Amid August’s torrid weather, Desmond Jones, Chirp, Pajamas, Hannah Rose Graves, Covert Operations & more captivated a moderate-sized crowd for a weekend of wide-ranging music. The recap and photos.
Sun-Drenched Strains: Shagbark Farm owner Farmer John Crissman looks on as Nathan Walton & The Remedy heat up the main stage. (Photo/Anna Sink)
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Faced with roasting temperatures and a touch of rain, performers and attendees at last weekend’s Shagbark Music & Arts Festival south of Grand Rapids found ways to adjust to the conditions and still revel in the wonders of Michigan-made music.
Ann Arbor prog-rock/funk/jazz fusion outfit Chirp stripped down to shorts and boxers for their sun-drenched late afternoon romp on the main Shagbark Stage on Saturday, with undaunted fans bobbing and dancing away — not only for Chirp, but for bluegrass faves Full Cord, jam band Desmond Jones and John Nowak’s late-night vinyl dance party that followed.
Granted, the biggest festival crowds turned out for headlining evening sets by Ypsilanti’s Stormy Chromer (a Friday night affair that featured fire performers) and Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones (a trippy Saturday night party) when the sun’s intense rays had disappeared.
Staying Cool (Sort Of): Chirp on Sunday. (Photo/Anna Sink
The moderate-sized turnout for the three-day celebration on Alaska’s Shagbark Farm attracted first-time attendees as well as those who embraced previous editions of the festival then known as Cowpie Music Festival.
“We’ve been quite a few years, back when it was still Cowpie. All the music today has been so great and it seems like people are getting down with it even with the heat,” said Beth Zwiers of Caledonia, who attended the festival with her husband, Ken, though she added: “We had friends in the campsites who left early because it was just too hot.”
Hot sets by a variety of Michigan bands matched the torrid weather. Here are a few highlights from Saturday’s final session, courtesy of writer Holly Holtzclaw:
• Chirp – This genre-defying band from Ann Arbor opened up the Shagbark stage on Saturday and wasted no time immersing the audience with funky bass riffs and impressive jams. Blending elements of funk, progressive rock, jazz and even some classic rock influence, Chirp had the early afternoon crowd ready to dance, even in the blazing hot sun. The group showcased originals as well as covers that they put their own spin on, including Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle.” When offered the opportunity for an encore, Chirp took full advantage of that allowance and jammed out for more than 15 minutes.
Hannah Rose Graves (Photo/Anna Sink)
• Hannah Rose Graves Band – Packed with renowned Michigan musicians, the band led by Grand Rapids singer Hannah Rose Graves squeezed onto the tiny Haywagon Stage to deliver a well-rounded set of covers and originals that ranged from emotional moments surrounding heartfelt back stories to upbeat songs that had Graves jokingly requesting a mosh pit in front of the stage. “This one’s a barn burner so we’ll try our best not to light the stage on fire,” Graves proclaimed before the band’s cover of New Grass Revival’s “Can’t Stop Now.” Graves’ soulful vocals perfectly complemented the bluesy rock songs and twangy Americana tracks, many of which are featured on Graves’ latest album “Medicine.”
• Pajamas – The Ann Arbor jam band kept its audience locked in for the entirety of the set with rapidly changing tempos, catchy rhythms and songs that blended seamlessly into one another. Many festivalgoers who stuck to the shade along the tree line all day made their way to the pasture’s “dance floor” as the sun set behind the stage and provided some relief from the sweltering temperatures. The band kept the mood lighthearted with the occasional set of humorous lyrics amid the instrumental-heavy set. Pajamas’ encore choice may have raised some eyebrows at first, but as soon as they got going on a funky rock version of 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up,” the crowd realized they were experiencing something truly one-of-a-kind.
View Local Spins’ full coverage of Thursday’s opening day at Shagbark: Shagbark Music Festival simmers on Day 1 with ‘soul shakedown,’ Myron Elkins moxie
PHOTO GALLERY: Shagbark Music Festival – Days 2 and 3
Photos by Anna Sink
PHOTO GALLERY: Shagbark Music Festival – Day 2
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
PHOTO GALLERY: Shagbark Music Festival – Day 3
Photos by Holly Holtzclaw
