# Live on the Green Music Festival

Live On The Green (LOTG) is a free outdoor music festival in Nashville, Tennessee produced and presented by local radio station WRLT Lightning 100 that showcases the city's emerging musical talent and highlights well-known national acts. Since its first year in 2009, it has been held at Public Square Park in downtown Nashville adjacent to the historic Metropolitan Courthouse and attracts over 600,000 fans from all 50 states and 15 countries. It has been held every year except 2020 and 2021 when it was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the radio station instead hosted live performances and interviews with the artists. The festival hosts two stages showcasing the city's emerging musical talent and highlights well-known national acts, and also includes food trucks, vendors, and a VIP experience.
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Live on the Green is back! On June 15, 2022, Lightning 100 announced the festival will return Sept. 1- 5 at Public Square Park.
The festival has been ranked by local magazine the Nashville Scene as Best Event/Festival, Best Concert Series, Best Free Fun, Best Radio Station, and Best Cheap Date.

## History

Live On The Green was founded in 2009 by local radio station WRLT Lighting 100 as a celebration of music and community and has always been free to the public. Before LOTG, Nashville hosted free concert series such as Dancin in the District, Uptown Mix, and Summer Lights that didn't quite succeed. The event was initially intended as an opportunity for up-and-coming local Nashville artists to build a fanbase, but the concert series didn't receive much attention or profits in its early years. The radio station then began overlapping their programming with bands they booked for the festival, drawing in more crowds.
In 2012, Alabama Shakes took to the Main Stage and marked a turning point for the festival, doubling the average attendance in one night. Spoon then set the overall attendance record with what was estimated to be 20,000 fans in 2017. Now, Live On The Green draws in 100,000 fans each year and has expanded its footprint past Public Square Park and up Deaderick Street and 3rd Avenue, adding a second stage in 2015 called the "615 Stage" that hosts several local artists from in and around the Nashville area. The festival also features a local artist each year through an annual battle of the bands called Music City Mayhem. Since its inception, Live On The Green has grown into a music industry force that draws thousands of fans, brings in millions of dollars into the downtown economy, and even influences album release strategies for many artists and labels.

## Community

Lightning 100 has donated profits from the Live On The Green music festival to donorschoose.org which fully funded 35 projects, directly impacting nearly 5,000 students from high poverty Nashville schools. LOTG also raises awareness on important issues and invites select organizations to share messages and engage fans in positive ways at the festival. Live On The Green itself is also pet and children friendly.

## Sustainability

Live On The Green focuses heavily on eco-friendly solutions regarding the site and community. 54% of all waste generated at the festival is recycled each year, totaling to 79,680 lbs of material recycled since the concert series began in 2009. The Lightning 100 studio itself is a leading non-restaurant composter with Compost Nashville and the festival strives to be completely waste free in all upcoming seasons. In addition, all LOTG merchandise is made locally at the Friendly Arctic printmaking studio with high-quality eco-friendly materials and inks, and all t-shirts are 100% cotton.
LOTG also promotes biking, walking, taking public transportation, or carpooling to the festival. Partners at Walk/Bike Nashville offer a complimentary bike valet check at the festival, checking over 1,000 bikes for fans. There are also designated Lyft rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations on Deaderick Street and 4th Avenue and on James Robertson Pikeway.

## Notable performances

The festival has hosted more than 200 performing artists, including Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Alabama Shakes, Spoon, Gary Clark Jr., Cage the Elephant, Sheryl Crow, Passion Pit, Portugal. The Man, Ben Folds, The Head and the Heart, Lord Huron, BØRNS, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Band of Horses, Cold War Kids, City and Colour, Young the Giant, Matt and Kim, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Matt Nathanson, Ingrid Michaelson, The Wallflowers, Citizen Cope and many more.

## 2020 Line-up

In 2020 Live On The Green shifted to an on-air format due to COVID-19. The Live On My Green FM Music Festival ran from September 3, 2020 to September 7, 2020 on 100.1 FM in Nashville. The event consisted of over 100 acts over five days and included pre-taped festival performances and exclusive content. The 2020 lineup included Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, My Morning Jacket, Jason Isbell, Beck, Sheryl Crow, and Moon Taxi, among many others.

