The Labor Day weekend festival at Liberty Mountain also boasts more than 50 Michigan acts, from Biomassive to Desmond Jones. The preview and a Big Fam Festival playlist at Local Spins.
Sunday Headliner: Twiddle plays the Michigan festival this weekend. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
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“An encompassing sense of community and togetherness.”
That’s the impetus behind the lineup and the overall vibe of Labor Day weekend’s Big Fam Music & Arts Festival in Farwell.
So says Andrew Martin, director of the second-year music festival rolling out Friday-Sunday at Liberty Mountain, about 95 miles northeast of Grand Rapids.
“We welcome open-minded individuals from all walks of life with open arms into this annual experience,” he said. “Every artist we book is intentional. We spent a lot of time curating the overall vibe and creating an experience that everyone can enjoy.”
Firing Up Friday Night: California’s Shlump. (Courtesy Photo)
For 2022, that atmosphere revolves around a blend of jam bands and electronic music artists – bass music to house music – ranging from acclaimed national acts such as Shlump, The Widdler, Truth, Twiddle, Jason Leech and A Hundred Drums to Michigan favorites Biomassive, Super Future, Desmond Jones, Dixon’s Violin, Chirp, Stormy Chromer, Hannah Rose Graves, Earth Radio and Trifocal.
“There are over 50 artists on the lineup from Michigan – a true showcase of some of the best, up-and-coming artists from all over the state,” Martin said.
Drummer John Nowak of Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones said the group is tickled to be sharing a stage with Vermont’s acclaimed funk-rockers Twiddle for the first time on Sunday night.
“They are complete professionals and a group that embodies a lot of what we want to be as a band as well,” he said, adding that the Big Fam festival shapes up as “a very special event that supports local musicians, artists, production, hospitality and more.”
MAKING NEW FANS, HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS, SHOWCASING NEW ACTS
“We have known some of the organizers for a long time and we are happy to provide the soundtrack to their awesome event,” Nowak said. “We look forward to making new fans and hanging out with old friends.”
Other headliners on the main Apogee Stage include California “West Coast bass” artist Shlump (Michael Petzel), Houston-based dubstep producer The Widdler and New Zealand dubstep duo Truth.
Pleased to ‘Provide a Soundtrack’ for Big Fam: Desmond Jones (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
“We have a great love and respect for every artist on the lineup. However, I’m personally excited for two artists I haven’t seen before – Jason Leech and A Hundred Drums,” Martin said.
Leech, an EDM producer and keyboardist from Louisville, has released several singles in 2022, including his latest track, “Dream,” which also features Evalution. Denver’s A Hundred Drums, aka bass music producer Gabrielle Watson, followed up a self-titled 2020 album with the singles “Enough is Enough,” “If I Have To” and “Dream State.”
The camping festival started in 2021 at Harmony Pines in Lake Ann, moving to its new site for 2022.
Martin expects 1,500 to 2,500 attendees for the Labor Day weekend event, which also will include an art exhibit by the Sundar Art Gallery, yoga and meditation sessions, educational workshops, and food, beverage and merchandise vendors.
General admission weekend tickets are $230; two-day tickets, $180, and available online at bigfamfestival.com. Single-day options also are available; vehicle passes are $40 with camping passes costing $100.
BIG FAM FESTIVAL 2022: The Local Spins Playlist
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