Jesse Iaquinto of Fireside Collective — Family, Festivals & Music Flow

In episode 53 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down fireside with Jesse Iaquinto, frontman and songwriter for Fireside Collective, for a conversation about family, festivals, and unique bluegrass-jam grooves that have made his band a mainstay on the festival circuit.

Jesse and I dig into what’s going on behind the scenes as Fireside Collective gets ready for their appearance at Watermelon Pickers’ Festival, reflect on the band’s musical direction, and revisit some of Jesse’s most memorable moments both on stage and around the festival campfire.

Jesse pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be a touring musician while keeping family at the center. “When I'm off the road, it's a lot of family time. You know, I try and soak it up as much as possible. Also try and bring them on the road because I just love festivals,” he shares, painting a picture of a life where the joy of music and family fold into one another. His young daughter, Rose, is already a presence on- and off-stage, with Jesse recalling festival moments when, mid-solo, she’s tugging at his jeans to step into the spotlight.

Fireside Influences

The episode takes a closer look at how bluegrass and Americana remain vibrant by embracing everything from punk and hip hop to Pink Floyd. For Jesse, bringing drums into the band’s setup recently wasn’t just a sonic decision—it was a way to be more authentic:

“We love bluegrass, but none of us grew up in, like, these heavy bluegrass families,” he explains. By letting their influences from the ‘90s and early 2000s seep in, Fireside Collective has found a fresh way to surprise festival crowds, whether by covering Green Day or stretching out on a mandolin-driven jam.

We also talk about why music festivals feel so different from a typical show. Jesse puts it best:

“I have a personal theory that, like, you absorb that. Like, I found that when I go to a festival and I just show up and play my set and go home and don't experience the festival, it doesn't…do much for the soul. And I've found that…the ones that…we stay up all night and pick around the fire…it grows the community and it shows that we're not just there for the paycheck.”

For Jesse and the rest of the band, those late-night picking circles are just as vital as the spotlight sets, keeping the “spiritual fulfillment” bar high and the Fireside collective spirit alive.

New Music From Fireside Collective

With a new single, “Memphis in the Morning,” just released and a full-length album on the way—their first with drums—there’s a lot cooking for Fireside Collective fans.

If you’re curious for an inside look into what makes bluegrass festivals tick, how community and collaboration shape bands, and why these experiences keep musicians and fans coming back year after year, don’t miss this heartfelt, wide-ranging conversation.

Watch the full video for some candid festival stories or catch the podcast wherever you listen—either way, you’ll walk away ready for that next night around the campfire.

Fuel the Music with DLaw Coffee Company

Ready to take your festival mornings (or any morning) up a notch? Meet DLaw Coffee Company—the official fuel behind our early starts and late-night memories. Crafted by Drury Anderson (yep, the powerhouse vocalist and mandolin shredder behind Mountain Grass Unit), DLaw’s small-batch, high-octane blends are tailored for music lovers, festival wanderers, and anyone who lives for a little extra kick in their cup.

Start with the Heady Breakfast blend—smooth, bold, and festival-ready. Need more oomph for those sunrise sets? Level up with Heady Breakfast Plus for a serious caffeine boost. And if a touch of flavor sets the mood, Mr. Charlie’s Cinnabon flavor is a must-add to your lineup.

Sip what the musicians sip and savor the spirit of community, adventure, and pure musical energy with every bag. Ready to try it? Grab yours now at dlawcoffeecompany.com and make your next cup a festival experience—wherever you are. DLaw Coffee Company: Fuel the Music.

Next Week: INKCARCERATION Music & Tattoo Festival Recap

Next week, I’m super excited to share something completely different for the podcast and channel—and, it's a must-watch for anyone who loves music festivals with big energy, wild stories, and truly unique vibes.

We’re dropping our documentary on INKCARCERATION Music & Tattoo Festival. Produced annually by Danny Wimmer Presents, this festival has become a legendary event for blending world-class metal and some of the country's top Tattoo artists with the insanely creepy cell blocks of the historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be surrounded by 50,000+ attendees who are all into dark arts, mosh pits and crowdsurfing, you’re going to want to catch this next episode. We’ll be bringing you right into the belly of the beast, sharing backstage stories, band and attendee interviews and all kinds of crazy footage that will give you a closer look at what makes this festival unlike any other I've attended.

Make sure to subscribe and tune in for that full length festival documentary.  And, as a bonus, you'll get to meet my oldest son Kaden who is the metalhead of the family and came along on the trip as my "INKmate" to enjoy his first music festival experience!

Festival Performance of the Week:

Clips from this week's festival performance of the week is was featured in the documentary, and so I want to send a special shout out to All One Productions for capturing the full set from Fireside Collective at 4848 that you can watch below.  I had to leave before they played, but the set is outstanding and their style of bluegrass meshed with all kinds of other genres and crazy jams is just plain good ol' festival entertainment.

You can catch Jesse and the rest of Fireside Collective (and maybe a shaker cameo from Rose!) during their upcoming show at the 21st Annual Watermelon Picker's Festival that will be held September September 4-6, in Berryville, VA. 

But for now, enjoy this set from the fellas at Fireside Collective from our friends at All One Productions!