Back in the day (and in NYC), it was a trend that the hottest places to be were often the very venues without a visible address or map. As I scoured for an address to the House of Pancakes and the Waffle Haus – both local places I have been but also actual homes acting as impromptu event spaces in the city – I have decided since they have elected to hide this critical info (until revealed via a
ticket purchase) I will play along with the charade.
But it is no game when you look at the line up that BrekFEST has booked into what can only be described as a revolving door of talent they will rotate through these two Eastown homes this weekend.
Since the eviction of The DAAC from Division Avenue, the need for a small indie space to host events like BrekFEST still lingers. Yet, rather than wait, the folks at Do It Together: Grand Rapids, who not only are producing this event but have also helped The DAAC with their online fundraising campaign earlier this year, are filling the void with this and other programming they are creating in our city.
At $15 for a day pass and $20 for a two-day (of which only 100 are available), this is probably the best ticket value of the year.
Friday's lineup, starting at 6 p.m., includes acts Watchbear, Kastanza, Pistolbrides, Heaters, CARE, Sandkings, Jakes Simmons & the Little Ghosts, Annabel, Moses, Suns, Sapphic, and The Faultline.
On Saturday the line up begins earlier (at 2 p.m.) and features The Emphisian Effect, It's a Secret, The Exploration, So Long Naota, Jes Kramer, Eleanor Quigley, Nightshift, Mold, Wounded Knee, Flesh Born, Lions, SRVVLST, Natural Disasters, Odd Dates, The Cardboard Swords, Running Shoes, Scowler, Brave Bird, and Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate).
The live music festival with a very heavy community-building angle for our local music scene features locals and plenty of visiting artists converging in the city with a diverse range of styles. If you have an urge to join but do not recognize some of the names, that's cool. Best way to shorten that gap is to visit Bandcamp on the web where, after a few clicks, you'll easily decide if this is your scene or not.
Admission: $15 & $20