Mountain Jam 2025 Brings Big Music, Big Smiles, and Bright Future to Belleayre

By Robert Brune
HIGHMOUNT — Under the cloud cover and cool mountain breezes, the 2025 Mountain Jam Music Festival lit up Belleayre Mountain with three unforgettable days of music, community, and connection. With headliners Khruangbin, Mt. Joy, and Goose, the beloved Catskills festival returned in full force, rekindling its deep roots in the region and solidifying Belleayre as its new mountain home.

A Family of Sound

Friday’s opening was a groovy launch into the weekend with Khruangbin closing the night after spirited sets by Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Karina Rykman, Kitchen Dwellers, and Upstate. By Saturday, the mountain was pulsing with energy.

Michael Franti & Spearhead delivered a heartfelt, interactive set that turned the crowd into a chorus of hope and self-acceptance. Franti, speaking candidly about growing up in a multicultural family, shared messages of inclusion with his anthem "Just Be You." One of the standout moments came as he brought about fifty kids onstage for a joyful dance to “Even If the Sun Don’t Shine.”

Trampled by Turtles took things up a notch with a furious string-driven jam that had the crowd stomping in time, and Mt. Joy ushered in the evening with their new release “Hope We Have Fun,” leading into the soul-soothing “God Loves Weirdos,” a perfect soundtrack as the sunset cast golden light across the mountain.

Sunday brought introspective tones and high spirits. Molly Tuttle’s rendition of “She’s Like a Rainbow” was a crowd pleaser, and Mikaela Davis captivated the audience with her elegant cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Mountains of the Moon.” Later, Davis joined Goose on stage, her harp seamlessly blending into the band’s signature improvisational flow. Goose closed out the weekend of dream-like musical experience in grand style. 

Behind the Vibe

Backstage, the energy was just as upbeat. Emily Stanton, Interim General Manager of Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, praised the collaborative spirit between her team and Mountain Jam’s organizers. “Thanks everyone for coming to a weekend of great vibes and fabulous sunshine at Belleayre,” she said. “The staff did a tremendous job of putting on this outstanding festival, it was the best kickoff to our summer season.”

Visible throughout the weekend were the faces behind the magic: Logan McReynolds (concessions), Alex Sines (facilities), Joe McCracken (marketing), and Stanton herself, all beaming with pride by Sunday afternoon.

Local Flavor, National Stage

Outside the gates, food vendors offered a range of tastes and smells. A highlight was the legendary kettle corn from Tristan Mulder, stationed by popular demand at the main entrance, joined by friends Anthony Piacquadio and Johnny Flynn.

Festival co-producers Gary Chetkof and Merika Romero were spotted enjoying the show and took a moment to reflect on the festival’s journey. “This was number 16,” said Chetkof. “We started in 2005 as a one-day event for Radio Woodstock’s 25th anniversary… but after the first one, everyone said, ‘You have to do this again.’”

That organic growth is what makes Mountain Jam unique. “This year was about building something intimate,” said Romero. “Quality over quantity. A boutique festival with major talent, and an atmosphere that felt safe, joyful, and clean. It was everything we hoped for.”

Notes from the Ground

Among the crowd: a bachelor party for a lucky groom named Tyler S, his crew unmistakable in matching tie-dye, reveling in Saturday’s lineup. As for fans of Dogs in a Pile, it was a homecoming of sorts, some having followed the Jersey Shore jam band since their barroom days. “I first connected with them when they played up in Woodstock maybe a year ago and they played at the colony and they sold out two nights and I caught a little bit of their set.” said Chetkof, “I was really impressed, right away. I knew that I wanted them to play Mountain, and they came up about a month ago to WDST and they did a pre-mountain jamThey played a forty-five-minute acoustic set, and it was amazing, and these guys are as nice as they are as they are talented. They're just enthusiastic and friendly and nice and just really a pleasure to be around. The musicianship, it just keeps growing and I think they're going to be really, really big.”

Looking Ahead

As the final notes of Goose’s headlining set faded into the mountain night, the sentiment was clear: Mountain Jam is more than just a music festival, it's a community celebration. Businesses in the region saw a welcome boost, and local gratitude was palpable.

“Mountain Jam really rescued the local economy this weekend,” one attendee remarked. “Restaurants, shops, and service workers were all smiling. We needed this.”

Chetkof and Romero echoed that hope. “We want to build this community,” said Chetkof. “We treat people well, free water, fair pricing, clean grounds. That’s how you do it right.”

Mountain Jam 2025 proved that after two decades, the heart of the festival is still beating strong, uplifting, evolving, and celebrating what really matters: good music, good people, and the mountain air to bring it all together.

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