Unfolding this weekend north of Harbor Springs, the star-studded festival features Trevor Hall, Ozomatli, Steve Poltz, Michigan native Lindsay Lou and many more. The Local Spins preview.
Heading Back Home: Lindsay Lou will perform with her trio at the first festival she ever attended. (Photo/Katy Batdorff)
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO, TICKET LINKS
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
When the 2025 edition of Blissfest unfolds north of Harbor Springs next week, regular attendees and newcomers will experience the wide-ranging mix of music and activities that have made this a Michigan favorite for more than four decades.
With headlining sets by folk/roots/reggae artist Trevor Hall, eclectic rock group Ozomatli, soulful Americana act Dustbowl Revival, pop-rocker Steve Poltz, world music-infused jam band Toubab Krewe, bluegrass outfit JigJam and Michigan native and folk/bluegrass/pop singer-songwriter Lindsay Lou, this year’s packed lineup also includes a host of local and regional stars.
“Bliss was the first Michigan music festival i ever attended and it changed my life,” gushes Lindsay Lou, now based in Nashville with a “new baby in tow.”
“I think this will be my four time playing it. … I attended and played open stage at the Song Tree (stage) at least once, maybe more, before being booked as an artist.”
Performing at the festival as a trio with bassist Emma Rose and fiddler/guitarist Wila Frank, Lindsay Lou says playing for fans in her home state is “the most satisfying. I would say invaluably important to me as an artist.”
Blissfest (Photo/Vincent Brady)
For singer-songwriter Rachael Davis, who grew up in Cadillac, the Blissfest tradition began much earlier in life.
“Blissfest is particularly special because it’s the first place I ever performed on stage when I was 2 years old,” she said. “My mom and dad were an old-time musical duo. They were performing on the main stage and I was sitting near the back of the stage, coloring, near some microphones that weren’t being used for their set. They started a song that I knew, so I stood up and started singing in one of the extra microphones at the back of the stage. The sound tech saw what was happening and turned my microphone on from there.
“After that song, he came and moved the microphone next to my mom, and I sang the rest of the set with my mom and dad. From that day, I was invited to be in the band and could perform with my mom and dad whenever I wanted to… The rest is history. … Since then, I’ve performed there numerous times.”
Now based in Nashville, she’ll perform there numerous times this weekend alone — with her husband, Dominic John Davis, as well as with her brother, Zak Bunch of 1000 Watt Prophets and R.O. Shapiro, and with her mother and father in Lake Effect. There’s also a Patty Griffin tribute set, sitting in with Luke Winslow-King and other possible collaborations.
Aside from the festival’s star power and featured performances, there’s also something new for 2025: an “Instrument Garden Studio.”
Rachael Davis (Photo/Kate Honeyford)
“We’re collaborating with the non-profit Boredomfighters (based in Colorado) to bring their Instrument Garden Studio to Blissfest,” said Caroline Barlow, the festival’s artistic director.
“It’s a full-service immersive production studio with instruments, recording equipment, producers, and a host who records the sounds of the environment and builds songs with festival patrons. We’ve wanted to expand our youth programming to provide educational opportunities while at the festival, and this is the perfect fit.”
Of course, Blissfest always spotlights Michigan bands and solo artists, including ultra-energetic Grand Rapids soul singer Molly, folk-rock and northern Michigan-inspired Troll for Trout, rockabilly and raw rock duo Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, acclaimed West Michigan tunesmith Josh Rose, who’ll perform with his band The Founding Fathers, Traverse City’s May Erlewine and many more.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what collaborations happen with all of our Michigan musicians who are represented this year,” Barlow said. “When you have Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou, and May Erlewine all on a festival lineup, one would hope they remember what they sound like when they sing together, right? No pressure though.”
Barlow also hails “great string bands” on the bill such as Detroit’s Wilson Thicket, Chicago’s Henhouse Prowlers, Ireland’s JigJam and North Carolina’s Chatham Rabbits, not to mention Poltz, a Canadian artist she describes as one of her favorite life performers.
“Every show is unique and he truly understands how to take an audience on a journey with him,” she said. “What’s even more special is that you might not even realize he knows what he’s doing. But he does. He loves Blissfest and really goes all out for us.”
The festival runs Friday through Sunday (July 11-13) at 3695 Division Rd., Harbor Springs. Adult weekend tickets/wristbands are $250 and $110 for teens. Saturday-only tickets are $120 for adults and $60 for teens; Sunday tickets are $60 for adults, $30 for teens.
Get more information and ticket links online here.
Trevor Hall (Courtesy Photo)
BLISSFEST 2025 ESSENTIALS
WHEN: Friday-Sunday, July 11-13
WHERE: 3695 Division Rd., Harbor Springs, Mich., 49740
WEBSITE: https://www.blissfestfestival.org/
TICKETS/WRISTBANDS: $250 Adult Weekend, $110 Teens Weekend; $120 Saturday Adult, $60 Teen Saturday; $60 Sunday Day, $30 Teen Sunday Day; available online at showclix.com.
THE DRIVE: 210 miles (3 hours, 30 minutes) north of Grand Rapids
260 miles (4 hours, 12 minutes) north of Kalamazoo
296 miles (4 hours, 12 minutes) northwest of Detroit
236 miles (3 hours, 25 minutes) north of Lansing
91 miles (2 hours) northeast of Traverse City
VIDEO: Blissfest
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
