BLED FEST is back for its 14th annual substance-free, expansive lineup punk/emo show this weekend, on Saturday, May 26 in Howell, MI. After last year’s hometown performance of La Dispute’s biggest record, the 2018 lineup has big shoes to fill, replacing old heroes with newcomers to the DIY and keeping BLED FEST as a stepping stone for local Midwest bands to test their grit before diving into double-booked tours and record deals. Whether this is your first time at BLED FEST or your tenth, Impact is here to help! We’ve picked some bands we think you should give your undivided attention (or undivided pit opening effort) to this Saturday, but don’t feel bad if you miss a couple bands or get caught up in another illustrious set, every artist on this lineup is capable of a magical performance. Buy tickets for BLED FEST at the Hartland Performing Arts Center here!
Hailing from Minnesota is one of the hottest emo bands in America, Remo Drive. Signed to legendary punk label Epitaph, Remo Drive brings all aspects of alternative rock to their midwestern, anxiety-ridden tracks. The three-piece features one of the best vocalists in the genre with Erik Paulson as frontman and his lightning speed brother, Stephen on the drums. Remo Drive is certain to have one of the most explosive sets this Saturday so don’t miss the show!
Zoe Reynolds – composer and producer of Philadelphia project, Kississippi – has been making 2018 her year. After the release of her debut album, Sunset Blush, in April, Reynolds has found herself on the front page of many an indie site, deservedly so with her lush voice and biting lyrics of love and abuse. Her live set is intimate and soothingly dense, with a full band backing up a careful monologue of broken dreams and unforgotten hopes. Kississippi’s set at BLED FEST is a must-see, so don’t wait too long in the walking taco line and miss out!
Lansing sweethearts, Hot Mulligan, earned their reputation as one of the hardest working bands in music by touring relentlessly since their formation in 2014. From tiny bars to big festivals, Hot Mulligan’s pop-punk sound draws passionate fans from all over the country to their high energy set. With raucous, crowd-pleasing songs like “All You Wanted By Michelle Branch,” in their discography, have fun trying not to pass out at their set this weekend at BLED FEST!
Fronted by Chicago native Avery Springer, Retirement Party details the discomfort of the transitional period before becoming an adult in our wayward world. As Springer counts the ways in which the patriarchal society we live in intrudes daily on her own personal struggles, the rest of this four-piece rock group provides the soundtrack of angst and power. The band represents what it means to be young in 2018, and their live set couldn’t be a better postcard for everything DIY, so catch ‘em this Saturday at BLED FEST!
