Festivalgoers basked in Saturday’s sunny weather as the second-year event delivered impassioned sets from seven acts, including Hannah Wicklund, who created a real buzz with her dynamic performance.
Soulful, Rocking Closing Salvo; The War and Treaty performing at Saturday’s Fair Ground Festival. (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
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The Fair Ground Festival somehow flies under the radar.
Whether that’s due to its off-the-beaten-path location in Hastings (Barry Expo Center) or simply because of people’s packed summer schedules, the cozy, second-year festival brings in a high-profile mix of both Michigan acts and artists from all over the country. Saturday’s jam-packed lineup — led by the award-winning The War and Treaty — was no exception.
With friendly volunteers around every corner, a welcoming and relaxed audience, and an overall message that promotes inclusivity, the Fair Ground Festival certainly deserves more recognition as go-to, summertime music destination.
Dedicated to creating a lineup that’s powered by women, a rarity in today’s male-dominated music industry, Fair Ground’s inclusive approach also ensures that each performance is accompanied by an ASL interpreter.
Throughout the day, the crowd welcomed soulful folk acts such as Louisiana’s Joy Clark and Michigan-centered The Rebel Eves with open arms.
Powerful Combo: The Accidentals backed rocker Hannah Wicklund during her set. (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
“We got a standing ovation, which was so sweet. We’ve felt very warmly welcomed by the people of Hastings today,” said Jilian Linklater of the Rebel Eves.
High-energy rock and R&B acts Alanna Royale and New York sibling trio BAILEN kept the crowd engaged and ready to power through the hot and sunny afternoon ahead of the much-anticipated evening sets.
Although Saturday’s turnout surprisingly may have dipped from 2023, attendees about the weather and the performances, particularly when it comes to rocker Hannah Wicklund, a native of South Carolina who turned heads and created a real buzz with her set that featured The Accidentals as her backing band.
“Where has she been?” one smitten attendee marveled.
To close out the night, the crowd welcomed home two beloved Michigan acts: indie-alt-folk’s The Accidentals (who got their start in Traverse City) and Grammy-nominated, soulful, Americana/rock’s The War and Treaty (originally based in Albion), a band led by Michael and Tanya Trotter which has enjoyed a banner year — from opening for The Rolling Stones in Los Angeles to making national TV appearances and performing overseas.
Sav Buist (aka Sav Madigan) of The Accidentals — which earned a standing-O after focusing much of its set on renditions of classic songs by powerful female artists in support of their new “Cover Art” album — praised the festival’s brave commitment to stacking its lineup with female artists.
HIGHLIGHTS (WITH A MICHIGAN CONNECTION)
A few highlights from Saturday’s musical celebration hosted by Thornapple Arts Council:
• Blues-rock singer-songwriter Hannah Wicklund — whose father is from Michigan — has been performing since she was eight years old and, considering her confidence on stage, that fact did not come as a surprise to the audience. Backed by Michigan-bred musicians The Accidentals for the majority of her set, Wicklund showed off her guitar skills using distorted effects during jam sessions as well as her powerhouse vocals that ranged from soft and pretty to intense and raspy. “I got a little teary during the first song because it’s the first time I’ve performed my music with fellow women,” said the Nashville-based singer. Wicklund also spoke about how her latest album, “The Prize,” has helped her embrace her femininity in a way that feels comfortable and authentic. The end result: Ferocious rock delivered by an all-female band.
‘Warmly Welcomed’: Grace Theisen of The Rebel Eves. (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
• The Rebel Eves (Kalamazoo’s Grace Theisen, Michigan native and Nashville-based Katie Pederson, and Seattle’s Jilian Linklater) boasted a chemistry on stage that proves there’s an invisible thread that bonds this trio together. The group’s songs tackle topics such as platonic love, accepting yourself and others for who they are, and a call to action for more female representation in the music industry. The Rebel Eves blend an Americana sound with elements of pop, rock and folk and a healthy dose of jaw-dropping harmonies. A few songs from this performance were also given extra energy boost thanks to Kalamazoo’s Carolyn Koebel being featured on the drums.
• To say The War and Treaty are a highlight wherever they perform might sell this ever-lively duo and talented band (led by guitarist/music director and Michigander Max Brown) short, because they immediately amped up the energy level and interaction with the audience as soon as they hit the stage. Launching the set with two brand new songs, Michael and Tanya Trotter’s potent vocals, rousing harmonies and ebullient attitude created musical sparks throughout their set. Referring often to their love of Michigan where they got their start, the set included upbeat romps such as “Are You Ready to Love Me?” and the dynamic country-gospel ballad, “Blank Page.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Fair Ground Festival 2024
Photos by Holly Holtzclaw, John Sinkevics
Hannah Wicklund, The Accidentals, The War and Treaty
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
