KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The Keene Music Festival is back for its 23rd year, taking over downtown this Saturday, Aug. 31, with 10 hours of non-stop, free live music.

With 65 performances spread across seven stages, the festival promises a sonic journey through a diverse range of genres, from rock and folk to punk, indie, Americana, country, jazz, experimental, jam bands, electronic, hip-hop, and more.

The annual event features a mix of local favorites and fresh faces. Many artists have become festival staples, returning year after year, while others will be making their debut this year.

The festival’s lineup is curated by a dedicated team of volunteer. These music enthusiasts sift through nearly 200 submissions, holding listening sessions where they discover gems on platforms like Soundcloud and Bandcamp. Some artists are instant must-haves, while others are given a second listen before making the cut.

This year, the former Mille Bros. stage is now Gallery Alley, located at 97 Main St. next to the Colonial Theatre, and the Singer/Songwriter Stage in front of Toadstool Bookshop at 12 Emerald St. returns – the festival promotes this These venues join returning favorites like the City Tire stage (rock/metal), Lamson Street stage (punk/experimental rock), Central Square gazebo (indie/alternative/folk), and stages at The Monadnock Food Co-op and Railroad Square (hip-hop/metal/punk/alternative/folk).

The Co-op stage is known for showcasing intimate performances, like those from Tod Born, a new age folk/rock artist from Earth Colony. Meanwhile, some festival regulars have found a new home at Railroad Square, including Lobotomobile, a punk/metal alternative band, and Boston’s “rock pirates,” Jonee’s Earthquake, who previously rocked the City Tire stage.

Newcomers to the festival this year include Know Your Program, the brainchild of Jeff Kolter, who describes his project as “pop song experiments.” As a one-man band, Kolter’s live setup features bass, loop station, vocal effects pedal, and laptop. Kolter is no stranger to the Keene Music Festival, having played bass with instrumental psych-prog-fusion rock band Omoo Omoo in past years.

Returning artists include festival veterans like Hemlock, Side Effects May Include (S.E.M.I.) from New Hampshire, and Phrogs, featuring a member from Chodus, who will also be performing again this year. Also back for more are modern indie grunge band Peach Misfits and metal/grunge rockers Vale End.

For up-to-the-minute schedules, band spotlights, and a stage map, be sure to visit the festival’s Facebook page. And if you’re feeling inspired to get involved, the festival is always looking for volunteers. Reach out via the Keene Music Festival pages on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.

Mark your calendars for this Saturday, August 31st, starting at 11 a.m. in downtown Keene. The Keene Music Festival is free, so come out and soak up the music, the atmosphere, and the community spirit. For more details, head over to the festival’s Facebook or Instagram pages.