X Ambassadors’ Cayuga Sound Fest Breaks Ground In Ithaca Saturday

Ithaca natives, X Ambassadors are set to bring the Cayuga Sound Festival to their hometown on Saturday the 23rd (with some pre-fest events tonight). The weather looks to be great, and with college back in session, the event has a lot to offer upstate music fans. The lineup includes the Roots, Margaret Glaspy, the Knocks, Jukebox the Ghost and a few Ithaca based bands. And the band will be donating a portion of the proceeds to organizations like “Friends of Stewart Park, Planned Parenthood, the Ithaca Community School of Music and Arts.”

X Ambassadors helped organize this inaugural event, headlined by the Roots, with the aid of their manager. The band’s drummer Adam Levin gave us some insight on the lineup selection which is already notable with the Roots on board as the group hasn’t been touring a whole lot given their late-night gig. He said, “The whole selection process was done in tandem with our managers and promoter Dan Smalls. We reached out to the Roots first and once they jumped on board we honestly just began to reach out to our favorite artists and friends and also reached out to some local Ithaca artists.”

Noting that the festival was technically only one day, Levin expanded further on the pre-shows and some “activations” which were happening on Friday. “We had originally brainstormed and thought we would do a two-day festival but we decided to keep it to only one day the first year.

“[But] on Friday, we’re going to be playing a private acoustic set for the VIP ticketholders. Later that evening, Jukebox the Ghost, our close friends and another band playing the festival, are playing a set of covers at The Haunt. [Then], Saturday will be filled with music, amazing food that highlights local chefs and food from around upstate New York, and local libations.”

The band’s hit song “Renegade” and their strong debut VHS positioned them to tour extensively, including an opening spot for MUSE. Fans have been treated to several new tunes this year, but there has yet to be an announcement about a proper album. As Levin noted, “We have a lot coming in the next year including a new album! We’re going to keep releasing new material leading up to the new record and have some very special things planned. I can’t give you all the inside info, unfortunately, but I promise you’re going to love it!”

Cayuga Sound Festival will offer two stages in the park on Saturday, September 23rd featuring an eclectic mix of talent from national touring acts to the homegrown local talent from Ithaca and the region. Information on tickets, travel, hotel accommodations and festival details can be found here.