music Festival. Started by nightclub founder Bill FitzGerald, it has been continued by married couple Will Duncan and Jessica King, who purchased the business in 2020.
Doors open at 4 p.m. on July 3; 2 p.m. on July 4 and 5; and 12:30 p.m. July 6.
Duncan declared that the festival “feels like a tradition worth continuing. It’s an iconic part of FitzGerald’s history and it feels really important to carry it on.”
He observed that this festival differs from other festivals because of the intimacy. “It takes place right here on our little property with the historic nightclub and the two adjacent buildings on either side of the club with a large central courtyard,” Duncan said. “It’s really a unique location for a festival with this quality of music and this number of artists.”
Another distinction is that there are real bathrooms for attendees. “It’s not a porta-potty festival,” Duncan joked.
King reported that they plan each festival for nearly a year. “After last year’s festival, we were already talking about headliners,” she said, adding that they started reaching out to artists in November of last year.
“It really feels like a year round, always planning kind of thing,” Duncan declared.
The couple divides the responsibilities for putting the festival together.
“Will does the bookings of all the artists and I do all the marketing,” King said.
Duncan indicated that the festival is primarily known as an American roots music festival, which includes folk music, jazz, New Orleans brass band, Cajun, and zydeco. They also generally include rock music, blues, and soul.
In choosing the artists to perform, Duncan said, “We want to honor the legacy so we always want to make sure that we are including artists who have been a part of the festival over the decades.
“For example, CJ Chenier is an incredible New Orleans zydeco artist who has been playing the festival since his father played some of the earliest years of this festival. So that’s an artist that, as far as we’re concerned, will always play on American Music Festival. We also are interested in growing and expanding and developing fresh talent — emerging artists.”
They also like to expand the genres that are part of the festival. He cited the inclusion of indie rock bands that appeal to younger audiences. Duncan noted that for the first time they have a hip-hop artist performing this year.
Over 50 artists are on the schedule.
Each of the owners is particularly looking forward to certain performers.
“I cannot wait to see Old 97’s on July 5,” Duncan said.
“I’m really excited about one of my favorites this year, The Rumble,” King said. “They’re like a New Orleans funk band but they also have representation from a Black Indian chief.”
A couple of the days were sold out at press time but the Fourth of July eve program has openings with some up-and-coming performers, Duncan said.
He added that they are often able to sell a few tickets during the day before the performances begin.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
41st American Music Festival
When: July 3-6
Where: FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
Tickets: $65 per day; $225 for four-day pass
Information: 708-788-2118; fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/american-music-fest
