Laneway happened. St. Jerome's Laneway Festival brought a unique feeling to the rolling hillsides of Meadow Brook Music Festival. The low key festival with a chill vibe kicked off its first North American event in the Detroit area. The scene was set with large sculptures, hammocks, artwork and bales of hay that were scattered on the festival grounds.
The laid back vibe extended beyond the fans themselves and seeped into the ones that they had come to see- the musicians themselves. From the lead singer to the hardcore drummer, the band was there to scope out the scene and become part of music history- watching it unfold from the stage and as part of the audience when they were done with their set.
Laneway Detroit was a fresh fest that was cool because nobody knew what to expect.
Bands performed. The music was well-curated, displaying a wide range of styles which merged together to create a cohesive roster of raw talent. It was decidedly different with a sense of familiarity all at once. Meander around to discover someone you never heard of or catch your fave band as they tear into their lyrics with a new vengeance.
From the Pavillion stage to the Movement stage, all the artists seemed excited to be at Laneway Detroit. Down to their bones. From the synthy whispers coming from Chvrches to the bombastic bravado spewing out of Run the Jewels, an El-P + Killer Mike collab, there was definitely something for everyone, with lots of in-between to check out.
All the bands that graced each of the five stages killed it. Heathered Pearls christened the Movement stage in the early afternoon, while Matthew Dear closed it out as the sun was beginning to fade. The Roscoe stage was home to Deerhunter and Frightened Rabbit, while the Meadow stage played host to the sexy BAMF singer from Alunageorge, flanked by media-fave Chet Faker and crowd-fave Run the Jewels.
The Derrick stage was the setting for the avant-garde Savages followed later that evening by the frenetic musings of The National. The Pavilion stage featured the impeccable CHVRCHES gave way to kinetic duo Icona Pop, who burst onto the scene until Solange staked her claim and made it her own, creating an edgy soul experience through her lighthearted yet sultry throwback sound.
The musical factory of event crashers that is the Detroit Party Marching Band, spilled out everywhere wearing their signature flashy DPMB garb. Horns raging through the air, clanging their way with unabashed bravado from stage to stage, crowds erupted like hot magma around a volcano.
Artists created. You could smell the paint in the air as the slight breeze carried a kaleidoscope of colors from the canvas. Artists such as David Corneal and Terry A. Burton worked to translate the moment into something tangible as the music played.
Crowds cheered. It was a place for serious fans and casual listeners. Everyone fit. The casual atmosphere was electrified by the crowds, whose excitement was matched and amplified by the bands that were featured at this all day and into-the-night bash.
And then they went home. Or to the after-party. (But that's another story)