2016 Up North Music Festival Roundup

June 10, 2016

Music, dancing, food and fun — who could ask for anything more? Summer is back, and with it the return of all of northern Michigan’s seasonal musical festivals. From Bay View to Microbrew, Rootenanny to Manitou, it’s all happening Up North!

BAY VIEW MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 19–August 18 Bay View Campus (Petoskey)

MUSIC: Since the Bay View summer community spans all ages, its concert lineup aims to appeal to the same. This year, the fest is featuring more themed performances from the Bay View String Quartet, swing-rock from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and radiofriendly folk-pop from Paula Cole.

MORE: Got theater? The Bay View Fest does, with additional presentations including fully-staged versions of Evita and Beauty and the Beast.

TICKETS: Priced individually by show.

WEB: bayviewfestival.org

INTERLOCHEN ARTS FESTIVAL

June 23–August 28 Interlochen Center for the Arts

MUSIC: The emphasis this year is mostly on classic rock, with concerts lined up from singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and the Steve Miller Band, plus ’80s acts like Huey Lewis, Pat Benatar, and Rick Springfield. A couple of indie-rock shows from Old Crow Medicine Show and Jake Shimabukuro keep the lineup current.

MORE: Interlochen’s also great at finding the best retro performers around; this summer they’ll feature Capitol Steps and the Glenn Miller Band.

TICKETS: Priced individually by show.

WEB: tickets.interlochen.org

BIG TICKET FESTIVAL

June 23–25 Allegan County Fairgrounds, Gaylord

MUSIC: Keep the faith at Gaylord’s Big Ticket fest, which features live performances from headliners TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, and Switchfoot, plus a separate indie-artists stage and extra activities like the Jack Pine Lumberjack Show, a 5K run, and this year’s special Inspired exhibit featuring biblical artifacts that are on their way to the National Bible Museum in Washington, D.C.

MORE: If you dig country music, show up a day early and catch Big Ticket Country on Wednesday, with sets from Scotty McCreery and ReaLynn.

TICKETS: 1-day adult tickets start at $35; 3-day tickets are $79.

WEB: bigticketfestival.com

TRAVERSE CITY WINE AND ART FESTIVAL

June 25 Grand Traverse Commons, TC

MUSIC: Detroit songwriter (and B.B. King’s nephew) Phillip-Michael Scales, New Orleans singer Carsie Blanton, and local favorites Blake Elliott and the Robinson Affair all serve as opening acts for this year’s festival headliner, Dallas, Texas band The Roomsounds, who play an original old-school rock-country that will remind you of The Faces or The Black Crowes.

MORE: Alongside the music will be an art show and wine education lounge, plus local gourmet food and award-winning northern Michigan wines.

TICKETS: $55 in advance, $65 at the door.

WEB: traversecitywinefestival.com

FREDERIC MUSIC FESTIVAL June 24–25 Betty Sajdak Memorial Park, Frederic

MUSIC: One of the newer festivals on the scene, Frederic’s fest is rounding the corner into its fourth year, with its roster of live performers including some imports as well as plenty of familiar northern Michigan sounds. Included in this year’s fest will be sets from popular duo Oh Brother Big Sister, The Hitsmen, Ground Zero, Small Town Scholars, and Tim Williams.

MORE: Plenty of food and beverage vendors plus an extensive craft show, a big flea market, and more will keep you busy in between performances.

TICKETS: Free.

WEB: facebook.com/fredericmusicfestival

MANITOU MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 25–August 17 Various venues in Glen Arbor

MUSIC: Variety is the buzzword of this music fest, beginning in June with multi-instrumentalist Jen Sygit and singer Brett Mitchell. July brings patriotic music from the Northport Community Band, Celtic music from Nessa, Brooklyn blues from Mulebone, and indie-folk by The Crane Wives. In August, Dave Hardin brings bluegrass, and Goitse presents Irish sounds.

MORE: Waiting for your show of choice to start? You’ll be easily entertained by Glen Arbor’s selection of restaurants and art galleries.

