Counting Down the Days Until the 30th Hot August Music Festival

DC Music Review recently sat down with Ryan Glaeser and Robert Cooper, Co-Owners of the Hot August Music Festival, to talk about the 30th annual festival at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, Maryland, on Saturday, August 19th. This year's lineup boasts an array of talented artists, including jam legends Little Feat and Oteil Burbridge, rising up-and-comers Ripe, Daniel Donato, and Karina Rykman, and local favorites Cris Jacobs and Natalie Brooke & the Infinity Tribe. The gates open at 11:00 am, music begins on the Hillside Stage at 11:30 am, and the Meadow Stage opens at noon. Tickets are still available on the Hot August Music Festival's website. Read below to learn more about the 2023 Hot August Music Festival.

How did Hot August get started?

Brad Selko started Hot August Blues at his farm in Monkton, MD in 1993, with two acts performing on one small stage. Initially a hang-out amongst friends, Hot August Blues quickly became one of Maryland's most beloved music festivals. The festival later moved to another farm in the area in 2002, and Hot August Blues eventually moved to its current home in Oregon Ridge Park in 2003. As the festival grew and attracted more diverse artists, the festival's name was officially changed to the Hot August Music Festival in 2014. Hot August has continued to be a staple of the Baltimore music scene, hosting over 4,000 attendees yearly.

Why did you decide to get involved with the festival?

Ryan: I worked for a local radio station, 89.7FM WTMD, and in 2007, I helped promote my first Hot August Festival, helping set up promotional interviews and handle live broadcasts. I have also done on-site broadcasts for the All Good Festival and Bonnaroo. As my annual involvement with Hot August increased through my work at WTMD, I fell in love with the festival and the people who make it possible every year. I saw the people who came and enjoyed themselves every year, and I saw it transform into a family event. Some young kids were running around at Hot August 20 years ago, and they're bringing their families to the festival now. The people are how this event happens every year and why it has happened for 30 years.

Robbie: I got involved with Hot August because it seemed like the universe was sending me something I was made to be a part of. It is odd to think about it, but it felt like such an obvious and natural thing to jump at!

What's your background in the music industry?

Ryan: I studied electronic media at Towson University and did an internship junior year at WTMD, located on Towson's campus. I got into radio production, recording, and radio broadcasting. I also hosted a radio show, "Stuck in the Jam," featuring local and national jam band music. I had several friends in bands who I would record and mix audio for, and I played in a few bands myself, but my biggest interest was always stage lighting. I transitioned to accounting after working at WTMD for seven years and helping design and construct a $12 million recording facility. However, my passion for live music production continued, so I started Second Encore Productions. It has grown into a small lighting business, running lights for Union Craft Brewing and other events and festivals.

Robbie: I have been a musician my whole life and worked as an audio engineer my entire adult life. I have toured all over the world as a musician and freelance engineer. I own Old Line Audio, a production company focused on concerts and events in Frederick County, MD.

Tell us a little about how things have changed since the first festival in 1993 and what you're excited about for this year. Are there any significant changes for this year's festival compared to 2022?

The diversity of musical acts has changed the most since the beginning. Also, the festival has continued to grow in size and scale. This year, we wanted to focus on continuing to offer attendees a diverse lineup. Still, we also love that festival goers can see a big name on the main stage, but then you can walk over to the second stage and find a new artist you can't stop listening to once you leave.

What's your vision for the future of Hot August?

We want to keep producing a great event that people want to come to and enjoy themselves. We would love to expand–possibly doing two days or bringing back a third stage. There are many possibilities, and we are excited about Hot August's future.

This year's lineup is packed and looks like a blast. Do you have a festival schedule yet? Will both stages be active throughout the day?

We know no one wants their two favorite acts to overlap, but that is impossible to avoid with a multi-stage festival. We have more extended sets so attendees can hear more music and have time to see the start parts of multiple sets. We tried our best to put out a schedule of music that would allow people to see a great day of music, and we did just that. There is no filler on this schedule, which is available on our website and social media.

Can we expect fun collaborations between artists in the lineup or other musical surprises?

Who knows what will happen at Hot August? While we can't guarantee anything, Hot August has always been known for collaborations that naturally occur. We will have to see what happens with all these killer musicians in one place.

The Hot August Festival will probably be on a hot summer day. How can festival goers keep cool while catching their favorite bands?

It will be easy to stay cool at this year's festival, thanks to our good friends at Union Craft Brewing (also hosting a pre-festival party on Friday night) slinging their amazing cold beers all day. Attendees are welcome to bring as much bottled water as they like, but we encourage everyone to support our fantastic vendors. Without them, the festival wouldn't be possible. Also, there are some pavilions to relax and get shade, and we have an area where attendees can set up tents near the Hillside Stage. Have fun and stay hydrated, but we don't call it Hot August for nothing!

Besides the music, what can festival goers expect at this year's Hot August Festival? Are there family-friendly options available for the kids?

Besides two stages of incredible music, we also welcome many great vendor partners selling food, beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and arts & crafts. There will also be a kid's pavilion (with a playground) with a hat-making and harmonica workshop. Kids under 12 get in free. We will also host several drum circles throughout the day and more!

How can people get tickets?

Tickets are available at hotaugustmusicfestival.com/tickets.