This weekend, July 8-10, marks the 30th year of Greenfield’s Green River Festival. The much-ballyhooed hullabaloo has been feted by the likes of Rolling Stone and USA Today as one of the nation’s must-catch summer festivals in recent years, with its unabashed genre-busting artist lineup and massive assemblage of hot air balloons.

And the truth is, even fest talent buyer Jim Olsen admits he never envisioned it lasting the 30 years that it has. But as he rolls into the 2016 installment, he must confess that in his estimation, Green River has never boasted such a deep pool of musical talent. Or been so “in-tents.”

“The camping allows us to offer a full festival experience and give folks from outside the area an affordable lodging option,” Olsen notes of the festival’s newfound allegiance with the nearby Franklin County Fairgrounds. A myriad of camping and concert packages are listed at greenriverfestival.com. 

Among the more notable names on this year’s 40-plus act performance schedule include Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Los Lobos, Winterpills, and NRBQ.

Meanwhile, a funny thing happened to Big Shot bandmate Michael Delguidice two weeks ago that landed the Long Islander on Good Morning America and a slew of radio programs. Billy Joel, the inspiration for Delguidice’s band name, joined him on stage at New York’s Paramount Theater for a surprise set.

Now, Big Shot comes to Enfield. While Enfield Celebration’s festival coordinator Michael Levesque isn’t sure his hometown is on “Joel’s radar,” he’s greatly looking forward to having Big Shot, Elton Joel tribute band Bennie & The Jets, Uncle Kracker, and more on the town green this weekend for an annual homage to Independence Day. 

“It’s an exciting lineup that packages several genres into hours of free music the whole committee is really proud to bring to the community,” he says.

Last up: scene stalwart Louie Brault and his promotion/booking company Madd Muzik return this Friday, July 8 to Noho’s Pearl Street. Topping the bill are a reunited No Intention, local punk-pop princes The Prozacs, and Amherst alt-faves While Stella Sleeps. Check out the show and stay tuned next week for an exclusive interview Brault and his upcoming battle plans.• 

Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT, 06071, or email garycarra@aol.com.