Musikfest 2018: 18 free music performances not to miss

Fifteen stages of live music. More than 450 free shows over the course of 10 days.

Suffice to say, plotting out a Musikfest schedule based on which acts to see, dashing from one stage to the next, can be a rather daunting and Herculean effort.

To make your decision process just a little bit easier, I popped in my earbuds, poured over my handy 2018 Musikfest guide and compiled a list of 18 free performances you don't want to miss:

Dave Goddess Group

• When: Aug. 3
• Stage: Main Street
• Info.: davegoddessgroup.com

Riding high on the release of their 2018 album, Last of the West Side Cowboys, the group of veteran musicians who make up Dave Goddess Group brings to the table a well-oiled approach that drips with New York swagger and a meaty, classic rock underbelly equal parts Tom Petty and Elvis Costello.

Slingshot Dakota

• When: 10 p.m. Aug. 3
• Stage: Plaza Tropical
• Info.: slingshotdakota.bandcamp.com

Punk meets spacey art pop in the form of hometown favorites Slingshot Dakota. The husband-and-wife duo of keyboardst-singer Carly Commando and drummer Tom Patterson have been generating quite a bit of buzz from Bethlehem to Austin, Texas, thanks to the success of their 2016 album Break. 

Can't make it? Slingshot Dakota are also scheduled to perform 11 p.m. Aug. 11 on the Community Stage at SteelStacks.

The National Reserve

• When: Noon Aug. 4
• Stage: Liederplatz
• Info.: thenationalreserve.com

In a March 3 interview with The National Reserve, frontman Sean Walsh told me, "I love a good shuffle, but I love really good church changes." That appreciation and melting pot of genres is evident in the band's DNA, a well-balanced mix of blues, soul, folk and Southern rock. 

Can't make it? The National Reserve will also perform 3 p.m. Aug. 4 at Lagerplatz and 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at Volksplatz.

The Moondogs

• When: 8 p.m. Aug. 4
• Stage: Musikfest Cafe
• Info.: reverberation.com/themoondogs5

Hailing from Nazareth, The Moondogs combine rock, soul, and blues into a howlingly good time, boosted by five-part harmonies and top-notch musicianship. Their set list is a well-balanced mix of '60s and '70s Motown, soul and rock hits and original tunes. 

FUTURIST

• When: 2 p.m. Aug. 5
• Stage: Lyrikplatz
• Info.: futuristnow.net

Futurist strength in maximizing their musical space with contemporary beats, infusing them with ethereal, guitar-driven psychedelic pop. 

Can't make it? Futurist will also perform 11 p.m. Aug. 5 on the Community Stage at SteelStacks. 

Nalani & Sarina

• When: 3 p.m. Aug. 5
• Stage: Lagerplatz
• Info.: nalanisarina.com

New Jersey-based sister duo Nalani & Sarina find their strength in churning out contemporary pop with a classic feel; strong, lilting harmonies backed up by well-crafted melodies. 

Can't make it? Nalani & Sarina are also scheduled to perform 5 p.m. Aug. 8 at Americaplatz.

Forlorn Strangers

• When: 8:30 p.m. Aug. 6
• Stage: Main Street
• Info.: forlornstrangers.com

With a reliance on infectious vocal hooks and killer four-part harmonies, Nashville-based Forlorn Strangers blend contemporary folk and bluegrass with an old-school soul and foot-stomping sing-a-longs. 

Can't make it? Forlorn Strangers will also perform 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at Volksplatz.

This Way to the Egress

• When: 11 p.m. Aug. 6
• Stage: Community Stage at SteelStacks
• Info.: this waytotheegress1.bandcamp.com

This Way to the Egress combines cabaret, calypso and roots music into one a vintage, throwback sound with a slightly gothic, yet modern flair. 

Can't make it? This Way to the Egress will also perform 3 p.m. Aug. 6 on Main Street. 

