Since the Dirt Fest took an undetermined hiatus back in 2009 and with no return date on the schedule, it left a real hole in the Michigan homegrown festival market. But gaining steady local popularity over the [...]]]>

Every Time I Die, The Chariot and others hit Hartland for Bled Fest this Saturday.

Since the Dirt Fest took an undetermined hiatus back in 2009 and with no return date on the schedule, it left a real hole in the Michigan homegrown festival market. But gaining steady local popularity over the past couple of years is the Hartland based Bled Fest, which is working its way on becoming the premiere locally based festival around these parts.

Sponsored by the mid-Michigan based Fusion Shows (best known as the group that helps larger hard rock and metal bands to smaller markets here in Michigan), this year’s Bled Fest plans to be the biggest bang for your buck in the event’s short history. With 5 stages of local and national acts this year, the festival boasts around 60 bands this year.

The Main Stage (Stage A- easy enough to remember) will feature Every Time I Die as the headliner. With the exception of a Warped Tour date last year, the band has mostly missed Detroit since the release of their latest album, but Hartland is close enough. Also on Stage A will be Georgia metalcore favorites Norma Jean and the always intense southern metal act The Chariot.

Stage B will feature New York based hardcore band This is Hell and Minnesota based After the Burial hit that stage. Also, make sure to check out the always hard working band from Lansing, Wilson, on Stage C. Stage C and D will feature a ton of up and comers, such as Living Like Ghosts and Apathy For An Enemy as well.

Bled Fest takes place on Saturday, May 28^th at the Hartland Performing Arts Center and runs from 12 Noon to 10:30 P.M. or so. But if you find your Memorial Day weekend to be a little quiet and you don’t want it to be that way, hitting the Bled Fest will be a good way to remedy that.

Bled Fest 2011 hits the Hartland Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 28^th. Tickets are $18 in advance and available at www.fusionshows.com. Additional information and a full list of set times are available at www.bledfest.com.

Forget OzzFest, forget any other major traveling festival- because the Vans Warped Tour is rolling into its 16th year and is now becoming a cross-generational event for rock fans young and old (but mostly young). The 2010 edition brings an entertaining mix [...]]]>

The Warped Tour takes over Comerica Park's parking lots this Friday.

Forget OzzFest, forget any other major traveling festival- because the Vans Warped Tour is rolling into its 16^th year and is now becoming a cross-generational event for rock fans young and old (but mostly young). The 2010 edition brings an entertaining mix of emo, old school punk and metal bands for what will most likely be a scorching day on the blacktop of the parking lots around Comerica Park.
But instead of discussing every band on the bill, here are a few intriguing prospects to check out this year at the Vans Warped Tour 2010:

Andrew W.K: If there’s one thing we can say about Andrew Wilkes-Krier- its that he likes to diversify. He finally released his long shelved album earlier this year, as well as a EP of new age piano numbers called “Cadillac 55” late last year. With hosting the Revolver Golden Gods Awards and running a nightclub- does Andrew have time to tour? I am sure he’ll be just fine.

Bring Me The Horizon: The best thing about the final Taste of Chaos tour in 2009, the great Brit hope for metal is gearing up to release their next album, out this fall. But for now, get sweaty and crazy to their debut, “Suicide Season”.

Every Time I Die: Hey guys, Detroit misses you…don’t be such a stranger to this town next time you release an album.

Mike Posner: This guy’s got a song on MTV Hits called “Cooler Than Me”- sounds like it ought to be on” Jersey Shore”.  This year’s Warped tour equivalent to Katy Perry, who played the festival in 2008. Even though he was born right here in Southfield, he’s a graduate from Duke- not exactly the hotbed of hip-hop activity.

Iwrestledabearonce: All the rage with the 15 year old metal crowd right now. The band themselves is quite talented, but needs to find a way to find cohesive songs next time around.

Pennywise & Reel Big Fish: Ok, this isn’t a double act- but this will be the extent of the “heritage” bands on Warped Tour this year and for older fans to recall seeing these bands played Warped back in the Phoenix Plaza days (ok, I’m included it that group). Pennywise has a brand new singer, and hopefully- the band doesn’t miss a beat.

Versaemerge: The band played the small Ernie Ball stage last year, and seemed to command a bigger than expected audience. This could be a breakout band in the next year and playing the main stage come Warped 2011.

The Dillinger Escape Plan: Just go see them, they’re all over the map, they’re awesome.

Over 70 bands hit the stages at Warped Tour this year, for a full listing of the bands playing in Detroit, check out www.warpedtour.com. Make sure to drink plenty of water and make sure to stay away from the sweaty guy with the “Free Hugs” shirts (because you know there will be plenty of them).

Warped Tour plays Comerica Park on Friday, July 30^th. Tickets are $33 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional dates and info, check out www.warpedtour.com.