Top 10 Summer Music Festivals in Michigan: The Local Spins List

Local Spins’ top story of 2016 was a round-up of increasingly popular summer music festivals across the Great Lakes State – some well-known, some off the beaten path, all worth exploring.

Editor’s Note: THIS STORY REFLECTS 2016 FESTIVAL DATES. TRACK 2017 MICHIGAN MUSIC FESTIVALS WITH THE LOCAL SPINS 2017 CALENDARS AVAILABLE ONLINE HERE.

 

There’s something about experiencing Michigan’s great outdoors surrounded by thousands of music lovers while soaking up inspiring, mesmerizing live music.

It’s communal. It’s empowering. It’s celebratory. It’s the ultimate bonding experience with strangers.

Psychologists have written extensively about the power of music in cultivating our well-being and community engagement, and music festivals are the most dynamic example of that.

Between now and the end of September, Michigan will roll out nearly 50 music festivals – big and small, electronic to folk – from the southern border of the state to the farthest reaches of the Upper Peninsula, giving music lovers ample opportunity for community engagement unlike any other state in the union. In Michigan, we make plenty of musical hay while the sun shines.

Every one of these events has its own unique vibe, its own audience-pleasing charm and many spotlight some of the region’s top artists (along with an array of national headliners).

Local Spins has picked 10 Michigan festivals in the order in which they occur this summer (with a few under-the-radar gems) to get you started. Click on the festival website links to get tickets and more information.

We know you may disagree with our rosters and have your own picks to add to the list, so give ‘em a shoutout in the comments below.

Regardless of your festival of choice, rev up the RV, load your tents and coolers, and hit the road, Jack. Once you’ve experienced the glory of a summertime music festival, you may never come home.

1. Buttermilk Jamboree, June 10-12 (2016), Circle Pines Center, Delton
LINEUP: The Blasters, The Go Rounds, Lady Ace Boogie, Vox Vidorra, The Crane Wives, The Accidentals, Rick Chyme, The Concussions, May Erlewine, Rachael Davis, Ralston Bowles, Drew Nelson, dozens more.
THE VIBE: This well-run, family-oriented festival in a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path setting midway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo showcases top-notch regional acts playing two main stages and two side stages. About 2,000 people attend the festival, which also boasts family-friendly activities, camping, workshops, a craft beer tent, and food and crafts vendors. (The weekend for this festival will change in 2017.)
THE WEBSITE: buttermilkjamboree.org

2. Founders Fest, June 18 (2016), Grandville Avenue SW in Grand Rapids
LINEUP: The Motet, Lee Fields & The Expressions, July Talk, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Main Squeeze, Dos Santos Anti-Beat Orquesta, The Go Rounds, The FBC All-Stars.
THE VIBE: Ok, this is more of a street party than a full-bore festival. The streets outside Founders Brewing Co. in downtown Grand Rapids fill up with more than 6,000 revelers each year who quaff Founders beer and cheer national and local bands playing two stages. Oh, and roving street performers from Super Happy Funtime Burlesque will be on hand this year, too.
THE WEBSITE: foundersbrewing.com

3. Electric Forest, June 23-26 (2016), Double JJ Resort, Rothbury
THE LINEUP: String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Major Lazer, Adventure Club, Baauer, Beats Antique, STS9, Bonobo, Disco Biscuits, Duke Dumont, Fetty Wap, Flosstradamus, Greensky Bluegrass, Griz
THE VIBE: From its early beginnings as Rothbury to its perennially sold-out spectacle as Electric Forest, this festival has appealed to colorfully bedecked hippies from across the globe who cherish the groovy atmosphere and who twirl incessantly to a non-stop assault of jam bands, EDM stars and assorted eclectic acts on several stages. The centerpiece may be Sherwood Forest, an art-and-lighting installation that changes every year but envelops visitors with eye-popping visuals, hammocks, bars and small stages with scintillating performers. Suffice to say, this is really an adult festival, but a terrific place to people-watch. Unfortunately, tickets sold out this year before they even announced the lineup. (This festival will expand to two weekends in 2017.)
THE WEBSITE: electricforestfestival.com

