With hundreds of West Michigan performers jamming stages in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend, Local Spins spotlights some must-see acts in this guide to ‘the best of Fest.’
Sets crafted just for the occasion, special tributes, collaborations between musicians from different bands.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
For more than four decades, Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts has given West Michigan musicians that once-a-year opportunity to showcase what they do for a large and diverse audience in downtown Grand Rapids – often with a twist.
Take Irish-American folk’s Conklin Ceili Band, led by Mick Lane, which plays the Rosa Parks Circle Stage at 9:15 p.m. Saturday.
With the death earlier this week of influential folk icon Jean Ritchie, Lane plans to perform a solo song at the end of the Celtic-propelled band’s performance in Ritchie’s honor.
“I’m very sad to lose this sweet, dear friend,” said Lane, who co-produced last year’s double-album tribute to the folk singer, “Dear Jean,” which featured legends such as Judy Collins, Pete Seeger and Janis Ian, with contributions from Michigan artists Rachael Davis, Ralston Bowles and May Erlewine. “She was just a genuine person. Not only was she an icon, but was such a dear sweet friend.”
Meanwhile, Rev Charles Preston Smith’s colorful and delightfully irreverent rock band PotatoeBabies is dedicating its usual onslaught of “beach balls, toilet paper, cake and music” on the City Stage at 5:15 p.m. Sunday to the memory of dear friend Christina Marie Bivins, the daughter of longtime Festival of the Arts ambassadors Fred and Gina Bivins.
“Her friends looked to her for answers to anything behind the scenes in theater, concerts and production,” Smith recalls of his friend who passed away last November. “I was afraid there would never be anyone in my life again that really got me and my shtick. … Chris taught me how to trust and believe in what is right and true.”
Of course, with more than 250 performances on six stages, the free-admission festival – which kicks off at noon Friday and runs through early evening on Sunday – has way more to offer than is humanly possible to absorb. So, Local Spins once again presents its picks of Festival sets to check out, courtesy of some well-known local musicians and its summer staff of writers. (The full Festival schedule is at festivalgr.org.)
It’s just the tip of the iceberg, but a good place to start.
MUSICIANS’ PICKS
MOLLY BOUWSMA-SCHULTZ
Lead singer, Vox Vidorra
(Bouwsma-Schultz leads Molly & Friends in a set at the Local First Street Party at 5 p.m. Saturday)
Rick Chyme, 4 p.m. Friday, Rosa Parks Circle Stage – Rick has a gift of putting words together in a way that is inspiring and uplifting. Accompanied by beats and grooves that move you through the stories he’s telling, its hip hop that goes beyond just getting dancing, it gets you thinking. Rick will tell you, “Push it past potential each day manifest your dreams.” Because that’s how to 5iveit. Look into it.
AOK, 7 p.m. Friday, UICA – AOK is a high energy electric pop duo that creates a atmosphere that will make you dance and vibe out. Drawing from rhythm and blues and rock influences, I hear Little Dragon and Sleigh Bells while they definitely maintain their own sound. Angela B has an incredible voice and stage presence that is perfectly complemented by Kyle Sullivan’s guitar riffs, production and easygoing, passionate style. Go party with AOK!
The Blue Water Ramblers, noon Sunday, Outer Fringe Stage – The Blue Water Ramblers truly represent Michigan traditional folk and Bluegrass from the root. Each member of the group has been playing with and expanding their love for the genre for over 40 years. With occasional guest appearances, the group consists of Bear Berends on guitar, Banjo Jim Foerch on banjo, Dan Lynn on bass fiddle and Tom Devries on mandolin. Not only are they all skilled instrumentalists, but also sing lovely three- and four-part harmonies together while performing songs that speak of modern society and of a time gone by. They are known to put in a few Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan songs in the mix for good measure as well. The group is also is very family-friendly and interactive. Get Ramblin’.
MARK SWANSON
Guitarist, 13th Hour and solo
(He plays at 12:45 p.m. Saturday with 13th Hour on the Calder Stage, 3 p.m. solo on the Outer Fringe Stage)
Emma Lou and Sam, 3:45 p.m. Friday, Clock Tower Stage – They are very different and very entertaining, and Sam can kick higher than any musician in town while he plays guitar. And he is hands down, the best whistler I have heard.
Jukejoint Handmedowns, 6:45 p.m. Friday, City Stage – No one in town does this better than they do: alt-neo, folky stuff. Great guys.
Ned Rouse, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Clock Tower Stage – Ned is totally fearless, and highly original with a technical edge that does not get in his way. He is a longtime festival guy; cool stuff.
NICHOLAS JAMES THOMASMA
Guitarist, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and solo
(He plays with the Bandwagon at 1 p.m. Saturday on the City Stage and solo at 5:15 p.m. at UICA)
The Legal Immigrants, 1:30 p.m. Friday, Calder Stage – I don’t know who decided it was good idea to have The Legal Immigrants play at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, but it’s gonna get LOUD! They will rock the tie right off your suit, unless you’re a lady, in which case you’re in even bigger trouble.
