As usual, Festival showcased the marvelously eclectic range of Michigan’s musical talent, bringing out huge throngs amid stellar weather. Check out the photos and “A Day in the Life” video of performance highlights.
World of Music: Cabildo brought its Latin-infused strains to Calder Plaza during Festival.
Ah, Festival.
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Even the names of bands on a single day of the schedule speaks to the diversity of the music unfolding on six outdoor stages: The Good Libations, Murder Party, Northview Jazz Ensemble, Deborah Kay & The Bluebloods, Cabildo, Dixie Du Jour, Jukejoint Handmedowns, Steve Anzivino Acoustic Band, Deadwood Stone.
Suffice to say, Grand Rapids’ broad-ranging Festival of the Arts dominated the city’s musical landscape this weekend, showcasing Michigan talent in every direction and genre: folk, rock, blues, classical, country, heavy metal, pop, jazz, Celtic, Latin, bluegrass and even “Amish industrial hardcore folk” (aka Absinthe).
The weekend celebration brought out familiar faces such as Americana singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, an annual Festival fixture who this year played the big Calder Stage with an all-star band, and emerging indie-folk-driven acts such as Jake Down & The Midwest Mess, Spence & Friends, and Me & Ian, and others growing new audiences.
Official Sponsor of the Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Local Spins writer Mary Mattingly experienced that diversity first-hand on Saturday, providing this little report from the field describing a few performances:
Nobody’s Darlin’ – It was standing room only when it came to this show, and there were still audience members spilling out from under the tent of the Outer Fringe stage. This all-girl quintet was a huge crowd-pleaser, with audience members tapping their toes and singing along to all the songs the group played. Featuring impressive, finger-picking solos, notably by the banjo, mandolin and fiddle players, the quintet was greeted by whistles and hollers at the end of each song. The biggest hit with the crowd was the group’s take on June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” starting first with a slow build and then exploding into a jubilant frenzy. Though lead singer Sarah Q was on vocal rest due to a throat condition, the quintet was not deterred, with Barb Weatherhead [bassist of The Weatherheads] taking over lead vocals. Overall, a fun romp that was definitely one of the highlights of Festival.
Festival Throngs: Terrific weather brought out big crowds.
Street performers Charles and Mark – These guys weren’t even on the schedule; I just happened to stumble across them playing next to the Festival tent across from the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The duo drew quite a sizable crowd for the half-hour that they played. Featuring both soprano and tenor saxophone, and vocals and guitar, the duo played several well-known tunes that at first weren’t even recognizable due to their unique take. Remaking songs such as Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry” and The Doors’ “Light My Fire” into jazzy, reggae-influenced renditions, the duo had the crowd singing along with them. Melodic duties were split between the sax and voice, with the sax’s smoky solos being the highlight of the performance. Impressive for just a couple of guys playing on the street. Maybe we’ll see them officially on the schedule next year?
Mark Swanson – Mark Swanson relaxed the Outer Fringe crowd with his calming acoustic music. Covering everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Bob Dylan, for the entirety of his set the previously rowdy crowd was lulled into a calm, rapt state of listening. An acoustic storyteller, Swanson’s easygoing melodic singing was complemented by his scratch-style guitar playing. Even more impressive, Swanson built both of the guitars he played, including the nine-string guitar that he used for the latter half of his set. Swanson’s set was a welcome, relaxing breath of fresh air for weary Festival-goers looking for a break from the sun.
Hard Rock Honchos: Deadwood Stone fired up an enthusiastic crowd on the Clock Tower Stage.
Check out the lineup of Festival photos as part of the Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery here, as well as a “Day in the Life” video of some highlights from Friday’s Festival offerings on its outdoor stages featuring The Kanivers, Jill Jack, Me & Ian, The Good Libations, Serita Crowley, Jake Down & The Midwest Mess, Murder Party, Deborah Kay & The Bluebloods, Jukejoint Handmedowns, Jordan Koller Band, Steve Anzivino Acoustic Band (with Mary Rademacher), Chris Dupont, Cabildo, Deadwood Stone, The Mines, Mid-Life Crisis.
And think: That’s just the beginning of the summer’s musical assault.
Which reminds me: Kristine Carpenter, a frequent contributor to weekend photo galleries is this month’s winner of a $25 gift certificate to Founders Brewing just for snapping some photos at concerts and sending them along. Thanks to Founders and congrats to Kristine. So, if you’re embracing some live music next weekend, send photos by Sunday morning to jsinkevics@gmail.com for inclusion in the Weekend Photo Gallery and your name will be tossed into the hat for June to win a $25 gift certificate to The Intersection. Woot. Just make sure you list the band name, venue and photographer.
THE LOCAL SPINS WEEKEND PHOTO GALLERY (JUNE 9)
Video: A Day in the Life of Festival (June 6, 2013)
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
