here are more music festivals than ever these days, with something for everyone, ranging from sensory-overloading Big Deals—Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Coachella—to single-day gatherings and road-tested electronica festivals. There are at least a handful of festivals every weekend, and a bunch around here, including Tweed River Festival, Royal Family Affair, and Wormtown. Yeah, there are a lot, which means we’re itching to get involved. It is the festival era after all. So we’ve planned a nice one-dayer for you. Sunday, September 18 is the date.

There’s one major factor that separates our outdoor music festival from the rest: It’s free. Also, it’s seriously close to home, on the Charles River in Brighton (20 Nonantum Road at the Community Rowing boathouse). We’ve brought you six bands, booked by yours truly, and they all have at least one common trait: They can all bring it live. So here it is: Meet the starting lineup for the 2011 Rumble on the River, hosted by our friends at Community Rowing Inc., and presented by MySecretBoston. And yes, there will be a chance for you to row.

Pimps of Joytime: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Based out of Brooklyn and easily the funkiest things the city of skinny jeans iconoclasts has churned out in decades, the Pimps of Joytime are instantly likeable. They’ve been out to the West Coast and back, at least twice this year alone, and have dropped sets on Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Camp Bisco, and Soulive’s Royal Family Ball. Word from the frontlines on those gatherings was highly positive: This group slays it in every setting, dropping a party-driven blend of cosmic funk, imported straight from the mothership and hopped up on a hustler’s swagger. Its party funk at its finest, and it blows my mind that PJT isn’t bigger in Boston. Either way, they are highly respected amongst the musicians in town. Our local talent loves ‘em, so why shouldn’t you?

Roots of Creation: 4:25 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.

Roots of Creation is a northeast Institution. The gritty and sometimes raunchy (and always rowdy) reggae band has a strong presence in all of the markets around here. Bred in southern New Hampshire, Roots of Creation hit the pavement harder than most. This year’s stops have included a prime slot at Gathering of the Vibes, plus a dozen or so regional fests. Last year, the five-piece group released a nicely packaged live album, which got serious love on Jambase.com, the ultimate jamband authority. Yeah, Roots of Creation can jam with the best of them, and they can drop into trance runs, but there’s plenty of song structure to catch you. “Rise Up,” “Policy,” and “Oh Lord” are up there on the list. Their choices of covers are spot on too: How ‘bout a dubby take on “You Don’t Know How it Feels,” by Tom Petty?

Sea Monsters: 3:20 p.m. to 4:05 p.m.

It’s no secret to the Cambridge/Somerville music community that the Sea Monsters is one of the best live acts in town. Captained by the Celtic rock powerhouse Christian McNeill—this guy has some of the more commanding rock songs in town—the Sea Monsters held down the Sunday shift at Precinct for three years and 150 shows. It was the best residency in town, which explains why the night was named best live ongoing residency at last year’s Boston Music Awards. The weekly shows were scaled back this year with the exception of long weekends and special appearances (the Rumble on the River will be the only free outdoor festival the band plays at this year). But it’s all for good reason: McNeill and company have put in a lot of hours at the legendary Q Division studios in Somerville capturing the vibe that’s made them one of the most in-demand live groups around town. Grab a sneak peak of what’s to come with the Sea Monsters’ debut single from early this year.

Ghosts of Jupiter (formerly Nate Wilson Group): 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.

A new name to most, but with a sound that has proven itself for decades, Ghosts of Jupiter is one of Boston’s most authentic rock acts. Having built a face-melting reputation via twin guitar lust, the band—which had operated as Nate Wilson Group for a handful of years—is fresh and ready to roll into the cosmic future. The band’s sound feeds on vintage fuzz, but the attack draws modern oil—proving the point that a lot has happened since Led Zeppelin. Ghosts of Jupiter will have a new record out by year’s end, so expect to hear some cuts from that long-awaited collection at this year’s Rumble on the River.

Dub Apocalypse: 1 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

Dub Apocalypse doesn’t just run one of the best nights in town; it has the best night in town. Week in and week out, the collective—which is led by guitarist Johnny Trama and the backline from reggae staple John Brown’s Body (drummer Tommy Benedetti and bassist Nate Edgar)—nearly tears down Bull McCabe’s, a Union Square haunt that’s a relatively new hub for creativity (and partying). Dub Apocalypse lives true to its name; there’s plenty of Sly & Robbie and classic militant dub beats to go around, but with different guests each week, coming from just about every genre conceivable, the group has the ability to dive into jazz, funk, and even classic riff-driven rock battles. Check out this live gem featuring special guests Dana Colley from Morphine and Eli Winderman from Dopapod.

Banana Phonetic: Noon to 12:40 p.m.

The only repeat act from last year’s Rumble on the River, Banana Phonetic has probably grown more than any Boston band over the past 12 months. With a fresh EP on the market, The Facts of Evolution, which got a rowdy toast at a recent release party at the Middle East, the five-piece L.A.-based group (Lower Allston, that is), is oozing with new music. Songs roll through these guys on a weekly basis, and although it's still a relatively young band (just three years in the making), the group’s maturity level, especially in the songwriting department, is rising fast. All five members bring something to the table. With a personality that could be broken down into bouts of inspiration from My Morning Jacket, the Flaming Lips, and Pavement, BP is honing in on a sound of its own. The live show is where it all comes out.

Set Times: Sunday, September 18

Pimps of Joytime: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Roots of Creation: 4:25 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.

Sea Monsters: 3:20 p.m. to 4:05 p.m.

Ghosts of Jupiter (Nate Wilson Group): 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Dub Apocalypse: 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Banana Phonetic: noon to 12:40 p.m.

The Official Kickoff Party: Saturday, September 17 at Church (18+, $10 cover)

The Macrotones: 11:30 p.m.

Otis Grove: 10:15 p.m.

Sixth Degree: 9 p.m.

RSVP on Facebook

Become a fan of the Rumble on the River on Facebook for the latest info on the event, including ways to win a spot in the VIP beer garden.

For directions to Community Rowing Inc. (20 Nonantum Rd., Brighton, MA 02135) please use Google Maps.