Devin & The Dead Frets, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, City Stage – Apparently, kids from small towns have nothing else to do but practice. The Dead Frets are a perfect example of a small-town band with a big-city rock sound. They are a great choice for Saturday night at Festival.
PotatoeBabies, 5:15 p.m. Sunday, City Stage – If you want to know how to put on a show at Festival of the Arts, just come see Rev Charles do his thing. There is a reason he’s on last every year. No one can follow this act. No one would want to.
REV CHARLES PRESTON SMITH
Guitarist-singer, PotatoeBabies
(He performs with PotatoeBabies at 5:15 p.m. Sunday on the City Stage)
Murder Party, 8:45 p.m. Friday, City Stage – The name is deceiving. These are three of the nicest boys you will ever meet. And their music is the happiest, foot-stomping punk rock you will ever hear. If I was starting my PotatoeBabies from scratch, Murder Party is the band I would create. Bring the entire family and leave smiling, remembering every song.
13th Hour, 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Calder Stage – They’re described as “good old classic rock … with a difference.” And the difference? That must be the fact that EVERY tune is done uniquely as their own and they nail it every time. The vocal harmonies are as smooth as music. You will leave wanting more.
Swineharts, 11:15 a.m. Sunday, City Stage – Swineharts is another band name that is as confusing as PotatoeBabies. And their description as “original comedy rock” does not do the band justice. Larry Bate is a singer-songwriter I consider the most under-appreciated in Michigan. Whether the full band is rocking until 5 a.m. at a biker party or Larry Bate is flying solo for thousands at an ArtPrize event, everyone leaves demanding a copy of all the songs they just heard.
WRITERS’ PICKS
TAYLOR MANSEN
Local Spins writer
American WiFi, 7 p.m. Saturday, Clock Tower Stage – Founded about a half-decade ago, the guys in American Wifi draw quite the crowd. With an impeccable blend of pop and rock and their high-energy performances, they know how to get people dancing throughout a show. A must-see at Festival of the Arts.
Coldville, 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Calder Stage – Coldville brings a new vibe to the rock scene today. With a strong standing in the local music community, they have played shows all over the Grand Rapids area and continue to make themselves known. Coldville is the perfect ending with a punch to your Saturday night at Festival.
Velcrofibs, 10 a.m. Sunday, Outer Fringe Stage – Start your Sunday morning off right at Festival with the mellow and laid-back indie hooks and verses of Velcrofibs. The alternative indie-rock band has an inviting sound that is emerging in the local music scene, and is another must-see.
JORDAN MCNAUGHTON
Local Spins Writer
Hi-Ker, 4:30 p.m. Friday, City Stage – Indie-pop/electronic outfit, hi-ker, have been keeping busy since releasing its debut self-titled EP last fall, playing a variety of intimate live shows, including one in Grand Rapids’ vintage shop, Flashback. Its music sports rich, textured electronics paired with electronic guitars, vocals, and drums to create what the band called in a Local Spins interview, ” a cohesive wall of sound.” Hi-ker is capable of putting on a captivating, genre-blurring show for those who choose to catch them at this year’s Festival.
Hollywood Makeout, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Clock Tower Stage – What better way to kick off summer then with this surf-rock group who make ample use of driven bass lines, tasteful reverb, and no holds barred vocals from front woman Erin Lenau? The band’s 2014 full-length, “Bikini Bat,” was nominated for Album of the Year at the Jammie Awards. Although the band sounds great coming from a pair of headphones, Hollywood Makeout would be best enjoyed outside on a summer day.
Ty Beat, 7:45 p.m. Saturday, UICA – Formally jazz-trained drummer Tyler Bennett (Ty Beat), combines feverous live percussion with funky, original electronic tracks. The result is a one-of-a-kind performance that is, to quote his artist biography, “a high-energy live experience that falls somewhere between a punk-rock show and rave.” Perfect for those who want to get down as the sun sets.
ETHAN DOMBROWSKI
Local Spins writer
Hi-Ker, 4:30 p.m. Friday, City Stage – The Grand Rapids-based indie-pop/electronic band brings groovy synths and a unique, mellow style to Festival year. Hi-ker creates a vibrant atmosphere using an array of musical techniques, drawing influence from artists like Aphex Twin, David Bowie and Animal Collective.
AOK, 7 p.m. Friday, UICA – The duo hits Festival with a high-energy electronic pop performance in a mercurial, breakneck fashion. Rapid Growth Media describes AOK as having “an edged-up, danceable poppy sound with big beats marrying massive rifts.”
Aria Flame, 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Clock Tower Stage – Aria Flame is an acclaimed “neo-classical metal band” with an energetic attitude. The band puts on an entertaining and whimsical performance by combining eerie chords, circus-like melodies and intricate percussive pieces.
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC