The Dustbowl Revival is an energetic collective that blends bluegrass, gospel, blues and swing to create a joyful Americana sound.

The eight members create high-energy shows that bring crowds to its feet. The band, voted "Best Live Band in L.A." by The LA Weekly, is a traveling mini-orchestra that includes fiddle, ukulele, mandolin, drums, trombone, clarinet, washboard and kazoo.

The Dustbowl Revival plays at 7:30 p.m. June 26, Levitt Pavilion, SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. The concert is free.

In a recent phone interview from his California home, 24-year-old bandleader Zach Lupetin says he was born in Chicago, lived in Michigan and New York, and traveled to 18 countries before settling in Venice Beach and forming The Dustbowl Revival.

"I was a filmmaker in Prague. I was a student in Spain," says Lupetin. "I went exploring." But his love of music was always apparent. "I no longer have a choice," says Lupetin. "I have to do it."

The Dustbowl Revival, a reference to John Steinbeck's 1939 novel "The Grapes of Wrath," symbolizes folks who were driven to California, often regarded as "the land of opportunity."

Lupetin felt that way about moving west. "L.A. had a mysterious allure to it, a new frontier feel. I had stars in my eyes, but quickly acclimated to the reality of the ground."

Lupetin's music inspirations are Louie Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman -- "early pre-war blues," says Lupetin. "Lyrically, I was a fan of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash."

Dustbowl's "Dan's Jam," off its first LP, "You Can't Go Back to the Garden of Eden," was chosen Americana Song of The Year at the Independent Music Awards.

After releasing "Holy Ghost Station" in 2011, the band spent two years playing concert bills with groups including The Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty and Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers.

Dustbowl's 2013 album, "Carry Me Home," is still on the folk charts.

The band's exuberant video, "Ballad of the Bellhop," captures the music scene in L.A. and depicts an enthusiastic, swing-dancing community joining in.

Band members, in addition to Lupetin, guitars and vocals, are Liz Beebe, vocals and washboard; Daniel Mark, mandolin; Connor Vance, fiddle; Mat Rubin, trumpet; Ulf Bjorlin, trombone; Josiah Mory, bass, and Josh Heffernan, drums. Guest musicians often join in.

"There are almost 20 people that can play with us at any given time," says Lupetin. "So every show can be different."

It's a quality the band strives for: finding the right combination of songs to fit each audience. "We adjust as we go, to the environment. Tailoring each show can be daunting."

Spontaneity and improvisation are important to Lupetin. "Playing the same set is boring to me. And it's unfair to the audience."

Dustbowl is touring the East Coast, starting in Portland, Me., then on to Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. Lupetin says the venues vary:

"We mix it up, between big cities and small places. On the whole, outdoor crowds are the best you can ask for."

Plans are for a new live album in the next year. "We'll try to translate the energy of a live show to a recording, to harness the connection between the band and the audience," says Lupetin.

"We work best when we have an educated audience who knows the history of Americana. They can join us in feeling the music."