Follow the Arrow Festival returns this Saturday for its fourth year—this time at a new venue, the Griffin House in Palenville. Curated by Saugerties-based keyboardist and songwriter Marco Benevento, the festival brings together a genre-blurring lineup of artists in an intimate, collaborative setting. We spoke with Benevento about the festival’s evolution, life in the Catskills, and how his idea of success has shifted over time.
How did Follow the Arrow begin—and how has it changed over four years?
We started at Arrowood Farms, then moved to Bearsville Theater, and now we’re at the Griffin House, run by Simon Felice of The Felice Brothers. I saw a show there last summer and fell in love with it. They said, “You should do your festival here,” and I was like, “Yeah, let’s change it up.” That’s part of the spirit—Follow the Arrow. It’s a small, one-day fest—just 400 to 600 people, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., and very family-friendly. I invite my favorite musicians. It’s grown a lot, and I’m really excited about this year.
How do you build the lineup?
I work with a great booking agent, Joey Motha from The Space Agency. I make a wish list, and he helps bring it to life. This year we’ve got Azymuth, an incredible Brazilian trio I’ve loved for years, and Brainstory from California—amazing singers and songwriters.
The festival is known for spontaneous collaboration. Will we see more of that?
Definitely. Leon Michaels—aka Del Michaels Affair—is DJing, and he might sit in. We’ve got two vinyl DJs for the first time. In past years, lots of musicians ended up jamming together at the end of the night. That kind of magic always happens.
What drew you to the Hudson Valley?
My wife and I were living in Brooklyn with kids and a growing collection of instruments. We always knew we’d head upstate. I’m from New Jersey, went to Berklee in Boston.
Fourteen years later, I still walk into my backyard and think, “I can’t believe I live here.” The space, the people—it’s a beautiful community. When I moved, people reached out for gigs. I linked up with Levon Helm before he passed, and now I play with Amy Helm. Kate Pierson from the B-52s was over the other day recording a Christmas song.
How would you describe the creative scene here now?
It’s flourishing. There’s such a range—John Medeski, Jack DeJohnette, DJs, rock bands. Studios are everywhere. People come from the city to record and connect. Even in the woods, everything’s happening.
Has your definition of success changed?
Totally. Back in Brooklyn, success meant packed gigs and constant hustle. Now, it’s about happiness. I feel successful because I’m happy. I live in a great place, surrounded by people who check in and inspire me. It’s not just about the next show—it’s about finding time to ride bikes with my kid. That’s the goal now.
Does “Follow the Arrow” carry personal meaning?
It’s the name of a song from “The Story of Fred Short,” an album I made about a fictional character on my street. That’s it, really—no deep origin. But if you want to read into it, maybe it’s a personal compass. Follow what feels right. Follow the arrow.
Noah Eckstein is the editor-in-chief of The Overlook. Send correspondence to noah@theoverlooknews.com.