## Past dates and artists
### 2022

The 2022 festival was the first in-person festival since 2019 and took place over Labor Day weekend, September 1-5, 2022.
| Date | Artists |
| September 1, 2022 | Sheryl Crow Jenny Lewis Nikki Lane Danielle Ponder Bre Kennedy The Watson Twins Cecilia Castleman |
| September 2, 2022 | Moon Taxi Colony House The Wild Feathers Seratones The Foxies The Shindellas Sweet Lizzy Project |
| September 3, 2022 | Santigold Cautious Clay Ruby Amanfu The 502's *repeat repeat Amber Woodhouse Los Colognes Phillip-Michael Scales |
| September 4, 2022 | Coin Devon Gilfillian Stephen Day Strung Like A Horse The Criticals Nordista Freeze Tayls Taylor Bickett |
| September 5, 2022 | Yola Arrested Development Patrick Droney Susto The Brummies Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country LadyCouch Fulton Lee |

### 2020

The 2020 season shifted to an on-air radio format, the "Live On My Green FM Music Festival", from September 3–6, 2020.
| - Date | - Artists |
| September 3, 2020 | Lindsay Ell Katie Pruitt Caitlyn Smith The Heavy Hours John Craigie Jade Bird Noah Cyrus beabadoobee Zack Heckendorf Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard Lianne La Havas Humming House The Mavericks Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit Larkin Poe Colony House NEEDTOBREATHE Hamilton Leithauser Fruition Trigger Hippy Black Pumas Jason Isbell Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats Amy Shark The Foxies Sylvan Esso Milky Chance Two Door Cinema Club Overcoats |
| September 4, 2020 | Joshua Speers Lennon Stella Frank Turner Cold War Kids Jill Andrews Liza Anne Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Carolina Story The Teskey Brothers Molly Tuttle Cordovas Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors Caamp Hiss Golden Messenger The Revivalists Dr. Dog Dawes Mumford & Sons Bruce Springsteen Spoon The Weeks LP G. Love Cautious Clay Tedeschi Trucks Band The War and Treaty |
| September 5, 2020 | Low Cut Connie Will Hoge Rhett Miller of Old 97's Ghost of Paul Revere Kathleen Edwards Courtney Marie Andrews Nicole Atkins Pete Yorn Scott Mulvahill Songhoy Blues Amos Lee Norah Jones The Avett Brothers Lilly Hiatt Belle Mt. ZZ Ward Jack Johnson & Friends The Head & The Heart Michael Kiwanuka Beck Cage The Elephant Rainbow Kitten Surprise My Morning Jacket Metallica Muse |
| September 6, 2020 | Chuck Prophet Brandy Clark Bruce Hornsby Smooth Hound Smith Langhorne Slim Sarah Jarosz Aaron Lee Tasjan Waxahatchee Savannah Conley U.S. Girls Band of Horses Phoebe Bridgers Ruston Kelly The Lone Bellow Bailen Okey Dokey Ron Gallo Briston Maroney The Black Keys Moon Taxi The Aquaducks Anderson East St. Paul & The Broken Bones The Marcus King Band Bully Margo Price Josh Ritter Eric Hutchinson |
| September 7, 2020 | John-Robert Stacey Randol Charley Crockett Jaime Wyatt Band of Heathens Ladycouch Adia Victoria Perfume Genius Mondo Cozmo Luthi Devon Gilfillian The Wood Brothers Lake Street Dive Sheryl Crow Mt Joy Molly Martin Drumming Bird James Ethan Clark & The Renegades Catalina Oddnote Taylor Noelle Fulton Lee Foals The National Future Islands Judah and the Lion Michael Franti Christone "Kingfish" Ingram Half Moon Run |

