Sunday’s 22nd anniversary Feedback benefit heated up Founders Brewing with sets by The Accidentals, The Soul Syndicate and The Honeytones, and raised thousands for Access of West Michigan.
Record Attendance: Founders Brewing filled up for Feedback 2016. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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Take it from Autumn Hubbard, community relations and development director for Access of West Michigan, Sunday’s Feedback 2016 benefit at Founders Brewing Co.. was “an amazing event” boasting an upbeat atmosphere amid sets by Traverse City’s The Accidentals and Grand Rapids’ The Soul Syndicate.
Indie-Folk Heroes: The Accidentals closed out the night in rollicking fashion. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
“It was such a blast,” Hubbard said after the event which also featured an opening romp by The Honeytones, who’ve been organizing the Feedback benefits for 22 years.
“Everybody there had such great energy and was genuinely excited to be there, hear great music, and support a good cause. I think that it was a ‘community event’ in every sense of the word. The atmosphere was fun, people were enthusiastic to learn something new, and they were mixing and mingling.”
It was a blast of a show — co-hosted by Local Spins — that drew the biggest crowd ever for a Feedback event and raised a record-breaking $3,300-plus for Access, which coordinates food pantries for needy families and operates anti-poverty programs in Kent County.
Soul Man: Diego Morales joined The Honeytones for their opening set, then fired up dancers with The Soul Syndicate. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Indeed, bands and fans alike got into the spirit during the late afternoon and early evening affair, with Hank Mowery and members of The Accidentals and The Soul Syndicate joining The Honeytones during the opening set for covers of everything from Jack White to The Beatles.
And The Soul Syndicate (making its Founders debut) and The Accidentals (in the midst of a long road trip that took them from North Carolina to Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids) impressed and revved up the crowd so much that both bands were compelled to play rousing encores to the delight of the throng in front of the stage.
“The bands were amazing, and they were also so genuine about being willing to help Access,” Hubbard said. “They weren’t just excited for another chance to show off their music, but every band member I talked to was genuinely excited to be a part of the event and support Access.”
Get more information about Access and donate to the cause online here, then check out the photo gallery from Sunday’s Feedback event.
PHOTO GALLERY: FEEDBACK 2016
Photos by Anthony Norkus and Derek Ketchum
VIDEO: Feedback 2016 (April 10, 2016)
Video by David Specht
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
