The fifth annual, two-day music festival held along the Detroit River kicks off Saturday with a mix of national and regional stars. Check out the full schedule.
More MoPop to Come: Last year’s Detroit festival attracted mammoth crowds. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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There was a time when a high-profile, riverfront music festival in downtown Detroit seemed unlikely.
Alt-J
But any apprehensions about such a feat have dissipated as MoPop Festival has made its home at West Riverfront Park along the banks of the Detroit River and matured into one of the city’s premier summer music events.
This year, MoPop will take place once again beneath a towering Detroit skyline on July 29 and 30. Now in its fifth year, the festival boasts another impressive lineup, including national acts like Foster the People, Alt-J, Run the Jewels and Vance Joy, as well as Michigan artists like Heaters, Stef Chura, Michigander and Humons. Sets will alternate on two stages, the Captain Pabst Stage and the Grande Stage.
“It’s seriously a dream,” said Jason Singer, frontman and songwriter for the burgeoning, anthemic Kalamazoo rock band, Michigander.
Long Time Coming: Michigander has dreamed of playing MoPop. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
“I’ve wanted to play it for a really long time. This is the first time it actually made sense. Excited would be an understatement.”
Last year, the festival drew more than 20,000 attendees over two days, featuring captivating sets by M83, The Head and the Heart, Shakey Graves, BORNS and Father John Misty.
And Michigan acts once again will get to showcase their talents: Michigander will perform at 2:15 p.m. Saturday on the Captain Pabst Stage, following a festival-opening set by Detroit “dream house” act Humons. Detroit’s Stef Chura and Grand Rapids’ Heaters play the Pabst Stage on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. respectively.
“This is definitely the biggest festival I’ve played. I actually listen to a lot of these bands and have been for years,” Singer said, who plans to catch sets by Jay Som, Middle Kids, Solange and Alt-J.
WEST MICHIGAN BANDS THRILLED TO TEST MATERIAL ON NEW AUDIENCE
“I think the songs I write are written with big crowds in mind. So I’m interested to see how they go over for this crowd. There will be a lot of friends, but probably a lot of new faces as well.”
Nolan Krebs of Heaters (Photo/Anna Sink)
For Grand Rapids lo-fi/psych-rock band Heaters, the high-profile festival gives them a chance to test their material for a new audience, especially because MoPop is not psychedelic-rock oriented.
“We don’t get over to Detroit very much, so this feels like a good way to make up for some lost time,” said bassist Nolan Krebs. “It’s always fun to play a nice stage. It allows you to kind of explore your own sound a bit.”
With the four-piece band having completed work on its third LP this spring, it also gives them a chance to roll out fresh songs for a big crowd with new guitarist Ben Taber (The Legal Immigrants, Shiv) on board following the departure of Andrew Tamlyn. The band also toured oversees in May and June before taking some time off.
“We’re excited,” Krebs said of firing the band back up in Detroit. “It was a really busy spring and we’re kinda chillin’ now until the record comes out.”
In addition to its musical lineup, MoPop also curate a handful of recreational areas, dubbed “villages,” where games, food trucks and other attractions will be corralled. Villages include Food Truck Rally Alley, Craft Bazaar, The Shipyard and Mo Arcade.
Solange
Other activities throughout the weekend include Citizen Yoga, Detroit Dart Club and Ink Addict, where attendees can draw sketches on a blank wall, get free temporary tattoos and watch live painting exhibitions.
As the festival approaches, crews will transform the long riverside corridor into a festival ground, attendees will make plans to see their favorite acts and artists will prepare engaging performances.
“We had a warm-up gig last week and it went well,” Singer noted. “It’s gonna be one cohesive set. I’m really excited for it. Also, they can expect lots of sweat.”
Weekend passes for MoPop are available for $125 while single-day tickets range from $75 to $90. Gates open at 1 p.m. both days. Tickets can be purchased online here: http://mopopfestival.com/tickets.html
CHECK OUT LOCAL SPINS’ COVERAGE OF MOPOP 2016 ONLINE HERE.
READ A LOCAL SPINS FEATURE ON DETROIT’S STEF CHURA ONLINE HERE.
THE 2017 MOPOP SCHEDULE
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VIDEO: Alt-J, “Deadcrush”
VIDEO: Solange, “Cranes in the Sky”
VIDEO: Foster the People, “Best Friend”
VIDEO: Michigander on Audiotree Live
VIDEO: Heaters on KEXP
Copyright 2017, Spins on Music LLC
