Comedian and actor Hannibal Buress, the Emcee of the inaugural Bitter Jester Music Festival, July 4, 2006. Hannibal was the winner of our Comedy Competition that ran in 2006/2007.

bitter jester music festival previous winners and participants

A list of all winners going all the way back to the summer of 2006!

This page is under construction. Bear with us as we continue digging through our archives…

Comedian and actor Hannibal Buress performs his winning standup set on June 4, 2006 (upper left) and Emcees the 1st Annual Bitter Jester Music Fest on July 4, 2006.

17th Annual Bitter Jester Music Festival, 2023

Grand Champions: Scorched Waves
Runners-Up: Ur Mom
Honorable Mention: Heat Above

Preliminary Concert Winners: David’s House • Heat Above • Beekman • Free Joel

Wild Card Picks: Fightin’ Bob • Misplaced Religion • Scorched Waves • Ur Mom

Showcase Bands: Exit 122 • Livingroom

More 2023 info & Photos

16th Annual Bitter Jester Music Festival, 2022

Grand Champions: Summer Drive
Runners-Up: Summer League
Honorable Mention: Scorched Waves

Preliminary Concert Winners: Keep The Eleven • Scorched Waves • Fightin’ Bob • Summer Drive

Wild Card Picks: New Age Americans • Summer League • Fluctuation* • Venganza

(Listen to the Wild Card Bands announced by Dash, live on 101.9 The Mix New Music Club!)

Showcase Bands: Exit 122 • Opening Day

*Chainsaw Boyz had to withdraw; Fluctuation swooped in to the rescue!

More 2022 info & Photos

15th Annual Bitter Jester Music Festival, 2021

Grand Champions: Summer Drive
Runners-Up: Pretoria
Honorable Mention: The Adem Dalipi Band

Preliminary Concert Winners: Venganza • Summer Drive • Quick and Painless • Pretoria

Wild Card Picks: Fluctuation • The Adem Dalipi Band • Quite Frankly the Band • Scorched Waves

(Listen to the Wild Card Bands announced by Dash, live on 101.9 The Mix New Music Club!)

Showcase Bands: Feed the Monkeys • Opening Day

More 2021 info & photos

2021 Grand Champions: Summer Drive *(photo: Elliot Mandel)*

First Ever Virtual Original Song Competition - “14.5th” Annual Bitter Jester Music Festival, 2020

Winner: “Keep Two Stepping” by Pretoria
2nd Place: “Shell City” by Feed the Monkeys
3rd Place: “Your Anything” by Double Identity
Honorable Mention: “Sleigh” by Tess Clare & Maddie Renner
Fan Favorite: “Collapse” by F.L.A.M.E.

Weekly Finalists: “The Beautiful Things You Do” (Ian Jake Robleza) • “Seven Stars” (Fluctuation) • “Shell City” (Feed the Monkeys) • “Keep Two Stepping” (Pretoria)

Weekly Fan Favorites: “Where My Life Remains” (Watchtower) • “Collapse” (F.L.A.M.E.) • “Peach Trees” (Ax and the Hatchetmen) • “Gentleman” (Quick & Painless)

Producer’s Picks: “Sleigh” (Tess Clare & Maddie Renner) • “Your Love for the End of the World (The Cuz) • “Your Anything” (Double Identity) • “Slouched” (Shipwreck Kelly)

More 2020 info & photos