Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones, celebrating a new album, closes out the party that will also boast sets by The Hacky Turtles, Flexadecibel, Melophobix, Nathan Walton and more.
Playing the Backyard Bash: Desmond Jones (Photo/Anna Sink)
Perrin Brewing Co. in Comstock Park staged its first “Backyard Beer Bash” in 2013.
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Over the years since then, thousands of beer and music lovers have reveled in lively sets by the likes of Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Particle, The Legal Immigrants, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Crane Wives, Jake Kershaw, The Hacky Turtles and other regional favorites.
So after being forced to cancel the 2020 anniversary celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s now two years of pent-up demand for the outdoor party and Saturday’s lineup has all the elements of an upbeat reunion.
The outdoor bash kicks off at 3:15 p.m. Saturday with a set by The Polyphonic Element and closes things out at 9:30 p.m. with a jam-band salvo from Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones, which also happens to be celebrating release of its brand new studio album, “Why Not?” (Scroll down to listen to the album.)
The Schedule
In between, the stage will boast the soulful rock of Nathan Walton & The Remedy, the funky vibe of Melophobix and Flexadecibel, and the return of the aforementioned Hacky Turtles, who are headlining this year’s event. Details here.
“We’re so happy to have our beer community back together again to share the love of local music, great brews and good company,” said senior marketing manager Lindsey VanDenBoom, noting that the last Perrin-sponsored event was the Ice Jam in January 2020.
“Our goal for music was to create a full mix of genres and styles. With this being the first year back, we wanted to come back with high-energy local musicians to bring people to their feet to dance the day away.”
General admission tickets to the 21-and-older event are $10; beer tickets are $5. Get details online here.
Artist vendors and food trucks also will be on hand, along with outdoor games and evening bonfires. The outdoor event currently won’t require vaccinations, negative COVID tests or masking.
“It’s hard to say how many people will be attending this year, but with the wide open space in the backyard, we hope all folks attending can feel comfortable to enjoy everything the party has to offer,” said VanDenBoom.
LISTEN: Desmond Jones, “Why Not?”
OTHER CAN’T MISS WEEKEND SHOWS:
• Troll for Trout and The Majors in the Studio Park Piazza for Listening Room’s “Listening Lawn” (free), 7 p.m. Friday;
• Dawes at Calvin University’s Covenant Fine Arts Center ($40), 8 p.m. Saturday, tickets here;
• After Ours in the Founders Brewing Beer Garden (Free), 6 p.m. Sunday
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