Set on over 85 acres of farmland surrounded by the Manistee National Forest, Hoxeyville Music Festival will return to Wellston, MI on Aug. 19-21.
Hoxeyville celebrates its 13th anniversary as the premiere roots music event in Michigan, and includes sets from several Grand Rapids bands and artists, as well as national acts which are frequent visitors to the city.
Described as "a family reunion with great music" by Soundfuse Magazine, Hoxeyville returned in 2014 after a one-year hiatus with a renewed focus on Michigan musicians.
The event, which is headlined yearly by Kalamazoo's hard-touring outfit Greensky Bluegrass, will also feature Colorado's Railroad Earth in a headlining spot.
“Hoxeyville is certainly special to us," said Greensky's Paul Hoffman,to Local Spins prior to the 2015 festival. "Having played all but the inaugural festival, recording two albums in Hoxeyville, and being surrounded by friends and family who have supported us from inception.”
Another Colorado band, Elephant Revival, takes the stage before Greensky on Saturday, while Mandolin Orange of Chapel Hill, NC play the main stage on Saturday.
Joshua Davis, who earned national acclaim after his appearance on NBC's "The Voice," hits the main stage with his quartet Saturday night as well.
“We know nearly every musician performing at the festival – some of them friends like Josh, Seth Bernard and May Erlewine, The Go Rounds or all the other ones," Hoffman added. "And it’s exciting to have some of our friends from elsewhere coming to visit our little slice of forest heaven."
GRAND RAPIDS FEATURED ACTS
One of the featured Grand Rapids bands is Fauxgrass, who perform Friday at the Mitten stage.
“We get to experience some amazing music from local Michigan artists who we have tremendous respect for,” said Fauxgrass mandolinist Jason Wheeler, of the festival. “We also continue to be part of a wonderful Michigan musical culture all at the same time!"
Other Grand Rapids artists include The Crane Wives, Roosevelt Diggs, Nicholas James and the Bandwagon, Mark Lavengood's Bluegrass Birthday Bonanza, Big Dudee Roo, Roosevelt Diggs and members of Airborne or Aquatic.
"If you've never been [to Hoxeyville], you need to see what you've been missing," Wheeler added. "The organizers of Hoxeyville are excellent people with good intentions, and it takes a community to come together and make Hoxeyville something special for all of us ... Places like Hoxeyville offer something beyond a good time. It’s a place to grow as musicians, appreciators of music and as a collective.
"Come dance, bring the family, bring a guitar and bring a friend! You won't be disappointed."
Saturday single-day tickets have already sold out, but weekend tickets for the Aug. 19-21 event are still available at hoxeyville.com, and also are anticipated to sell out.
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