20/07/2025
Free show. See you at WEXT’s Local 518 Fest at Music Haven on July 26 featuring Wild Adriatic and Sawyer Fredericks headlining.
Eclectic lineup for free music festival showcasing Capital Region acts also features Tops of Trees, Canella, and Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter
WEXT Radio, the Capital Region’s listener-supported roots and rock radio station, today announced a potent and eclectic lineup of regional musical acts for its annual WEXT Local 518 Fest, to be held Saturday, July 26 from 2 to 9:30 p.m. at Music Haven in Schenectady’s Central Park.
Headlining the free festival celebrating the local music scene are two popular acts that have just released new albums: Wild Adriatic, a band known for seamlessly blending rock ‘n roll with blues and soul, and Sawyer Fredericks, the singer-songwriter who gained fame by winning Season 8 of NBC’s singing competition, “The Voice.”
Other local musical acts on the bill include Tops of Trees, Canella, and Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter.
We also just added solo sets from Girl Love and Angelina Valente! See below for the set start times.
“With talented musicians and cool music that crosses multiple genres, we couldn’t be more thrilled with our lineup for WEXT Local 518 Fest,” said Chris Wienk, afternoon host and program director at WEXT and vice president, radio at WMHT Public Media. “Free and open to the public, this event showcases what WEXT does best: highlight our diverse and vibrant local music scene and bring the community together to enjoy it.”
Wild Adriatic’s self-titled third studio album, written at soundchecks and writing retreats worldwide and recorded in a studio apartment in Lake George during the pandemic, was released April 18. The band has made countless U.S. and European tour and festival appearances, playing with heavyweight acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Grand Funk Railroad and .38 Special to Goose, Sublime, Twiddle and moe.
Sawyer Fredericks’ new album, “No Need to Wonder,” was released April 22. Hailing from a farm in central New York, he began playing local farmers markets, open mics, and iconic New York venues at the age of 13. Blending folk, blues and rock, Fredericks’ original lyrics, soulful vocals and powerful live performances have connected him with fans around the world since his 2015 victory on “The Voice.”
The WEXT Local 518 Fest also features Tops of Trees, playing music steeped in R&B, funk and soul and built upon a strong foundation of drum and bass, classic organ, blistering vocals, and an unshakeable horn section; indie-rock band Canella, known for its heavy riffs, pop melodies, and taste of alternative genres; and singer-songwriter and fiddler Sara Milonovich and her band Daisycutter, which offers a heady harvest of heart-stopping original roots rock and alt-Americana gems. In addition, a variety of local food, beverage and craft vendors will be on site throughout the event.
Found at 97.7 and 106.1 on the FM dial and streamed online at wextradio.org, WEXT is a service of WMHT Public Media (WMHT), a multichannel public communications organization serving Eastern New York and Western New England. With a playlist focused on emerging artists, classic songs that regular radio has forgotten, and a strong complement of music showcasing local and regional artists, WEXT provides a unique listening experience, featuring eclectic and diverse music that spans multiple genres.
Major support for the WEXT Local 518 Fest is provided by: Chet & Karen Opalka, Gary & Aimee Dake, Music Haven, and Denis Entertainment Group.
Set start times for the WEXT Local 518 Fest at Music Haven:
(all times approximate)
2p Tops of Trees
300p Girl Love (solo set)
345p Canella
455p Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter
555p Angelina Valente (solo set)
645p Sawyer Fredericks (with his band!) (75)
820p Wild Adriatic (75)
About WEXT
WEXT is the Capital Region’s listener-supported roots and rock radio station. A service of WMHT Public Media, WEXT can be found at two points on the FM dial, 97.7 and 106.1, and is streamed online at wextradio.org. Its mission is to deliver a unique listening experience, with eclectic and diverse music that knows no boundary of genre. WEXT provides listeners with a place for musical discovery, focusing on emerging artists, classic songs that regular radio has forgotten, and especially music from the region. For more, visit wextradio.org.
About WMHT Public Media
Serving Eastern New York and Western New England, WMHT Public Media is the only locally owned, nonprofit, multichannel public communications organization that reaches beyond the traditional broadcasting model to act as a leader by convening arts, culture, learning and civic interests. WMHT focuses on Community, Culture and Connections by providing entertainment, enrichment and engagement through television, radio, digital media, and educational services. Services include WMHT-DT (17.1), WMHT-Create (17.2), WMHT-World (17.3), WMHT PBS Kids (17.4), WMHT-FM 89.1 & WRHV-FM 88.7 (classical public radio), and WEXT Radio 97.7/106.1 (AAA public radio). WMHT also operates RISE, a radio reading service for the blind and print disabled. For more, visit wmht.org.
Providing entertainment, enrichment and engagement through television, radio, digital media, and educational services.
