The Freedom First Down by Downtown Festival headline event is in Elmwood Park on Saturday April 18th.
At 4pm, entry will be limited to ticket-holders only and the schedule will be:
Opening
Isaac Hadden
Cinémathèque
8:00pm - Galactic Featuring Jelly Joseph
Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Under 12 - free.
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ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Galactic is one of the most respected and electrifying live acts in American music. Their unmistakable sound blends funk, jazz, rock, hip-hop, and soul making them a staple at major festivals and iconic venues nationwide. Known for high-octane shows and deep New Orleans roots, Galactic doesn’t just play concerts, they create moments. And this Roanoke stop in their 2026 calendar is a major win for music-lovers.
Isaac Hadden, hitting the stage first, is from Southwest VA. A “tow-headed wild child” and rising star with serious chops on the electric guitar. Hadden will put the amp in amphitheater as his band delivers tight, dynamic improvisation.
Cinémathèque is a Roanoke band, lauded for the spicy spirit in recent sets at both Floyd Fest and GO Fest will appear at 6:30pm. Attendees should expect a tour de force of dance music that aptly sets the stage for the funktastic main event at 8:00 pm.
Chairs and blankets welcome. No outside beverages.
Star City Bodega Food Truck and Local Craft Beer- including Parkway Brewing on Tap
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To keep up with the rest of the Freedom First Down by Downtown Festival--and our mission to showcase the vibrant live event venues of Roanoke, VA--follow @DownByDowntown on Facebook and Instagram, and check out DownbyDowntown.com for the full list of venues and schedule of shows!
Event By Roanoke Outside Foundation
Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is committed to cultivating an atmosphere that welcomes and celebrates the unique backgrounds, abilities, passions, and perspectives of our vibrant community. As our region’s only destination marketing organization, we have a responsibility to showcase the best the Roanoke Region has to offer, and those assets and strengths come in varied forms. We embrace differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, language, visible and invisible disabilities, and all the intersecting identities that make Virginians and visitors alike so unique. We believe our differences make us stronger– and better.
