Ludington’s 10th — and likely final — two-day music festival at Waterfront Park raised money for a good cause and rocked thousands along the lakeshore. Recap, photos, video.
Final Soiree: West Michigan’s Maddison Trip on stage Sunday at Waterfront Park. (Photo/Local Spins)
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The pronouncement at the end of hometown rock band Maddison Tripp’s set on Sunday afternoon at Ludington’s Waterfront Park said it best:
“Thank you, Ed Santarelli, and your Ludrock craziness.”
Killer Send-Off: Ed Santarelli at Ludrock on Sunday. (Photo/Local Spins)
The Ludrock music festival’s 10th — and reportedly final — romp last weekend rolled out more than 40 mostly West Michigan-based bands over two days amid glorious weather, attracting about 4,000 people while raising money for the Ludrock Endowment, which supports local music and arts programs and more.
Many of the musicians and longtime festivalgoers reuniting amid hugs and high-fives showed plenty of love for Santarelli, lead organizer of the “Ludrock craziness.”
“Killing it,” Santarelli exclaimed on Sunday, grinning widely in the sun-splashed park while RPM uncorked familiar rock tunes on stage. “What a send-off.”
Indeed, that send-off at the volunteer-driven festival on Sunday ranged from the doom/sludge metal of Bog Wizard to the harmony-laden classic rock of The Briar Payne Band. And that followed 10 hours of music on Saturday, from Brynn Fortner to Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps to Barrel Bones.
Santarelli told Local Spins that the aging board of volunteers decided to stage “a final celebration” in 2023, though there’s hope others might take the reins.
“Ludrock’s future is still unwritten,” notes a statement on the back of the festival program, adding that the event has “done some pretty amazing things” with community support. “It’s been a great fun ride.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Ludrock in Ludington (Sunday)
Photos by John Sinkevics
Copyright 2023, Spins on Music LLC
