Hookahville 60 Music Festival Recap — Get Inside Ohio’s Longest Running Jam Band Festival

In this episode of the Music Festivals Podcast, I recap Hookahville 60, an Ohio music festival that has run twice annually (Spring and Fall) for 30 years.

Get an inside look at this Ohio-grown iconic jam band festival, with this in-depth recap. I review standout performances including memorable sets from Ed McGee and other special guests, and share my thoughts on the Roost on the River venue, touching on everything from logistics and camping to amenities. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories, plenty of shoutouts to the Hookahville community, and highlights of unique festival traditions like creative theme nights and crowd activities.

The band Ekoostik Hookah, born in a smoky Columbus basement back in ’91, has become a cornerstone of the Midwest jam scene. Known for weaving together psychedelic rock, blues, funk, jazz, and bluegrass, their signature “hookah” sound is built on improvisation and that electric energy only a live crowd can bring. For over 30 years, they’ve toured relentlessly, hosted the legendary Hookahville festival since '94, and kept fans dancing coast to coast. Founding members like Dave Katz, Steve Sweney, and Eric Lanese have steered the ship while welcoming a rotating crew of talented musicians.