4. Blissfest, July 8-10 (2016), Harbor Springs (Festival Farm, 3695 Division Road, near Cross Village)
THE LINEUP: Electric Hot Tuna, Peter Yarrow, Keller Williams, The Accidentals, Breathe Owl Breathe, Brown Rice Family, Go Rounds, Harper, Hillbenders, Seth & May, That One Guy, HuDost, Heather Maloney
THE VIBE: Festival regulars simply call it “Bliss,” which may be the perfect description of the music, atmosphere and overall mood of this event which showcases the traditions and innovators of American roots music, folk, world music and arts. This is the 36th year for Blissfest, which hosts workshops and not only brings in internationally acclaimed, veteran artists such as Hot Tuna and Peter Yarrow but also spotlights a host of regional bands, from Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers to Oh Brother Big Sister.
THE WEBSITE: blissfest.org

5. Faster Horses, July 15-17 (2016), Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn
THE LINEUP: Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Travis Tritt, Wynonna & The Big Noise, David Nail, Alan Jackson, Big & Rich, Gary Allan, Granger Smith, Jana Kramer, Sam Hunt, Joe Nichols, Locash, Lindsay Ell, A Thousand Horses
THE VIBE: This is a country music-and-camping affair in Jackson County with some of the biggest names in country gracing the main stage. But there’s also a “Next from Nashville” stage of up-and-coming country stars, too, including Kelleigh Bannen, Brett Young, Haley Georgia, Brooke Eden, Aubrie Sellers, Aaron Lewis, Tara Thompson, Whisky Myers and more. There’s also a campfire kickoff party, faster humans race, a Ferris wheel, water slide, market, Budweiser Clydesdales and, yes, foam parties.
THE WEBSITE: fasterhorsesfestival.com

6. Mo Pop Festival, July 23-24 (2016), West Riverfront Park, Detroit
THE LINEUP: G-Eazy, Haim, M83, Borns, Father John Misty (solo), The Head and The Heart, Matt and Kim, Glass Animals, Shakey Graves, Mac DeMarco, Twin Peaks, FIDLAR, Nothing But Thieves, Raury
THE VIBE: This relatively young Detroit indie festival really upped the ante with this year’s lineup, which also happens to feature a Grand Haven boy – Garrett Borns, now based in Los Angeles and now known simply as Borns, who’s blown up as a bona fide pop star. And as of right now, it’s his only scheduled Michigan appearance of 2016. The weekend event also boasts food trucks, artisanal microbrews, an art bazaar and tech start-ups showing off apps, gear and more.
THE WEBSITE: mopopfestival.com

7. Cowpie Music Festival, Aug. 12-13 (2016), Shagbark Farm, Alaska
THE LINEUP: Strange Arrangement, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Lazy Lester, Mark Lavengood, Corn Fed Girls, Jimmie Stagger, Mungion, Red Sea Pedestrians, Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Fauxgrass, Balsam Brothers, Covert, Tony LaJoye, Kathleen & The Bridge Street Band, The Turnips, Grand River Big Band
THE VIBE: This long-running festival in southern Kent County takes place on a working cattle farm run by a guy, Farmer John, who’s an absolutely rabid music fan. It’s a laid-back, rootsy, upbeat camping festival that showcases a truly diverse bunch of regional faves, not to mention nationally acclaimed acts Lazy Lester and Strange Arrangement. Put on your boots and a smile and spend the weekend out on the farm. (This festival will expand in 2017.)
THE WEBSITE: cowpiemusicfestival.com

8. Hoxeyville, Aug. 19-21 (2016), Wellston
THE LINEUP: Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Elephant Revival, Joshua Davis Quartet, Mandolin Orange, Luke Winslow King, Billy Strings, Airborne or Aquatic, Sweetwater Warblers, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, The Crane Wives, Linday Lou & The Flatbellys, The Go Rounds, The Accidentals, Eggs Bernard and The Electrons, Macpodz
THE VIBE: Located amid the picturesque woods and fields of the Manistee National Forest, the centerpiece of this northern Michigan gem of a festival is Kalamazoo progressive bluegrass powerhouse Greensky Bluegrass, which plays two mind-bending nights of shows. But the talent runs deep here, with appearances by Railroad Earth, Elephant Revival and some of Michigan’s best, most committed bands and solo artists: Joshua Davis, Billy Strings, The Go Rounds, The Crane Wives, The Accidentals, Seth Bernard, Airborne or Aquatic, Sweetwater Warblers and so much more. It’s one of those festivals that once you get there, you never want to leave.
WEBSITE: hoxeyville.com