### 2019

The 2019 season started with two consecutive Thursdays from August 15–22, 2019 and ended with a weekend finale on August 29 - September 1, 2019.
| - Date | - Artists |
| August 15, 2019 | Lucie Silvas Yola The Strumbellas Gary Clark Jr. |
| August 22. 2019 | Will Hoge Amanda Shires Mat Kearney Johnnyswim |
| August 29, 2019 | Briston Maroney The Daybreaks Maggie Rose & Them Vibes Morgxn American Authors Yacht Rock Revue O.A.R |
| August 30, 2019 | Los Colognes The Brummies Illiterate Lite Robert Randolph and the Family Band Guster St. Paul and The Broken Bones |
| August 31, 2019 | Kid's Fest Wild Love Laura Reed Scott Mulvahill Creature Comfort Aaron Lee Tasjan Bailen Los Coast Grizfolk Jukebox The Ghost Devon Gilfillian Grace Potter |
| September 1, 2019 | Trella Forest Fire Gospel Choir Airpark Smooth Hound Smith Stephen Day Liz Cooper & The Stampede Lindsay Ell The Marcus King Band Boy Named Banjo Steve Earle Wilder Woods Lake Street Dive |

### 2018

The 2018 season started with three consecutive Thursdays from August 9–23, 2018 and ended with a weekend finale on August 30 - September 1, 2018.
| - Date | - Artists |
| August 9, 2018 | Roscoe & Etta Mt. Joy The Wood Brothers DISPATCH |
| August 16, 2018 | *repeat repeat Colony House Car Seat Headrest Cold War Kids |
| August 23, 2018 | Alanna Royale Parquet Courts Rainbow Kitten Surprise Trampled by Turtles |
| August 30, 2018 | The New Respects Savannah Conley Roots of a Rebellion Rival Sons The Wild Feathers Dr. Dog |
| August 31, 2018 | Waker The Foxies Republican Hair Mikky Ekko Theo Katzman Elliot Root X Ambassadors |
| September 1, 2018 | Live On The Green's Kid's Fest with Mr. Steve Jackson Bruck & The Dukes of Hume Arlie Paul McDonald Luthi Natalie Prass Larkin Poe Rayland Baxter Lissie ZZ Ward Matt and Kim Jimmy Eat World |

### 2017

The 2017 season started with three consecutive Thursdays from August 10–24, 2017 and ended with a weekend finale on August 31 - September 2, 2017.
| - Date | - Artists |
| August 10, 2017 | Arkells Michael Franti and Spearhead St. Paul and the Broken Bones |
| August 17, 2017 | Minus The Bear Real Estate Local Natives |
| August 24, 2017 | The Weeks Portugal. The Man Spoon |
| August 31, 2017 Cancelled due to weather | Jonny P Carl Broemel Roots of a Rebellion Iron & Wine DISPATCH John Butler Trio |
| September 1, 2017 Cancelled due to weather, rescheduled to September 3, 2017 | |
| September 2, 2017 | Mr. Steve, the Music Man Guthrie Brown Cordovas Paper Route The Voodoo Fix Elliot Root Bahamas The Delta Saints The Record Company LP The Lone Bellow Future Islands |
| September 3, 2017 | The Whistles & The Bells Ron Gallo Goodbye June SHEL Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors Sheryl Crow |

### 2016

The 2016 season started with three consecutive Thursdays from August 11–25, 2016 and ended with a weekend finale from September 1–3, 2016.
| - Date | - Artists |
| August 11, 2016 | White Denim Allen Stone Andra Day |
| August 18, 2016 | JR JR Passenger Jenny Lewis |
| August 25, 2016 | The Record Company Kurt Vile & the Violators Dawes |
| September 1, 2016 | *repeat repeat SIMO COIN The Revivalists BØRNS Young The Giant |
| September 2, 2016 | Josh Farrow Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes Nikki Lane the Sheepdogs Rayland Baxter The Wild Feathers Band of Horses |
| September 3, 2016 | Kid's Fest with Mr. Steve, the Music Man Mountains Like Wax Bassh Alanna Royale Los Colognes Gabe Dixon Aubrie Sellers Elizabeth Cook Bully The Weeks Judah & the Lion Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals |

### 2015

The 2015 season started with three consecutive Thursdays from August 20 - September 3, 2015 and ended with a weekend finale from September 10–12, 2015.
| - Date | - Artists |
| August 20, 2015 | Elliot Root Shakey Graves Lord Huron |
| August 27, 2015 | Houndmouth J Roddy Walston and the Business Cold War Kids |
| September 3, 2015 | Greg Holden The Delta Saints Moon Taxi |
| September 10, 2015 | Civil Twilight Kopecky Delta Rae Humming House JD McPherson Rodrigo y Gabriela |
| September 11, 2015 | Turbo Fruits The Vespers Colony House Smooth Hound Smith Zella Day Big Data Passion Pit |
| September 12, 2015 | Mr Steve, The Music Man Daphne and the Mystery Machines Steelism Future Thieves Kaleo All Them Witches The Districts Lennon & Maisy Anderson East Elle King Family of the Year Ben Folds |