Juice

• When: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 7
• Stage: Plaza Tropical
• Info.: itstimeforjuice.com

Take three cups of crisp vocal harmonies, add in one cup of vintage R&B, two tablespoons of soul, a teaspoon of blues, a dash of boogie, then pour into your musical juicer and blend. The resulting concoction is Juice: a delightfully strong music ensemble from Boston. 

The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson

• When: 9 p.m. Aug. 7
• Stage: Volksplatz
• Info.: theoriginalwailers.com

Enjoy an evening of evocative reggae and world music in the form of Influential Bob Marley guitarist Al Anderson -- whose distinctive fretboard work can be heard on such Marley cuts as "No Woman No Cry" and "Them Belly Full" -- and the Original Wailers. 

January Noon

• When: 8 p.m. Aug. 8
• Stage: Lyrikplatz
• Info.: facebook.com/JanuaryNoon

Newcomers January Noon have been making a name for themselves in the Lehigh Valley due to their brand of ear-pleasing acoustic pop. The band consists of Anthony Pasciuti and percussionist Thomas Mikhail.

Ruby Dear

• When: 4 p.m. Aug. 9
• Stage: Lagerplatz
• Info.: facebook.com/rubydearband

Power trio Ruby Dear attacks the senses with machine gun blasts of punk and garage rock, ample amounts of distortion, and soaring, powerful lead vocals courtesy of lead vocalist-guitarist Jenny Founds. 

Can't make it? Ruby Dear will also perform noon and 1:30 p.m. Aug. 10 on Main Street.

APPALACHIAN GYPSY TRIBE

• When: 1 p.m. Aug. 10
• Stage: Lagerplatz
• Info.: appalachiangypsytribe.com

Appalachian Gypsy Tribe bring to the table a multilayered approach -- one that melds together elements of jam rock, blues, Southern rock and prog to create a rootsy, hypnotizing sound.

Can't make it? Appalachian Gypsy Tribe will also perform 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Lyrikplatz.

Church Girls

• When: 5 p.m. Aug. 10
• Where: Main Street
• Info.: church girls.bandcamp.com

Thumping beats and a crunchy, terse guitar attack are the foundation on which Philadelphia's Church Girls preach their rock 'n' roll gospel, anchored by the sultry voice of lead vocalist-rhythm guitarist Mariel Beaumont. 

We Are Scientists

• When: 9:30 p.m. Aug. 11
• Stage: Plaza Tropical
• Info.: wearescientists.com

New York-based indie rockers We Are Scientists headlined SteelStacks back in 2012 as part of the former Nowadays Festival. The California natives are headed back to Bethlehem, this time in support of their 2018 album Megaplex. 

Jakopa's Punch

• When: 3 p.m. Aug. 12
• Stage: Volksplatz
• Info.: facebook.com/JakopasPunch

Jakopa's Punch turns the concept of a traditional cover band and turns it on its head. Their Mummers-meets-Mardi-Gras arrangements of Prince, Peter Gabriel, Madonna and others features trumpet, trombone, theremin, flute, bassoon, ukulele, clarinet, piano, accordion, banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums and percussion. 

Roi and the Secret People

• When: 6 p.m. Aug. 11
• Stage: Lagerplatz
• Info.: roiandthesecretpeople.com

Roi and the Secret People hold no punches, both musically and in their energized live show; hitting audiences right between the eyes with blistering, melody-driven rock 'n' roll. 

JEREMIAH TALL

• When: 1:30 p.m. Aug. 12
• Stage: Volksplatz
• Info.: jeremiahtall.bandcamp.com

Bucks County's Jeremiah Tall takes an old-school, down-home approach to his one-man sonic barrage of rustic folk and toe-tapping cowboy country rock. 

Can't make it? Jeremiah Tall will also perform 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Lyrikplatz.

The 35th annual Musikfest celebration runs Aug. 3-12 in Bethlehem. 

For the complete schedule of performances, visit musikfest.org.