9. Wheatland Music Festival, Sept. 9-11 (2016), Remus
THE LINEUP: Asleep at the Wheel, Charlie Musselwhite, The Gibson Brothers, Solas, Bruce Daigrepont, Mike + Ruthy Band, Adonis Puentes, The Cactus Blossoms, Black Twig Pickers, The Go Rounds, Delilah DeWylde & The Lost boys, Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza
THE VIBE: Hosted by the Wheatland Music Organization, this is the undisputed granddaddy of Michigan folk festivals, with the inaugural event taking place 43 years ago on this rural tract of land amid scenic pastures and woods. Tradition, family and all styles of roots, folk and world music are a big part of Wheatland, which always showcases some international treasures on its main stages. This year, those include the legendary Asleep at the Wheel and Charlie Musselwhite, along with some deserving Michigan acts such as Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, The Go Rounds and Mark Lavengood.
WEBSITE: wheatlandmusic.org

10. Earthwork Harvest Gathering, Sept. 16-18 (2016), outside Lake City
THE LINEUP: To be announced, but will include numerous artists within the Earthwork Music family, including Seth Bernard, May Erlewine and many more.
THE VIBE: If you were aiming to fashion the perfect, summer-ending music festival to celebrate not only Michigan’s vibrant music scene but the camaraderie and collaboration that it represents, this would be it. Set on Bob Bernard’s family farm outside Lake City, the entire weekend oozes a family reunion atmosphere with interesting partnerships and riveting performances – some on outdoor stages, some inside one of the grooviest barns in which you’ll ever want to see a concert. One performer described Harvest Gathering as “hippie Christmas,” and it really is a musical holiday unlike any other.
WEBSITE: earthworkharvestgathering.com

Check out Local Spins photos and coverage of 2015 Michigan festivals online here.

UNDER-THE-RADAR PICKS (2016)

• Festival of the Arts/Local First Street Party, June 3-5, downtown Grand Rapids with more than 250 acts, including Joshua Davis, The Crane Wives, Tunde Olaniran, Lady Ace Boogie, Chris Bathgate.
This is an urban, non-camping affair but the combination of the largest volunteer-run festival in the country with the one-day Local First Street Party is a monumental celebration of truly local music.

• B93 Birthday Bash, June 18-19, U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, Mich., with Chris Young, Cole Swindell, Frankie Ballard, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Janson, Brothers Osborne, Granger Smith, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys

• Kalamazoo Blues Festival, July 7-9, Arcadia Festival Site in Kalamazoo with Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Cash Box Kings, Karen Lovely, Monkey Junk and more

• Beaver Island Music Festival, July 14-16, Beaver Island with Moonshiner Tyler Wood, Seth Bernard, The Outer Vibe, Brotha James, G-Snacks, Jack & The Bear, Megan Dooley, Olivia Mainville

• Farm Block, July 29-31, N. Allouez in the Keweenaw Peninula in the Upper Peninsula, with Kansas Bible Company, M. Sord, Divino Nino, The Go Rounds, The Macpodz, The B.E.A.T., Vox Vidorra

• GRandJazzFest, Aug. 20-21, Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, with Cindy Bradley, Chris Standring, Walter White, Urban Jazz Coalition, Tim Bowman, Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra

• Holler Fest, Aug. 26-28, Irish Hills near Brooklyn, Mich., with 60 bands playing two stages
Hidden away on an organic vegetable farm, this magical weekend of music, food and community has grown over nine years and boasts home-cooked vegetarian meals, scenic walking trails, evening bonfires, creative workshops and a plethora of activities for kids.

• Detroit Jazz Festival, Sept. 2-5, Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, with George Benson, John Scofield, Roy Hargrove, Freddy Cole, The RH Factor and more

• Michigan Irish Music Festival, Sept. 15-18, Heritage Landing in Muskegon, with Scythian, JigJam, Altan, Andy Irvine, Tupelo, Aoife Scott and more

Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC