West Kortright Center Introduces Psychedelic Rock Festival in Serene Valley
The West Kortright Center is set to present Bucolic Valley, a one-day psychedelic rock festival, on Saturday, August 22 in the picturesque Western Catskills. This event promises attendees a day filled with mesmerizing music, vibrant psychedelic displays, and an array of hand-selected local vendors. The festival is a collaborative effort between the West Kortright Center, Diana McShane, and Chris McShane.
Festival-goers can look forward to performances at both the enchanting outdoor stage boasting stunning views of the valley in the Western Catskills and the historic indoor stage renowned for its exceptional acoustics and picturesque stained glass windows. Situated in the town of East Meredith in the Catskills, the West Kortright Center is an ideal location for such a unique and immersive event.
Headlining the festival is Queens-based band, The Mystery Lights, known for their electrifying energy and dynamic live performances. The lineup also includes Los Angeles country-psych group, Windows, Kid Bess and the Magic Ring, Gracie Gray, uncleshake, Pleasure Dome, and Düül Suns.
The Mystery Lights, originating from Salinas, California in 2004, emerged from the collaboration between friends Michael Brandon and Luis Alfonso. Influenced by iconic bands such as The MC5, Velvet Underground, Dead Moon, and The Fall, the duo spent a decade touring extensively before relocating to Queens in 2014. Their lively performances and seamless transitions between tracks have garnered them a devoted local following in New York City.
Windows, formed in 2018 by Matteo Arias, previous bassist of Golden Animals, offers a unique fusion of classic California country, surf rock, and West Coast psychedelia with a distinctive Mexican-American perspective. Since their debut with “The Ballad of Whiskey Pete” in 2019, and the release of their EP “Raindrops on the Open Road” in 2024, followed by singles like “That’s When” and “Light in the Dark” in 2025, Windows has been making waves in the music scene. The band has even secured airtime on Los Angeles radio station, KCRW, and is currently working on their next full-length album with producer Tyler Fogerty.
Passes for the Bucolic Valley Festival will be available for purchase on Monday, March 9 on westkc.org and bucolicvalley.org, with special discounts for West Kortright Center members. Don’t miss the chance to experience an unforgettable day of psychedelic rock music set against the backdrop of the beautiful Western Catskills.