Veteran Festival bands and solo artists like The Mines and 13th Hour know the magic of growing an audience and strutting their stuff for giant throngs reveling in the weekend of free downtown entertainment.
Embracing Festival: Ethan Nickerson and The Mines are always eager to impress Festival audiences.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Come back to LocalSpins.com on Thursday for more of our annual “Best of Festival” picks of weekend performances.
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By Mary Mattingly
LocalSpins.com
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This weekend’s Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts is proving that even after 44 years, this is the event that local musicians want to play.
“On the whole, we all find it to be one of the best performance opportunities in town,” said Ethan Nickerson, bassist for “epic” Grand Rapids rock band The Mines.
“It’s downtown, takes place during a great time of the year, people can bring their families. [The festival] treats us very well. We love participating.”
Despite the recent financial issues Festival has faced as it struggles to continue its long tradition as a free, volunteer-driven event, it still strives to spotlight West Michigan talent — more than 100 bands and solo artists on six stages starting at noon Friday and running through Sunday. Local musicians appreciate the opportunity and Festival is viewed as the one time of the year when they are welcome to show Grand Rapids what they’ve got.
Festival Veterans: 13th Hour
“[Festival] is a pretty important opportunity for bands who take their art seriously,” Nickerson said. “A lot of people come, it’s free, and the sound is good.”
“Festival has been a pretty consistent part of Grand Rapids,” added Ken Bierschbach, rhythm guitarist and lead singer for rock/pop’s 13th Hour. “A lot of musicians look forward to it every year. It’s a great chance for people who don’t play out regularly, it’s a venue for those folks to show their talents.”
This year marks the ninth year that local rock band favorite The Mines will be returning to Festival. The band will be playing the closing set on the City Stage at 9 p.m. Friday. With an hour-long slot, The Mines plans to showcase their indie-flavored rock. The performance will mark the public debut of some new and original material, Nickerson said.
“In the past [Festival performances], we’ve featured a choir and other guest musicians,” Nickerson said. “[This year’s show] represents the best of what we do. It’s exactly us.”
Ken Bierschbach is also no stranger to Festival, having played the event in various bands and as a solo artist since 1982. 13th Hour will be mixing it up during a 45-minute set starting at 8:15 p.m. Saturday on the Fountain Stage, playing covers of pop and classic rock songs from the 70s. (He and fellow band member Mark Swanson also will perform solo sets on Saturday at the Outer Fringe Stage.)
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The Mines, 9 p.m. Friday, City Stage
Mark Swanson, 5 p.m. Saturday, Outer Fringe Stage
Ken Bierschbach, 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Outer Fringe Stage
13th Hour, 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Fountain Stage
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“They’re songs that you know, though not necessarily the songs everyone plays,” Bierschbach said. “They’re the classics people like to hear. All of us write, so there will be five or six new tunes as well.”
As a longtime attendee and performer at Festival, Bierschbach has noticed the opportunities it offers local musicians. “You get to play for a lot of people who otherwise wouldn’t hear you,” he said. “You also connect with other musicians and get to check out other bands.”
“As far as Grand Rapids music, the festival feels like a pretty sacred institution,” Nickerson added. “There’s a range of styles being played and the best local bands are featured. Everyone gets an opportunity to perform at their best.”
Besides performing, the bands will also be enjoying the festival and catching other bands.
Epic Rock: The Mines
“I’m looking forward to seeing A.G. Silver, I’ve been playing with them for years,” Nickerson said. “[It’s] always a good time. The Outer Vibe is always crazy and fun too.”
Aside from the music, both guys are looking forward to visiting Festival’s many food booths. “Can’t go wrong with meat on a stick,” Nickerson said.
“The food is the best part,” Bierschbach agreed. “I enjoy going up and down the street, finding something to nosh on. My guess, that’s Festival’s biggest draw.”
Festival is a celebration of local talent and community, and a great way to kick off the summer, he added. “There’s a bit for everyone,” Bierschbach said. “There’s classical music, poetry, storytelling. It’s a one-of-a-kind thing. You don’t see a lot of this in other communities.”
See the full schedule, a map and more at festivalgr.org here.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