TICKETS: Vary by concert.

WEB: glenarborart.org

NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL

July 2–9 various venues in Traverse City

MUSIC: With only about 10 years to go until the National Cherry Festival’s centennial, this year’s music lineup is 90 percent retro and 10 percent country, with current Nashville standout Frankie Ballard headlining. Get back to where you once belonged with 1964: The Tribute, a band that evokes The Beatles, then revisit the ’70s with Cheap Trick and the ’80s with Billy Idol and Vanilla Ice.

MORE: If your idea of a great music festival includes all things cherry, you’re in luck; cherry soda, cherry ice cream and cherry burgers are all available.

TICKETS: Vary by event.

WEB: cherryfestival.org

BLISSFEST

July 8–10 Bliss Festival Farm

MUSIC: Headliners at this year’s Blissfest include New Orleans act The Boxcar Boys, Aussie singer Harper, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary), Mississippi’s the Cedric Burnside Project, Dutch folk group Harmony Glen, and many, many more. Sunday night will close the fest with a performance from 2016 The Voice finalist, Michigan’s own Laith Al-Saadi.

MORE: This miniature Woodstock in northern Michigan farmland also offers camping, food, drum circles, artisan crafts, workshops, and dances.

TICKETS: Non–member prices start at $30 per day for adults.

WEB: blissfest.org

FARMFEST

August 11–14 Stacy Jo’s Farm (20 miles east of Gaylord)

MUSIC: Get back to the farm — literally — with this festival that’s tucked into the countryside and offers a true down-home feel. Folk, rock, and bluegrass are the trio of genres you’ll hear the most of, including sets by The Bandura Gypsies, The Go Rounds, Kirby, The Medicine Bell, Seth Bernard, The Blue Water Ramblers, and much more.

MORE: Camp on site and enjoy food from the Feedbag Cafe, plus side diversions like Parkin’ Lot Pickin’ and morning yoga sessions.

TICKETS: Daily tickets are $25; full weekend, including camping, starts at $75.

WEB: farm-fest.com

HOXEYVILLE

August 19–21 Wellston (Hoxeyville’s dedicated site)

MUSIC: Popular returning headliner Joshua Davis leads the local pack, with other familiar performers including Billy Strings, Fauxgrass, Soul Patch, and Airborne or Aquatic. The Hoxeyville roster is rounded out by additional shows by big names Greensky Bluegrass and Railroad Earth, plus sets from Luke Winslow King, The Crane Wives, and Roosevelt Diggs.

MORE: Camp at the festival site to stay steps away from the stages, or choose offsite campgrounds like Kestelwoods or Caberfae Peaks.

TICKETS: General admission starts at $140 for the weekend.

WEB: hoxeyville.com

FESTIVAL ON THE BAY

August 19–20 Petoskey Waterfront Park

MUSIC: Gaylord dance band The Cookies knows how to get a crowd moving on the dance floor, and that’s why they’re a favorite of this P-town festival, which is welcoming them back again this year. Additional performances from Boyne City band The Pistil Whips and the Fight for the Festival Battle winner The Drift will also be included in this year’s Festival on the Bay festivities.

MORE: If The Cookies don’t wear out your feet, stick around for additional dancing opportunities at the Silent Disco and the Club Electro Sunset Dance Party. TICKETS: Concert ticket prices TBA.

WEB: petoskeyfestival.com

TC MICROBREW AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 26–27 The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

MUSIC: This year’s Microbrew and Music headliners include Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, fresh from tour dates with Sharon Jones and Daryl Hall. They’ll be sharing the stage with additional sets from the likes of That 1 Guy, The Go Rounds, The Heard, The Revivalists, the Detroit Party Marching Band, and The Last Revel. You can Silent Disco dance here too.

MORE: As per the festival name, there will be plenty of microbrews available from both local brewers and downstate imports.

TICKETS: General admission tickets start at $50.

WEB: microbrewandmusic.com