The festival’s opening day at Circle Pines Center south of Grand Rapids was a classic Buttermilk feast of live music and frolicking kids. The recap with photos at Local Spins, from Joe Hertler to Cabildo.
An Electric Stage Presence: Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers closed out the Orchard Stage on Friday. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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Buttermilk Jamboree prides itself on being a family-friendly festival, but even goes one step further.
Walking around the festival grounds at Circle Pines Center in Delton gives the impression that you’ve just entered one massive family gathering. Kids who have just met one another are teaching each other new games or blowing bubbles together, adults are dancing hand-in-hand with strangers, and even the performers can be seen mingling with the crowds.
On Friday, the opening day of Buttermilk 2024, each corner of the festival invited a different vibe, further proving there’s a place for everyone.
Kids’ Paradise: The scene on Friday at Buttermilk. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
The Sugar Bush stage allowed festivalgoers to dance under a pavilion of sparkling fairy lights during high-energy sets from the likes of festival favorite Great Lakes Brass, while early evening crowds at the Orchard Stage relaxed among a rainbow of lawn chairs and blankets as award-winning West Michigan bluegrass band Full Cord performed.
And for those who preferred a quieter listening experience, the Apple Chapel stage hosted acoustic performances and open-mic opportunities throughout the weekend.
“I love the vibes here and I love that there are so many families,” performer Adam Gottlieb said. “It feels like coming home a little bit.”
Buttermilk attendees enjoyed sunny skies during the festival’s first day and pleasantly cool temperatures after sundown.
From beloved festival returnees to Buttermilk newcomers, Friday night was full of standout performances and perfect examples of the camaraderie the festival has built since its origins in 2011. Some highlights from Day 1:
• Adam Gottlieb – Chicago folk artist Adam Gottlieb played a solo set at the Apple Chapel Friday evening ahead of his full-band set with Adam Gottlieb & One Love later that night. Gottlieb used this stripped-back set as an opportunity to bring awareness to social and political issues including the Free Palestine Movement. Before each song, Gottlieb described the political, historical and cultural concepts behind them to his attentive audience. Gottlieb referred to the crowd at the intimate, tucked-away stage as “small, but mighty” as they participated in sing-along moments. “It’s not about the size of the crowd, it’s about the energy they bring,” he remarked.
• Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers – Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers brought pure joy to the Orchard Stage, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of dancers dressed in their most colorful outfits. Accented by a rainbow of spotlights and an array of decorative flowers, even the over-the-top stage production couldn’t outshine Hertler’s electric stage presence. A guest appearance from violinist and former bandmate Josh Holcomb for the powerful fan favorite, “Ego Loss on Grand River Avenue,” marked a high point in the set. The Rainbow Seekers selected a set list that spanned their entire discography in addition to their latest release “Turn This Train Around” and a crowd-pleasing cover of The Wallflowers’ “One Headlight.”
Y-Not: Regaling the crowd on the Garden Stage. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
• Y-Not – Before their set had even officially started, Y-Not got the crowd involved in an interactive freestyle jam session. J-Rose, Y-Not’s lead vocalist for the night, brought his signature skills of vocal and instrumental looping and creating unlikely mashups to the band’s late-night set. Paying homage to Detroit artists, Y-Not constructed a mashup consisting of The White Stripes, Stevie Wonder and Eminem. (If you’re having a hard time picturing it, you really just had to be there.) Even with a funky new twist on its typical set structure, the core of Y-Not’s artistry remained rooted in positive energy and an uplifting tone. The band also gave festivalgoers a sneak peek at some new tracks that have yet to be released.
Buttermilk Jamboree continues today (Saturday) and Sunday, with performances by Funktion, Roosevelt Diggs, Nathan Walton & The Remedy, Hannah Rose Graves, Black Jake & The Carnies, Chirp, Whorled, May Erlewine and more. Scroll down for schedules and check out Local Spins picks online here.
PHOTO GALLERY: Buttermilk Jamboree, Day 1 at Circle Pine Center
Photos by Derek Ketchum
BUTTERMILK JAMBOREE: SATURDAY & SUNDAY SCHEDULES
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