by Lexi Bissonnette
Summertime always means concerts and festivals galore and this year is the 30th anniversary of one of the biggest partially free festivals in the country; Musikfest. Musikfest is a week long even from August 2nd to the 11th in Bethlehem, PA. With 14 stages and over 500 performances with most being free of charge, the 30th anniversary is sure to be as awesome as the last 29. Headliners this year include Carly Rae Jepsen, Avenge Sevenfold, Ke$ha and more.
Along with performances and activities for kids, Musikfest is loaded with vendors and retailers for attendees. With over 20 food vendors, festival goers shouldn’t have any issues satisfying their hunger. Aw Shucks is back with everyone’s favorite roasted corn, Cactus Blue Mexican Food, Mr. Bill’s poultry, Festival Island Noodles and Theo’s Gyros are just a few of the delicious vendors on the lineup. Fried Oreos, fried Reese’s cups and more fried oddities will be available for you to try, too…if you dare!
Shopping will be a great distraction in between band sets and the festival will have plenty. With retailers from jewelry to soap and clothing to photos, there’s a little something for everyone. Expression of Glass, Barry Gebhert’s silver work, Bonsai Garden and the Vintage Image Shop are just a few of the retailers setting up shop this year. Main St. in Bethlehem is also right in the middle of the action with plenty of shops and restaurants to explore.
As always, Musikfest is packed with the things that have always made it spectacular; music, games, rides and actives. But, this year, there are many special additions and even the return of some things from the very first festival in 1984. John Gorka, a folk singer, will be a part of the opening ceremony and it’s his first year back since 1984. Don’t forget the Musikfest Cafe that is open Fridays and Saturdays until 1am to keep the fun going.
It’s hard to explain everything about Musikfest in one sitting. It’s even harder to mention every single performer. See below for a partial schedule and highlights for each day. Go to http://www.musikfest.org for more on daily lineup, maps and more. If you plan on attending, make sure you download Musikfest’s iPhone app so you always know where the next band is and any other info to make the most of your time at the festival.
August 2:
BANDS
4-5 Chaquis Maliq @TD Community Stage
5-6 pm Mike Lorenz Quarter @ National Penn Bank Jazz Cabaret Stage
6-7 The Sofa King @ Wells Fargo Festplatz
8-9 HEADLINER Carly Rae Jepsen @ Sands Steel $29-39
EVENTS
DanceNow 5:30 & 7:30 @Air Product Town Square
Opening Ceremony @ Aetna Americaplatz @ 6pm
Late night comedy- (Mandudebro) ArtsQuest center @ 11:15
August 3:
BANDS
12-3:30 Joe Stanky and the Cadest @ Wells Fargo Festplatz
4-5 The Honey Badgers @TD Bank Community Stage
9:30-11 HEADLINER One Republic @ Sands Steel $39-49
11-1 James Hesky @ National Penn Bank
EVENTS
Color Me Rad 5k
Liberty High School- presents the acts they’ve booked @ Plaza Tropical 2:30-6
DanceNOW 5:30 & 7:30 @Air Product Town Square
Late Night Comedy (James husky) ArtsQuest center @ 11:15
August 4: Summer of Love Day 2:30-11pm special acts @ Plaza Tropical
BANDS
4-7 The Nerds@ Wells Fargo Festplatz
5:30-6 We as Human @ Sands Steel
8-10 Hot Club of Philadelphia @ National Penn Bank Jazz Cabaret Stage
9-10:30 HEADLINER Skillet @ Sands Steel 29-39 bucks
EVENTS
Religious Masses
Think Community
DanceNow 5:30 & 7:30 @Air Product Town Square
August 5:
Big Band/ Swing Dance Day noon-11 special acts at Festplatz
BANDS
12-2 pm Kira Willey @Plaza Tropical
4-5:30 school of rock @ Plaza Tropical
7:30-8 BB King @Sands Steel Stage
8:30-11 The Late Ancients @ Main Street
9:30- 11HEADLINER Framptons Guitar Cirucs @ Sands Steel Stage $39-54 11-12am Trouble City All-Stars @ TD Bank Community Stage
August 6: Country Day 2:30-11 @ Festplatz
BANDS
12-2 We Kids Rock @ Plaza Tropical
4-5 Taking Tomorrow @TD Bank Community
5-7 Crazy Hearts @ Wells Fargo Festplatz
8:30-10 HEADLINER Geroge Thorogood and the destroyers @ Sands Steel Stage $43-53
11-12 the Bigness @ TD Bank Community Stage
August 7: 70’s Disco Day noon-11 @ Festplatz
BANDS
2:30-5 The Exceptions @ Wells Fargo Festplatz
5:30-7:30 the Folkadelics @ Muiskfest Cafe
7:45-8:30 Foreigner @ Sands Steel Stage
8:30-11 Soul Cruisers @ Wells Fargo
9:30-10:45 HEADLINER Styx @ Sands Steel Stage $44-54
August 8: 50’s Day noon-7:30 @ Festplatz and Day at the Beach 2:30-11 @ Plaza Tropical
BANDS
12-1 Starfish @ Plaza Tropical
2:30-4 Coffin Daggers @ Plaza Tropical
6-7 The Beach Bumz @ Plaza Tropical
8:30-10:15 HEADLINER KC and the Sunshine Band @ Sands Steel Stage $32- 42
10-1am Philly Funk Authority @ Muskiest Cafe
August 9: Latin Dance Night 6:30-11 @ Festplatz
BANDS
3-4 pm John Steven’s Doubleshot @ Wells Fargo Festplatz
5-6:30 the hunts @ Aetna Americaplatz
8:45-10 HEADLINER Darius Rucker @ Sands Steel Stage $39-54
EVENTS
DanceNOW 5:30 & 7:30 @Air Product Town Square
Late Night Comedy (associated mess) ArtsQuest center @ 11:15
August 10: Biritsh Invasion Day noon-11 @ Festplatz
BANDS
12-2 Elijah and the Moon @ Main Street
5-7:30 the Blue Meanies @ Wells Fargo Festplatz
8:45-10:15 HEADLINER Kesha @ Sands Steel Stage $44-59
11-1am Spokey Speaky @ TD Bank Community Stage
EVENTS
Freedom High School acts
DanceNOW 5:30 & 7:30 @Air Product Town Square
Late Night Comedy (Randy Tonge) ArtsQuest center @ 11:15
August 11: Oktoberfest preview noon-11 @ Festplatz
BANDS
12-2 Uncle Rock @ Plaza Tropical
4-5 The 4 Walls @ Main Street
7-7:45 Dj Fusion @ Main Street
9:15-10:45 HEADLINER Avenged Sevenfold @ Sands Steel Stage $49-59
EVENTS
DanceNOW5:30 & 7:30 @Air Product Town Square
members fireworks party @ Sands Deck 7:30-10:30
Fireworks 9:45
Late Night Comedy at ArtsQuest center @ 11:15
