ARTIST SPOTLIGHTS
Split Lip Rayfield
The Kings of Kansas Bluegrass, Split Lip Rayfield, will be celebrating their 30th anniversary with a free show live on Mass St at this year’s festival on Saturday night. Self-described as a “thrashgrass trio”, few acts have ever left a mark on the Kansas music scene such as this one. The group is credited with helping to shape a new genre by blending elements of bluegrass, punk rock, hard rock, and country music into a unique and powerful sound. The band’s iconic homemade gas tank bass, respectfully referred to as “The Stitchgiver”, is crafted from an automotive gas tank and fitted with a single weed eater line for the string. The band was formed after the Wichita and Lawrence musicians met in the Pecan Grove campground at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. SLR consists of Jeff Eaton (gas tank bass), Wayne Gottstine (mandolin, guitar), and Eric Mardis (banjo, guitar). They lost their charismatic guitarist and co- founder Kirk Rundstrom to cancer in 2007. The seemingly sparse combo is capable of producing a massive amount of sound. Audiences are amazed by the instrumental prowess and strong vocal harmonies on display at an SLR performance. All hail the Kings, Split Lip Rayfield.
Johnny Mullenax Band
Funky Country Bluegrass Good Time For Working Folks. Johnny Mullenax and hisband are a musical juggernaut. Navigating genres between bluegrass, country, andfunky R&B with pristine professionalism and a new take on that distinctive Okie sound. Let Johnny and the boys rip your head apart post SLR with a late-night set at the Granada Theater on Saturday night. Then get your biscuits buttered by them as theyhost their signature Bluegrass Breakfast on Sunday at Lucia.
Front Porch
Contemporary bluegrass and old-time mayhem from Northwest Arkansas. The quartet has been making waves with blistering picking, poignant songwriting and tight jams, electrifying audiences across the Midwest and beyond. Catch one of the region’s hottest acts as they set the big stage on fire live on Mass St before SLR on Saturday night. Then again at the Bluegrass brunch on Sunday at Lucia.
MoonShroom
The group, hailing from Lawrence Kansas, performs captivating sets on stages far & wide. Featuring Lily B Moonflower on guitar & vocals, Jake Keegan on dobro & vocals, Zach Bozeman on upright bass, & Colby Allen Walter on mandolin, electric guitar & vocals. Together they create a unique sonic tapestry, building a bridge the audience can cross to feel a oneness with the musical energy radiating from the stage! Expanding upon stylings of Americana, bluegrass, folk, and country — the group sends their sound into the stratosphere with their signature spin of “Grassadelic Twang”. MoonShroom celebrates their new album release party with us as headliners on The Granada Theater stage Friday night.
John Depew Trio
Kansas-based John Depew is an accomplished instrumentalist & songwriter drawing inspiration from bluegrass, jazz, classical, and other tradional sounds for his original material. Storytelling, humor & down-to-earth philosophy + high-level musicianship! Trio show w/ banjo + upright bass. Don’t miss their unique set Friday night on the Granada Theater stage.
Lauren Lovelle & The Midnight Spliffs
Lauren Lovelle & The Midnight Spliffs are a vibrant Kansas City-based country group known for their lively performances and authentic sound. Fronted by the dynamic Lauren Lovelle, the band blends classic country with modern influences, creating a unique and infectious musical style. Their energetic shows and heartfelt lyrics have earned them a dedicated following in the local music scene and beyond. Burn one down with them on Mass St. Saturday evening.
Pretend Friend
Pretend Friend is a nationally touring progressive bluegrass and folk band based in Wichita, Kansas. Focused on creating original music, Pretend Friend melds captivating lyrics and soulful melodies into timeless songs. The blending of traditional familiarity with improvised jams, driving bluegrass, vocal harmonies, and anthemic choruses only begins to encompass the soundscape created by the genre-bending acoustic group. Catch them Friday night at the Granada Theater.
Betsy O & The Hollaback Boys
An acoustic quartet servin’ up a crazy cocktail of pop, rock and country tunes with a bluegrass twist, alongside original roots music. They bring the party and have you hollering for more. Don’t miss them at the Granada Theater on Friday.
The Facklers
The ultimate Ween experience. If you like your rock n roll very Brown, The Facklers are your one-way ticket to Chocolate Town. So put on your fancy pants and wave that stick in the wind. The Facklers rock Lucia on Friday night.
Sophia Clark
Cuntry as Funk. Sophia’s soaring vocals create a tidal wave of music backed up by an incredible group of musicians that provide an authentic Okie sound. She makes her debut inLawrence on Friday night on the Granada Theater’s stage.
Whiskey Mash
High velocity bluegrass ground out of Kansas City, MO. The new-found ensemble thrives on improvisation and genre-bending around core bluegrass instrumentation: guitar, mandolin, (bumpin’) upright bass and banjo. At a live performance, expect to see them effortlessly step in and out of a mix of Americana, country, traditional, R&B, blues and psychedelic music. The group draws on their collective musical inspirations and aspirations to put together an energizing unique and fun performance fit to turn any occasion into a once-in-a-lifetime party. They play the Granada Theater on Friday night.
Jenna & Martin
Jenna Rae & Martin Farrell Jr. create classic country sounding music in a new way collaborating on a genre they call “Cosmic Western”. This music incorporates bluegrass techniques, gospel harmonies, rock rhythms and experimental classic country sounds. Martin makes his telecaster guitar and pedal steel guitar speak like a dog, kitten, truck, chicken or whatever the song requires. Creating a wall of rockin’ sound they take their listeners on a Cosmic Western journeywith old-timey sounding music and real-life storytelling. They kick off the Bluegrass Brunch at Lucia on Sunday.
DJ Proof
A legend of the Larrytown party scene! When DJ Proof spins – everyone wins. Catch him Saturday night at Lucia after the party on Mass Street.
DJ Hoops McCann
When DJ Hoops McCann takes the helm, you know it’s going to be smooth sailing. All aboard – his all vinyl, yacht rock set drops anchor Friday night at Lucia.