Returning yet again for another stellar series of shows in Kalamazoo’s Arcadia Creek Festival Place, Audiotree Music Festival 2018 looks as promising as ever. Featuring over 20 artists in a beautiful venue full of craft beer and food trucks, you won’t want to miss out on all the action this coming weekend, September 22 and 23. It’s hard to miss anyone at this festival because everyone plays on the same stage throughout the two-day event, but if you need advice on which artists to pay close attention to, you’ve come to the right place! Here are our Audiotree 2018 must-sees!
One of indie rock’s most consistent groups since their 2011 release, Days, Real Estate’s profound ability for earwormy guitar textures should make them one of the most anticipated sets of Audiotree’s entire festival. Perfect for the transitionary period between summer and autumn, Martin Courtney’s lovely songs evoke past feelings of kinship, togetherness and longing. The rhythm section of the band keeps their momentum pleasantly off-kilter and unpredictable, while guitar melodies intertwine and elaborately reveal the songs’ true, hidden moments. If you want to feel your stress gently wash away with every drum beat and strum, don’t miss Real Estate’s set on Sunday!
These Philadelphia up-and-comers have generated a lot of buzz around their name and for good reason. Their avant-garde rock writing is oxymoronically unique in a very familiar way. If Animal Collective dropped everything they ever made and started a post-punk band akin to math-rock band, Hella, they might start to sound like this extremely tight four-piece group. Palm’s music is tied deeply to physicality and movement, the rhythms stilted and jerky under a wave of pulsating strings that seem to influence the human body. Their set is sure to bring the hypnosis and ferocity if you are in the mood for one of indie rock’s best new outfits this Sunday!
Uprooted from the depths of Chicago DIY, Melkbelly is raw, fantastic energy-strapped with a bazooka and ready to fire. Back in 2014, they recorded their first EP in a single day and soon found themselves touring with the likes of Speedy Ortiz and Built to Spill. They take influence from any bands that “draw on a sense of adventure,” easily recognized on their rampant, chaotic fire-breathing tracks. Melkbelly’s perfect set would be at the top of an erupting volcano as golf-ball sized hail rained from the skies. Or… you know, at Audiotree Music Festival this Saturday!
If you’re not satisfied with the high tension list we’ve put together so far, Diet Cig should round out the ballot. A punk two-piece with a knack for catchy hooks, detailed lyrics and fast guitars, their set is sure to be a hectic and bouncy half-hour. Their music works wonders in empowering the unheard and unsatisfied, and as far as emo/punk bands go, Diet Cig tends to run a little more optimistic sonically, so this would be a good set to catch if you’re feeling particularly like a dumpster fire this weekend. Check them out if you need a good sweat to smiles ratio this Saturday!
Well folks, there’s lots to dig in to on this stacked lineup, and these great bands are just a taste of what’s to come this weekend in Kalamazoo. But don’t take our word for it! Check out the magic for yourself and buy tickets before they’re gone, here.