5th Annual Drifter Fest

The 5th Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam returns to Charleston on September 5th–7th with a dynamic lineup of live music, celebrating the life and legacy of the late Drifter Merch founder Bert Griggs.

The main event takes place on Saturday at the Refinery Amphitheater with a lineup that includes progressive improvisational rock/jam band Big Something headlining along with soulful powerhouse Kanika Moore & The Brown Eyed Bois plus Just Groove. Doors open at 5 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at DrifterFest.com/tickets. General Admission is $30 in advance, $40 on the day of show. With limited availability, $60 VIP tickets are 21 and older only and include GA access, second-level rooftop viewing area overlooking the event with private VIP bar, inside bathrooms, seating, VIP parking, and commemorative laminate.

The festival kicks off on Friday with a free pre-jam event featuring Machine Funk “A Tribute to Widespread Panic” at Home Team BBQ downtown starting at 6 p.m. After-parties will follow on Friday and Saturday at The Commodore from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Then on Sunday, the weekend wraps up with a free show featuring Junco Partner at Vickery’s on Shem Creek from 4-7 p.m.

Drifter Fest is an annual event in Charleston, SC that celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs, co-founder of Drifter Merch. It has grown into a must-attend community celebration of live music, art, local eats, and specialty drinks. This year, a portion of proceeds will benefit Rock ‘n Roll Rescue, a non profit that allows children access to instruments and music education programs. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations interested in supporting Drifter Fest and its mission.

For more information, tickets, sponsorship and other FAQ, go to www.drifterfest.com

The 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam Announced

Presented by Drifter Merch and Ear for Music, 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam will be held on Saturday, September 11th from 7-11pm. The first event to be held at the new Refinery Amphitheater in Downtown Charleston, Drifter Fest will feature live music from jam band Indecision with local favorite Junco Partner opening. A free pre-jam to kick off the weekend festivities will be held on Friday, September 10th at Home Team BBQ downtown with entertainment provided by Atlanta’s Last Waltz Ensemble.

A portion of proceeds will benefit Carolina Studios, founded right here in the Lowcountry by Hootie and the Blowfish’s Mark Bryan to foster creative, educational, and career-focused initiatives for students through music, technology and media arts. In partnership with local businesses, sponsors include Slane Irish Whiskey, Truly Hard Seltzer, Southern Flavor Magazine, Eskimo Advertising, Rodgers Wranglers, Mass Mutual South Carolina and Carolina Audio Video. Providing a true festival experience, the event will have craft vendors that include Drifter Merch, Zinnialou Jewelry, Cotton Patch Hemp, and GrillKilt. Additionally, there will be food trucks including local favorites Callie’s Biscuits and The Immortal Lobster. 

Saturday’s event will be ticketed with general admission available for $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event. A limited number of $50 VIP tickets will include GA access plus a second level viewing area above the event, two drink tickets, private bar, seating, bathrooms & premium parking as well as a commemorative laminate. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 9th at 10am at City Paper Tickets.

Drifter Fest celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs. A huge fan of live music, Bert also turned his passion into a well received apparel and accessories company, Drifter Merch, that was inspired by his favorite bands. Additionally, Bert was an amazing father, husband, son, brother, and friend. Bert had an innate ability to make everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the room. He never met a stranger. In fact, he was everyone’s best friend. He had the sweetest soul and a tender heart that loved hard and deeply. Bert had a unique sense of humor with an infectious laugh and smile that could light up the darkest room. 

For more information about the 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam, visit
www.drifterfest.com.