TRAVERSE CITY — Take it from Sav Buist, aka Sav Madigan, of The Accidentals, the popular Traverse City-bred alt-folk band that was instrumental in helping launch the inaugural edition of the Fair Ground Festival in Hastings last summer.
“Fair Ground has all the bands we wish we had time to go see; the lineup is a bucket list,” she asserted. “They’re proving that women can sell tickets on the festival circuit where most festivals are majority male lineups.
“I think people everywhere should support that. They are truly bringing in some of the best touring bands and paying a fair wage to support diversity and inclusivity.”
The second-year festival taking place on the grounds of the Barry County Expo Center about two hours and 45 minutes south of Traverse certainly has snagged one of the hottest acts touring the country these days: The War & Treaty, which got its start in Albion, will headline this weekend’s event after opening this summer for the likes of The Rolling Stones, playing several major festivals and appearing on national TV.
The soulful, award-winning Americana band led by Michael and Tanya Trotter closes out the festival at 8:55 p.m. Saturday, right after The Accidentals, who also will serve as the backing band for South Carolina rocker Hannah Wicklund at 6:15 p.m.
“We’ve never played a show with War and Treaty and it’s totally time to remedy that,” added Buist, who noted The Accidentals will perform songs from their new “Cover Art” album.
Filling out the Saturday bill will be several national and regional acts: Bailen, Alanna Royale, The Rebel Eves and Joy Clark. This year, the event actually kicks off with a pre-party at 7 p.m. Friday, starring Grand Rapids indie-rock/electro-pop band, In the Valley Below, which also is promoting a new studio album, with The Burney Sisters opening the show.
“We’re stoked about Fair Ground Fest’s mission to be female-powered in their booking,” said singer-songwriter Katie Pederson of The Rebel Eves, a Michigan-based, Americana super-group which also features Grace Theisen and Jilian Linklater.
“We talk a lot during our shows about women being historically under-represented both in music composition and production, as well as in booking for festivals like this, so we love to see when promoters are doing a great job of being more mindful about inclusivity for their stage rosters. We’re honored to be a part of this year’s lineup.”
Pederson added that “every single group that will be on that stage has insane talent” and that The Rebel Eves have long yearned to open for The War and Treaty. “It’s gonna be a great day all around.”
Hosted by the Thornapple Arts Council of Barry County, the festival this year moved up its date from August to the last weekend in July.
Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children 4-10, available online at thornapplearts.org/fairground. There’s also a $5 parking fee and a $200 VIP options available. Tickets for the Friday pre-party are $20. More information at thornapplearts.org/fairground.