This weekend’s Festival of the Arts will pack downtown Grand Rapids for regional music on a half-dozen stages. And once again, Local Spins asked musicians and writers to spotlight some must-see acts.
For nearly a half-century, Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts has celebrated music and arts downtown in early June with hundreds of performances on several stages over three days.
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That doesn’t mean there haven’t been changes: The festival layout was changed considerably last year, and for 2018, there’s even a “Comic Book Arts in the Circle” at Rosa Parks Circle.
But the big attraction – in addition to those tantalizing food booths – continues to be the 200 or so acts from West Michigan who’ll play stages scattered throughout the city’s center.
And to help sort through that hefty roster of performers, Local Spins once again has asked area musicians and some of its writers to make their ‘Best of Fest’ picks.
Consider this just a good place to start as you plan your weekend of Festival fun. (See the full performance schedule and details at festivalgr.org.)
THE ‘BEST OF FEST’ PICKS FOR 2018
MUSICIAN AND CELEBRITY PICKS
TOMMY ERICKSONSinger-guitarist, Slumlord Radio
Slumlord Radio is playing the diSuvero Stage at 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The Holy Warheads: 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Kendall Stage – This amazing quartet has been kicking out the jams in West Michigan (and beyond) since 2015. They deliver a thrilling live show showcasing their extremely well crafted rock songs. The band is fronted by the matinee idol heartthrob, and bar none one of the most talented vocalists in town, Joseph Henry. Providing a solid slab of gnarly bass-playing is a gentleman that needs no introduction: the one and only, Kevin Keefer. The monstrous and crushingly tasteful drumming is handled by ultra-talented Brent Riva. Last but not least, like Cecil Fielder smacking homers out of Tigers Stadium back in the day, bringing the big bat to crack out the riffs to thundering applause, is Mr. Ivan Hannah. Be sure to check them out.
PotatoeBabies: 6 p.m. Sunday, Kendall Stage – Reverend Charles Preston Smith, Grand Rapids’ own legend and force of nature, is leading his all-star cast (including the awesome Ron Boot, Chewie, other super talented folks) in what is sure to be a thrilling spectacular – a show that is incredible to witness, with prizes, TP, cake, beach balls and other wild surprises. Always quite the sight to behold: a real “pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge” type of event, and you get to see it for free.
THE AUTUMNATIC(Grand Rapids rock band The Autumnatic plays the Kendall Stage at noon Saturday)
Bowery: 5 p.m. Friday, Ottawa Stage – Catchy melodies and vocals. A Grand Rapids indie-pop/rock band you must see.
Triumph Music Academy: 7 p.m. Friday, Calder Stage – Triumph Music Academy shows us a strong vision of the future of music in Grand Rapids. For all ages.
STEVE J. JAZWIEC
Mayor of Rockford
Rochelle & The Spoilers: 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Calder Stage – Rochelle & The Spoilers are a great local blues band you don’t want to miss. Her powerful vocals are backed up by some very talented blues musicians. Rochelle can belt it out with the best area female vocalists.
Trixy Tang: 9 p.m. Saturday, Kendall Stage – Trixy Tang might be one of the best ’70s, ’80s, ’90s cover bands in West Michigan that you may have never heard of. I’ve seen them rocking the Lions Club Start of Summer Beer Tent in Rockford the last couple of years. A crowd-pleasing band that makes you want to get up and dance.
ALEX AUSTIN
Frontman for Grand Rapids country-hued rock band Deerfield Run
Deerfield Run plays the Ottawa Stage at 5 p.m. Sunday
Hazard: 7 p.m. Friday, Ottawa Stage – I’m admittedly not a huge hard rock/metal fan, but these guys impress me big time. They’re a bunch of young “kids,” but they play with a fire and a skill that much older bands don’t always reach.
Valentiger: 12:45 p.m. Sunday, diSuvero Stage – I remember first getting into this band years ago when they were still called Happy Hour (Magnet Heart Conveyor, anyone?). As far as I’m concerned, they’re a Grand Rapids mainstay, with a great and unique sound.
NED ROUSE
Multi-instrumentalist, recording artist
Ned Rouse plays the Calder Stage at 4:15 p.m. Friday
Julia Yob: 6 p.m. Friday, diSuvero Stage – Julia is a musical-writing singer-songwriter. She is an eccentric, an original delight in our local musical theater scene. Julia’s music “imagines big” in her concepts and musical execution. She has given her audience both delightful chuckles and serious thought.
