By Montae Harris
On July 22, six local bands will converge on the City of Middleville for the first-ever Rock on the River Music Festival.
Set at the Middleville Village Pavilion, 91 E. Main St., the event is the brainchild of artist and Studio Talk host Aaron Kroll who had one goal in mind: to create a format to help promote local independent artists.
“The purpose for Rock on the River Music Festival is to help our Independent artists to get more exposure and to help make awareness for them to get a bigger fan base,” Kroll said.
For the event, which starts at 1 p.m., will feature five bands from Grand Rapids, Coldville, Slumlord Radio, Holy Warheads, InnerItch, and Dirt Chili; and one from Kalamazoo, Fates Collide. Kroll said the groups offer a variety of styles including new rock, hard rock, and blues, which should meet about anyone’s taste in music.
“There are so many sounds and different styles of music out there that are being lost and forgotten and not notice which is the reason for this event,” Kroll said. “It’s kind of hard to put a label on these bands and I try not to because they all have their own style and their own way of doing things.”
The event is designed to be family friendly. There will be tables featuring band CDs and other items and opportunities to meet the various band members.
Middleville is just 20 minutes away from the Kentwood and Wyoming areas. It south on the East Beltline to E. Main Street. The Middleville Pavilion is located across from Stagecoach Park and the Middleville Village Offices.
The Rock on the River Music Festival runs from 1 – 7 p.m. Cost to get in is $5. For more information, click here.
