Steve Winwood, Gov’t Mule, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Roots, Ben Folds Five and The Word (ft. Robert Randolph, John Medeski and the North Mississippi Allstars) are among the initial acts confirmed for the 8th annual Mountain Jam. The festival will return to Hunter, NY’s Hunter Mountain from May 31-June 3. Other acts slated to appear include: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Travelin’ McCourys w/ Keller Williams, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Dawes, Gary Clark Jr., Givers, Charles Bradley, Bustle In Your Hedgerow,EOTO, Anders Osborne, Zach Deputy, Break Science, Marco Benevento, Wolf!, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds and Rolling Stone cover contest winners The Sheepdogs.

Gov’t Mule has performed the festival every year since its inception while Franti has been a Mountain Jam regular for many years. Ben Folds’ Mountain Jam appearance is part of a reunion tour behind the trio’s new studio album.

The festival’s forward-thinking Awareness Village will once again host a special acoustic stage, as well as exhibits from not-for-profit organizations and environmental groups, children’s entertainment, performance and sculpture art, physical and spiritual healing, a beer and wine garden, and much more. Mountain Jam veteran Michael Franti & Spearhead will be gracing the Festival stage for their 7th straight appearance and will once again perform an intimate acoustic set in the Awareness Village.

New in 2012, Mountain Jam will offer a limited number of Luxury Pre-Pitched Tents on the Mountain atop the Concert Field and Awareness Village. Festival Passes are now available at Early Bird prices for $150, and with camping for $180. A limited number of VIP Festival Passes are now on sale for $440, which includes Thursday admission and VIP camping. Single day tickets will be available in the spring.

Here’s a look at the festival’s initial lineup

Steve Winwood
Gov’t Mule
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Roots
Ben Folds Five
The Word (ft. Robert Randolph, John Medeski, and the N. Miss. Allstars)
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Travelin’ McCourys w/ Keller Williams
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Dawes
Gary Clark Jr.
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Givers
Charles Bradley
Mariachi El Bronx
Bustle In Your Hedgerow
EOTO
Anders Osborne
Sara Watkins
Zach Deputy
Break Science
Planet of the Abts
The Lee Boys
Marco Benevento
Wolf!
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds
The Sheepdogs
The Brew
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Ground Up
Pedrito Martinez
Zee Avi
Aunt Martha
Kopecky Family Band
Lauren Shera
Uncle Lucius
Connor Kennedy Band