The soulful Americana stars didn’t let rain and a power outage prevent them from delighting fans Saturday with an acoustic performance following the city’s 20-band Walk the Beat fest. Recap, photos, video.
Into the Crowd: Tanya Trotter, Max Brown and Michael Trotter of The War and Treaty. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY
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Albion’s Walk the Beat festival took a walk on the wild side Saturday.
Soulful Americana stars The War and Treaty — who started their climb to international fame in Albion — literally took it to the streets for their post-festival, homecoming performance after a storm-caused power outage silenced their stage set.
‘Incredible’: The War and Treaty surrounded by fans. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Surrounded by gleeful fans after leaving the stage, Michael and Tanya Trotter, accompanied by guitarist Max Brown and other band members, electrified the delighted crowd with passionate, acoustic renditions of songs such as “Down to the River.”
Following that truly magical scene (captured via video below), the Trotters hugged fans and chatted with friends, helping turn a rain-shortened event into a powerful, once-in-a-lifetime experience for those in attendance at the free show.
“They’re incredible,” one fan later exclaimed on Facebook.
Before the rains came, Albion mayor Victoria Snyder had proclaimed Saturday as “War and Treaty Day” in Albion — a fitting designation for the award-winning, globe-trotting band.
The unusual performance put an exclamation point on Albion’s 10th Walk the Beat festival which featured performances by 20 diverse bands competing for fan votes on 10 different stages earlier in the day.
Walk the Beat Competition Winners: Lowell’s The Nuance (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
After fan voting, Lowell’s The Nuance, a high-energy rock band, was crowned the champion, winning 40 hours of studio recording time. The band, which also performed at Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat on Aug. 9, plays The Kirby House in Grand Haven on Aug. 30, The Score in Grand Rapids on Sept. 1, and Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo on Sept. 6.
The War and Treaty, meanwhile, continues to spread its upbeat, gospel-inspired message across the country, with upcoming shows in North Carolina, Ohio, California and Florida.
PHOTO GALLERY: The War and Treaty, The Nuance, Walk the Beat – Albion
Photos by Derek Ketchum
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