Chestnut Grove and Big Shrimp back at the Factory
Schedule
Sat, 18 Apr, 2026 at 08:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
603 W College Ave, Appleton, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54911 | Appleton, WI
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Get ready for an amazing night of music as some of Appleton's favorite sons and daughters, Chestnut Grove, return. And, if that wasn't enough, we will be bringing Big Shrimp back to Appleton Music Factory7:30 - Doors
8:00 - Big Shrimp
9:30 - Chestnut Grove
$20 - Advance / $25 - Day of
Chestnut Grove
Led by the trio of Dee, James Daniels & John Tyler, who graduated High School together in 2011. They have been crafting their sound and carving out a dedicated following in the North East, South East and Midwestern US for more than a decade. Making every fan old and new feel a part of one big family.
From 2015 - 2018 the band released a few self-made EP’s and one LP. 2015’s “Perkiomenville” was made with producer/engineer Owen McGreehan in James’ parent’s barn. Featuring the bands first hit “Angry Beaver”. During the bands short lived partnership with Manager Trevor Kerin of Plug in Rewind, they released 2017’s “Let it Down” which was recorded at Kawari Sound with legendary Philly producer Bill Moriarty. Bill has worked with artists like Dr. Dog. The EP features fan favorites “Whiskey Hand” and “Let it Down”. 2018’s “Black Champagne” was released by Drexel’s Mad Dragon Records and recorded/produced by Chris Cachuela at Chaplin’s Music Room in Spring City, PA.
Due to the local/regional success of the band they joined the Nimbleslick roster with bands like Wild Adriatic and Consider the Source in 2017. From 2017 to the day the pandemic started in March of 2020 Chestnut Grove was playing clubs, bars, music series’s and festivals almost 3-5 nights a week. Due to financial instability, and uncertainty of when they could start touring again the band just laid low, worked on new songs and the live show until things slowly started to open back up in the summer of 2021.
The release of their debut studio record “The Album” in 2021 garnered critical acclaim from American Songwriter, NPR, Philly Mag, XPN, EQX, along with a sold out show at Ardmore music Hall recorded and distributed by Nugs.net.
In 2022 and 2023 the band released a series of singles set to be on the 2023 release “Can’t Stand the Music”. The title track “Cant Stand the Music” and single “Bumpin to the Bass Kid” both cracked the top 100 on the “Sub Modern Charts”. The band also made appearances at Mile of Music in Appleton, WI, - XPoNential Music Fest in Camden, NJ and Rock the Dock in Lake George, NY in 2022 and 2023 and again in 2025.
“The Album” and “Can’t Stand the Music” were both recorded/produced at Barn Sound Studios with the bands producer Derek Chaffin. With more gear at their disposal and Derek’s infinite wisdom in the studio. The band began to blossom as recording artists and really explore their eclectic musical pallets.
The Can’t Stand the Music LP did not get released until January 2024. Due to the financial hardships of touring, the entire process was delayed. During this time founding members Gary Geers & Zach Winkler both decided to move on from the band. After 10+ years together they decided to throw a “Ta Ta For Now Tour” in the Fall of 2023 and finish the record.
The “Ta Ta for Now Tour” was ironically one of the best runs the band ever had. The tour featured sold out shows at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, NY and Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA. With other stops at some of their favorite spots like Appleton, WI - Saranac Lake, NY - Erie, PA - Charlottesville, VA. and more…
The band was officially back in 2025 working with new members Jared Filer - Bass, Shannon Murphy - keys, and sometimes Jeff Mann - Percussion, Connor Dunn - Saxophone, Alex Styer - Trumpet/Percussion Vince Gleason - Saxophone. They're also back in the studio, and working towards releasing new material, Spring of 2026
Big Shrimp
Big Shrimp is a young high-octane progressive improvised rock band formed in 2024 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, blending danceable funk, exploratory rock, and fearless improvisation into a sound that’s as intricate as it is infectious. Built on diverse, catchable songwriting delivered by all four members Jared Sage Cowen (Guitar/Vocals), Max Perrotti (Bass/Vocals, Daniel Cohen (Keys/Vocals), Henry Thomas (Drums/Vocals), Big Shrimp’s material has quickly earned national attention, including placement on Spotify’s Modern Jam Band editorial playlist.
Known for their adventurous live shows, the band balances tightly crafted originals with fresh, unexpected covers — from Down Under to Elmo’s Song — all filtered through their playful, high-energy lens. These performances have helped cultivate a fiercely loyal fanbase known as The Prawn Stars, whose growing presence in rooms across the country has fueled the band’s rapid rise. That momentum landed Big Shrimp on Grateful Web’s “Top 12 Upcoming Jam Bands to Watch in 2026,” further cementing their status as a breakout act.
“They’re pure heat: long sets, huge grooves, and a rhythm section that feels like it could carry an entire block party by itself. Guitarist Jared Sage Cowen leads this squad on guitar to deliver a dance-worthy blend of prog rock, blues rock, and funk. Their fan base is growing fast because the shows are fun, joyful, sweaty, and full of personality.”
— GratefulWeb
In late 2025, Big Shrimp released The Prawno Tapes, Vol. 3, the band’s third live album, capturing highlights from an extensive Summer and Fall tour that included standout performances at Northlands Festival alongside Umphrey’s McGee, moe., Corey Wong, and more. The tour also saw the band supporting Spafford, Eggy, Big Something, and Magic Beans, expanding their national footprint. That momentum carried into a sold-out Phish After Party in NYC following Phish’s MSG New Year’s Eve run, a show covered by Live For Live Music.
“...yielding some of the funkiest, most cathartic and most primal energy of the set. With catchy melodies, impressive solos, complex arrangements, and shifting tempos and moods, the band kept you on your toes and bobbing your head the entire show.”
— NYSMusic
Halloween has become a signature pillar of the Big Shrimp experience. In 2025, the band unleashed their 2nd Annual Halloween Extravaganza (and Sage Entertainment’s 8th produced), transforming the show into an engaging, theatrical spectacle. The night featured an original, story-driven reinterpretation of Forrest Gump, interwoven with original debuts, themed covers, massive props, colossal shrimp, boats, ping pong tournaments, and more — a tradition the band plans to expand annually.
Alongside their live momentum, Big Shrimp has gained significant traction on TikTok, where viral performance clips and behind-the-scenes content consistently reach 20,000+ views, earning the band a reputation as one of the most viral young bands in the jam and improvised rock scene. This online growth has translated directly into packed rooms and a rapidly expanding national fanbase.
Currently, Big Shrimp is charging through an extensive 2026 Winter Tour, highlighted by four Colorado debut performances, including a headlining appearance at the legendary Cervantes’, alongside a Northeast run featuring Twiddle’s Ryan Dempsey as support for two consecutive nights. On the studio front, the band released their debut single “Rex” on January 9th, the first taste of their forthcoming debut studio album.
With more tours, festival appearances — including breaking ground on one of their own — additional live releases, and their debut album on the horizon, Big Shrimp is charging full steam into 2026 with no signs of slowing down.
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Where is it happening?
603 W College Ave, Appleton, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54911Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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