The 20th anniversary edition of this northern Michigan festival rolls out of the gates for three days starting Friday — and Local Spins has the preview, picks, schedule and details.
The Gasoline Gypsies: The rock-driven Michigan band plays the Main Stage at 11:30 p.m. Saturday. (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
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With veteran folk/country tunesmith Jeffrey Foucault, indie-alt-folk sensation The Accidentals, Detroit Americana rockers The Gasoline Gypsies and acclaimed singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey leading the charge, there’s no shortage of stars pumping up this year’s Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival.
But what really distinguishes this weekend’s 20th anniversary musical celebration at Mio’s Oscoda County Fairgrounds might be the devotion of regular festivalgoers who rave about the atmosphere, the family-oriented approach and the associated accouterments.
Patty PerShayla: A can’t-miss pick for Saturday. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
“It is an intimate experience, with all of the elements of the big festivals: great music, workshops for everyone, a variety of art and craft items, great festival food, and happy, friendly, people,” veteran festivalgoer Christine Matthews told Local Spins in 2022.
“Family-friendly, where you can feel safe with your kids running around. I love that they give away so many guitars to kids for free.”
Returning attendee Lisa Speck, meanwhile, is looking forward to this year’s 20th anniversary edition: “Woo hoo! It’s gonna be an especially good one.”
Notable headliners aside, the festival — which attracts about 1,000 people each year — goes about “creating memorable moments,” as it puts it, by showcasing regional and national acts that many attendees will embrace and long talk about.
Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos has selected five of those can’t-miss performers at Nor-East’r 2024 that festivalgoers should check out. View those below, along with if-you-go info about this northern Michigan tradition.
(There’s also a Nor-East’r Kickoff Concert at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Skyline Event Center in Comins, Mich., featuring The Rough and Tumble and The Lucky Nows. Get tickets and info here.)
FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS
WHEN: June 7-9
WHERE: Oscoda County Fairgrounds, 1889 Caldwell Road, Mio
WEBSITE: https://www.noreastrfest.org/
THE DRIVE: 187 miles (3 hours) northeast of Grand Rapids
236 miles (3 hours, 35 minutes) northeast of Kalamazoo
195 miles (3 hours) northwest of Detroit
178 miles (2 hours, 40 minutes) north of Lansing
84 miles (1 hour, 40 minutes) east of Traverse City
TICKETS: $65 weekend adults ($95 with camping), $5 children 13-17; $35 adult day pass. Get tickets online here.
TOP FIVE CAN’T-MISS PERFORMERS
• Charlie Millard Band, Saturday, 8 p.m. on Main Stage – A wiz on the keys, Charlie Millard and his band stir up the stage with endless grooves and good vibes.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT1XfWzRirc
• The Rough & Tumble, Saturday, 3 p.m. on the Schoolhouse Stage – A dynamic duo of troubadour soulmates, The Rough & Tumble have crisscrossed the land to bring their eclectic and intriguing live show to the far corners of the country.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdaHHTXWq4
Kyle Rasche: Plays Friday night. (Photo/Bryan Bolea)
• Billy King & Emily Slomovits, Saturday, 9 p.m. on the Schoolhouse Stage – As a duo, Billy King and Emily Slomovits complement each other’s sonic sensibilities, with King on guitar and Slomovits on fiddle. The pair perform tender, story-driven songs with nuance and care.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2c3EeV0Lsc
• Patty PerShayla, Saturday, 5 p.m. on the Schoolhouse Stage – Known for her exhilarating live sets and propensity for the road, Patty PerShayla continues her rising trajectory by captivating audiences with unfiltered and unrelenting energy.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96JWqMjheXs
• Kyle Rasche, Saturday, 7 p.m. on the Parlour Stage – Known for his gorgeous acoustic arrangements as Chain of Lakes, Kyle Rasche is a master at spinning wistful tales that transcend the stage.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N2uCnnYiSc
THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
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