The all-day free event outside Cedar Springs this weekend boasts an eclectic lineup of young and experienced Michigan acts. See the schedule and get details at Local Spins.
Youth Movement: Jake Kershaw will be among several young acts playing Bona-Who? on Saturday. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Joel Gordon likes to mix things up.
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He also loves the one-day music festival he’s assembled since 2010 on his property outside Cedar Springs because it’s become a starting point for many young bands just getting their feet wet in West Michigan’s music scene.
The 2018 Lineup
The Bona-Who? festival is back for 2018 rolling out all day Saturday with an impressive and eclectic mix of “both youth and adult bands” offering plenty of opportunities to mingle with – and learn from – each other.
Well-known acts such as Jake Kershaw, Don Julin Big Fun Jam Band, Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues and hi-ker will join several fledgling bands as part of the event that kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
“The festival encourages young musicians to hone their musical and artistic skills while sharing them with others,” Gordon said.
“Many of the bands are composed of members that previously performed as teenagers and are now in their 20s. As always, the event mixes multiple age groups and multiple genres and encourages musician interaction.”
Indeed, Saturday’s affair – a free event that even features a pig roast – boasts several accomplished, savvy Michigan acts who are accustomed to playing in front of big audiences, from veteran players such as Traverse City mandolinist Don Julin with Grand Rapids drummer Randy Marsh and Grand Rapids bluesman Asamu Johnson to 17-year-old blue-rock guitar wunderkind Jake Kershaw from Marshall, who’s been dropping jaws and lighting up stages from Michigan to Texas over the past year.
Members of young Grand Rapids electronic indie-pop act hi-ker – which has cultivated a growing audience and played major events such as Kalamazoo’s Audiotree Festival – got their start at Bona-Who? several years ago. And they’re not the only ones who’ve played the festival before.
hi-ker (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
“Several musicians that performed at the first Bona-Who? will be back in their various current projects including members of Fade (Marley Ferguson), Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues (Scott Millard), hi-ker (Kohl Sprader, Chris Ryan and Spencer Gordon) and Don Julin Big Fun Jam Band (Randy Scott Marsh),” Gordon said.
This year’s festival will feature three high school bands playing the event for the first time, as well as a young couple who met at Bona-Who? in 2012 and will be getting married this summer.
For the first time ever, Bona-Who? also will host an early evening jam session involving musicians from several bands.
There are about 100 off-street parking spaces available with some overflow parking, too, but attendees are encouraged to car pool. Those attending also are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and all are responsible for bringing their own beverages. Alcohol consumption by those under 21 is strictly prohibited and “will not be tolerated.”
Get more details online here.
The Property: The scene from Bona-Who 2015 outside Cedar Springs.
Copyright 2018, Spins on Music LLC