Mark Swanson: 3:30 p.m. Friday, Kendall Stage – This is the guy! Mark is a veteran guitarist, artist and performer. He can play and write with the best of them. I have often witnessed his wonderful and diverse interpretations of the music of others, too. He is as well-known for the care he puts in as a luthier of fine guitars and plays his own creations live. It’s all in the wood. Put them all together and you have Mark Swanson.
JOEY FRENDO
Lead singer for Grand Rapids alt-country/Americana band Winnow
The Hacky Turtles: 2 p.m. Saturday, Ottawa Stage – As infectious as they are hooky, it’s been a joy to watch The Hacky Turtles assimilate themselves into our music scene over the past year. Their Kings of Leon brand of funk-folk has found a home here so quickly and with such ease that I have a strong feeling that their growth won’t remain tethered to Lake Michigan.
Deerfield Run: 5 p.m. Sunday, Ottawa Stage: Funk-infused alternative country has recently come back into vogue amongst roots audiences on a national scale, yet this project seems to still be flying under the radar. Populated by some of the most seasoned and most talented players in West Michigan, look for Deerfield Run to continue their rise as listeners’ palates get acquainted with the rich musical history behind their sound and this movement.
MAX LOCKWOODBassist/guitarist with Big Dudee Roo, The Insiders and more
The Insiders Tom Petty tribute plays Elevation inside The Intersection at 9 p.m. Saturday
Grand Rapids Youth Symphony: 2:15 p.m. Friday, Calder Stage – I spent my senior year of high school in the youth symphony and it was one of my favorite musical experiences. John Varineau is a fantastic conductor and inspires young people to always dig deeper into the music.
Hazard: 7 p.m. Friday, Ottawa Stage – These guys are a tight, hardworking 4-piece rock and roll band with a lot of zeal and commitment at a young age. Expect to see more of them as the future unfolds.
WRITERS’ PICKS
RICKY OLMOSThe Hacky Turtles: 2 p.m. Saturday, Ottawa Stage – Concocting an eclectic blend of rock, funk, folk and hip hop, The Hacky Turtles deliver a lively, charismatic performance fit for busting moves.
The Autumnatic: Noon Saturday, Kendall Stage – Anthemic, in-your-face rock ‘n’ roll is The Autumnatic’s specialty. Heavy drums, driving bass and blazing guitar solos are on the menu.
KATLIN MERBY
Candy Laprie: 1 p.m. Saturday, Ottawa Stage – On her eight-track EP, “The Lapriequel,” which can be found on Spotify, the solo R&B artist delivers tracks that would be adored by fans of Jasmine Sullivan and Sevyn Streeter. She delivers slow jams about modern romantic companionship with an insanely smooth voice and easily relatable lyrics. (Laprie says she’s a big fan of the late Aaliyah’s “soft and melodic” voice, as well as the heartfelt and uplifting music of India Arie.)
Silverstiles: 1 p.m. Sunday, Ottawa Stage – Upbeat but relaxed, this band has music that is perfect for a Sunday afternoon. There is something rebellious about their West Coast country flair combined with memorable lyrics that are sure to make their performance extremely intriguing. Possibly inspired by the work of Margo Price?
VERONICA ANDERSONBowery: 5 p.m. Friday, Ottawa Stage – A five-piece indie-rock band from Grand Rapids, Bowery is led by a smooth-talking female vocalist backed by an abundance of sonic textures. From sultry pop anthems to high energy guitar rock, this is a performance I wouldn’t want to miss.
The Autumnatic: Noon Saturday, Kendall Stage – The Grand Rapids-based quartet, The Autumnatic, mixes traditional pop-rock qualities with an R&B influence to create its own unique sound. Known for compelling songwriting and electric live shows, the band is sure to leave you with a good taste on the tongue and a longing for more.
MATT MARNBoy From School: 5:15 p.m. Friday, diSuvero Stage – Whether you are enjoying their various EPs in your stereo, or reading about their band online, it is easy to see that members of this Grand Rapids indie-rock group have a lot of fun doing what they do. Their upbeat, unique blend of genres and instrumental tones reflects the fun they have recording and performing. “Take everything you’ve ever wanted to do in your life and add in a majestic hot air balloon race. That’s pretty much what we are all about,” the group writes. Anyone who has that much fun in what they do is absolutely worth enjoying live.
Jukejoint Handmedowns: 10:15 a.m. Saturday, diSuvero Stage – A fun Americana-bluegrass group, they have a wide variety of tone, ranging from slower, sad ballads to upbeat, foot-stompin’ crowd pleasers. Sometimes the songs even include a nod to native Michigan traditions and landmarks, but either way, rarely does a band of country troublemakers make a song about bad decisions sound so good.
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