### 2014

The 2014 season started with three consecutive Thursdays from August 14–28, 2014 and ended with a weekend finale from September 4–6, 2014.
| - Date | - Artists |
| August 14, 2014 | Spanish Gold The Weeks City and Colour |
| August 21, 2014 | Goodbye June Wild Cub The Head and the Heart |
| August 28, 2014 | All Them Witches The Features Capital Cities |
| September 4, 2014 | Johnnyswim Delta Spirit Cage the Elephant |
| September 5, 2014 | Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes Augustana G. Love & the Special Sauce The Wild Feathers |
| September 6, 2014 | Phin Sugar and the Hi-Lows Ingrid Michaelson LP The Lone Bellow Jake Bugg |

### 2013

The 2013 season consisted of six consecutive Thursdays from August 8 - September 12, 2013.
| Date | Artists |
| August 8, 2013 | Gin Wigmore ZZ Ward Matt & Kim |
| August 15, 2013 | Erin McCarley The Mowglis Matt Nathanson |
| August 22, 2013 | Luella & the Sun The Delta Saints Michael Franti & Spearhead |
| August 29, 2013 | Joe Robinson St. Paul & The Broken Bones Robert Randolph & The Family Band |
| September 5, 2013 | Lulu Mae Leagues Local Natives |
| September 12, 2013 | The Wild Feathers The Weeks Moon Taxi |

### 2012

The 2012 season consisted of six consecutive Thursdays from September 6 - October 11, 2012.
| Date | Artists |
| September 6, 2012 | Jon Cleary Moon Taxi Dr. John |
| September 13, 2012 | The Dunwells Delta Spirit The Wallflowers |
| September 20, 2012 | Roots of a Rebellion Missing Cats featuring John "JoJo" Hermann & Sherman Ewing North Mississippi Allstars |
| September 27, 2012 | Fly Golden Eagle The Apache Relay Alabama Shakes |
| October 4, 2012 | HoneyHoney The Kingston Springs Trampled by Turtles |
| October 11, 2012 | The Delta Saints Yacht Rock Revue Here Come the Mummies |

### 2011

The 2011 season consisted of six consecutive Thursdays from September 8 - October 13, 2011.
| Date | Artists |
| September 8, 2011 | Chris Bailey Will Hoge Nashville Symphony with K.S. Rhoads |
| September 15, 2011 | The Kicks Rumba Los Lonely Boys |
| September 22, 2011 | Moon Taxi The Dirty Guv'nahs Robert Randolph & The Family Band |
| September 29, 2011 | The Spinderellas Carey Ott Edwin McCain Ten Out of Tenn |
| October 6, 2011 | Marie Hines Rayland Baxter Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Brett Dennen |
| October 13, 2011 | Eastern Block H-BEAM Here Come the Mummies |

### 2010

| Date | Artists |
| September 9, 2010 | Hightide Blues Five for Fighting Tonic |
| September 16, 2010 | The Apache Relay Glossary Dr. Dog |
| September 23, 2010 | Joe Robinson Moon Taxi The Wailers |
| September 30, 2010 | Garrison Starr Sixpence None the Richer Jars of Clay |
| October 7, 2010 | Bryan Cates Ghostfinger Band of Horses |
| October 14, 2010 | Johnathon Tyler & The Northern Lights Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk JJ Grey & Mofro |

### 2009

| Date | Artists |
| September 3, 2009 | Ten Out of Tenn American Bang The Toadies |
| September 10, 2009 | H-BEAM Space Capone Here Come the Mummies |
| September 17, 2009 | Homemade Water Jack Pearson Derek Trucks Band |
| September 24, 2009 | Thadd Cockrell Matthew Perryman Jones Dave Barnes |
| October 1, 2009 | Maureen Murphy The Dynamites Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings |
| October 8, 2009 | Next Big Nashville Ricky Young Citizen Cope |