With thousands of attendees reveling in sets by some of Michigan’s biggest stars, last weekend’s Hoxeyville was a true celebration of ‘the good stuff.’ (Story, photos, video)
Celebrating Another Hoxey: Billy Strings, Don Julin and Kevin Gills delivered a crowd-pleasing set. (Photo/Anna Sink)
Take it from Hoxeyville veteran Seth Bernard, who performed on stage several times over the weekend.
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Hoxey Hijinks: Graham Parsons of The Go Rounds. (Photo/Anna Sink)
This year’s music festival in the Manistee National Forest – which drew a much bigger crowd than 2014 – was a special affair.
“It was smooth and mellow, well organized, incredible performances, great camaraderie among musicians, staff and attendees. The older we get, the sweeter it is to share in the good stuff,” gushed Bernard, who especially relished his opportunity to play with mentor Frank Youngman on Sunday as part of a 10-piece all-star band backing the guitarist.
“Festival director Jake Robinson sitting in with Greensky Bluegrass on Friday night and taking a super tasty solo was really special. Watching my daughter, Iris, dance while I played my set on Friday made for some next-level joy.”
Even newbies were impressed with the atmosphere and the lineup, which featured scintillating sets by Greensky Bluegrass (offering up two straight nights of groovy bluegrass jams), Joshua Davis Trio, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Airborne or Aquatic?, The Go Rounds and much more.
On Stage Again: Seth Bernard. (Photo/Anna Sink)
“It was relaxing and easy to just enjoy music,” said Lea Oliver, a Rockford Brewing Co. employee who attended her first Hoxeyville. “I feel that most festivals have a lot going on, which can sometimes can distract from the music. The highlight for me was seeing The Go Rounds. I love those guys! The energy they bring to the stage is infectious.”
More than anything, Hoxeyville – located near Wellston, Mich. – is simply a homey celebration of rootsy regional music.
As Bernard put it, “The festival is a continuation of the rich local musical lineage and an incubator for the scene. It helps us all bring out the best in what we have to offer and try to dig deeper each year.”
Local Spins dug deeper as well.
After posting a photo gallery and story from Day 1’s opening salvo last weekend, we’ve compiled another photo gallery covering Day 2 and Day 3 of the festival, along with some video highlights. Consider it a visual memento for those that were there and some colorful documentation for those that weren’t.
PHOTO GALLERY: Hoxevyille Day 2 and 3
Photos by Anna Sink
VIDEO: Hoxeyville Day 1 Highlights
Video by John Sinkevics
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
Hey, where are pics, video, and comments on day 2 and 3?
A computer phantom must have been at work. Yipes. The glitch has been corrected and the photo gallery has been restored: http://wp.me/p2aLby-aWW