ArtistDirect News
High Sierra Festival Debuts Backstage Wellness Village for Musicians and Crew
When the first light spills over Grass Valley on July 2, the 34th‑year High Sierra Music Festival will open more than a stage—it will unveil a sanctuary for the people who keep the music alive.
In a bold partnership that brings the expertise of the Harper House Music Foundation (HHMF) and Backline to the heart of the festival, the High Sierra Foundation has created a Backstage Wellness Village. The village will offer free eye care, massage and body‑work recovery, mental‑health case management, and sobriety support to every musician, touring professional, and production crew member who passes through.
The festival, now in its 34th year, is returning to Grass Valley after decades of running in Quincy, California. The four‑day event, running through July 5, will showcase more than 60 acts that span funk, Americana, jam, soul, bluegrass, electronic dance music, and global sounds. Headliners include Steel Pulse, Don Was & The Pan‑Detroit Ensemble, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and John Medeski.
Founded in 2003, the High Sierra Foundation is a separate, nonprofit entity that supports charitable activities linked to the festival. While the festival itself operates as an independent for‑profit production, the foundation pursues a philanthropic mission that connects the power of live music to community impact. In 2025 the foundation broadened its programming, deepened community partnerships, and began operating year‑round.
Backline, a nonprofit that delivers mental‑health and wellness resources to the music industry, and HHMF, which helps artists maintain stable, healthy lives, will staff the village. Services will include on‑site eye care and vision support, massage practitioners, a body‑work recovery space, mental‑health case management, and sobriety and recovery support.
"Touring artists and their crews give in ways most audiences never see — physically, emotionally, financially," said Bo Carper, a member of New Monsoon and Board Chair of the High Sierra Foundation. "We’re deeply grateful to Harper House and Backline for helping us bring skillful, dedicated care backstage. The Wellness Village is our way of honoring the hard‑working music industry professionals who make all of this possible."
Hilary Gleason, Backline’s co‑founder and executive director, added: "It’s incredibly meaningful to be a part of bringing mental health and wellness to the artists and crew at High Sierra. This is a legacy festival that continues to evolve, and I am so happy to see it grow to provide this kind of human‑first care for the people who make it all so special."
Michele Augis, managing director of HHMF, explained: "This partnership with High Sierra Foundation and Backline represents exactly the kind of on‑the‑ground commitment our Mental Health & Wellbeing initiative was built for. Artists and their crews deserve dedicated care directly where they work, and High Sierra Music Festival is exactly the kind of community where this work belongs."
The initiative arrives at a time when mental‑health and healthcare access remain urgent concerns throughout the independent music community. By offering free, on‑site services, the festival establishes a model that other events may follow.
The wellness village will open on the festival’s first day, with staff and volunteers ready to serve attendees. It will operate throughout the four‑day event, offering services to anyone who needs them. The High Sierra Foundation will continue its philanthropic work beyond the festival, while the festival itself remains a for‑profit production.
In summary, the 2026 High Sierra Music Festival will run from July 2‑5 in Grass Valley, CA, featuring a diverse lineup and a new Backstage Wellness Village that offers free eye care, massage, mental‑health case management and sobriety support to musicians and crew. The partnership between the High Sierra Foundation, Harper House Music Foundation and Backline reflects a growing focus on health and well‑being within the music industry and provides a template for future festivals.
In a bold partnership that brings the expertise of the Harper House Music Foundation (HHMF) and Backline to the heart of the festival, the High Sierra Foundation has created a Backstage Wellness Village. The village will offer free eye care, massage and body‑work recovery, mental‑health case management, and sobriety support to every musician, touring professional, and production crew member who passes through.
The festival, now in its 34th year, is returning to Grass Valley after decades of running in Quincy, California. The four‑day event, running through July 5, will showcase more than 60 acts that span funk, Americana, jam, soul, bluegrass, electronic dance music, and global sounds. Headliners include Steel Pulse, Don Was & The Pan‑Detroit Ensemble, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and John Medeski.
Founded in 2003, the High Sierra Foundation is a separate, nonprofit entity that supports charitable activities linked to the festival. While the festival itself operates as an independent for‑profit production, the foundation pursues a philanthropic mission that connects the power of live music to community impact. In 2025 the foundation broadened its programming, deepened community partnerships, and began operating year‑round.
Backline, a nonprofit that delivers mental‑health and wellness resources to the music industry, and HHMF, which helps artists maintain stable, healthy lives, will staff the village. Services will include on‑site eye care and vision support, massage practitioners, a body‑work recovery space, mental‑health case management, and sobriety and recovery support.
"Touring artists and their crews give in ways most audiences never see — physically, emotionally, financially," said Bo Carper, a member of New Monsoon and Board Chair of the High Sierra Foundation. "We’re deeply grateful to Harper House and Backline for helping us bring skillful, dedicated care backstage. The Wellness Village is our way of honoring the hard‑working music industry professionals who make all of this possible."
Hilary Gleason, Backline’s co‑founder and executive director, added: "It’s incredibly meaningful to be a part of bringing mental health and wellness to the artists and crew at High Sierra. This is a legacy festival that continues to evolve, and I am so happy to see it grow to provide this kind of human‑first care for the people who make it all so special."
Michele Augis, managing director of HHMF, explained: "This partnership with High Sierra Foundation and Backline represents exactly the kind of on‑the‑ground commitment our Mental Health & Wellbeing initiative was built for. Artists and their crews deserve dedicated care directly where they work, and High Sierra Music Festival is exactly the kind of community where this work belongs."
The initiative arrives at a time when mental‑health and healthcare access remain urgent concerns throughout the independent music community. By offering free, on‑site services, the festival establishes a model that other events may follow.
The wellness village will open on the festival’s first day, with staff and volunteers ready to serve attendees. It will operate throughout the four‑day event, offering services to anyone who needs them. The High Sierra Foundation will continue its philanthropic work beyond the festival, while the festival itself remains a for‑profit production.
In summary, the 2026 High Sierra Music Festival will run from July 2‑5 in Grass Valley, CA, featuring a diverse lineup and a new Backstage Wellness Village that offers free eye care, massage, mental‑health case management and sobriety support to musicians and crew. The partnership between the High Sierra Foundation, Harper House Music Foundation and Backline reflects a growing focus on health and well‑being within the music industry and provides a template for future festivals.