Tyler Grady performs at MACRoCK over the weekend. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
The following was written by Cassandra Mullinix. We love her to death and while some of us were taking in Old Indian’s vinyl release show on Saturday, Cassandra was busy mac-rocking-and-rolling her way through Virginia. Below is her recap.
MACRoCK, hosted by WXJM out of Harrisonburg, Virginia, is consistently the best little music festival that you could spend your money on. If I had my own award for music festivals, I’d give it something like the J.K. Rowling underdog award for all the once-undiscovered bands that have played there, who are now making big names for themselves. It’s the place to catch great bands on the rise to national status.
Do you like college towns? Do you like college radio stations? Do you like the area’s best local bands? Those are three reasons — at the very least — why you should put MACRoCK 2016 on your calendar next year. Now, here are five more why MACRoCK is most excellent.
1. All of your friends play there. Whether you’re from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Washington D.C., or Philadelphia, you are bound to see some homies at MACRock. We rocked out with our local friends Goodwolf, New God, Rozwell Kid, Wish List, and RHIN (in no specific order) and totally had a great time getting to know some D C. bands like The Sea Life and Paperhaus.
2. Bikes and bands. Need I say more? No, but I will anyway since I’m here writing and all. MACRoCK happens at the perfect time of year to knock the winter dust off your bicycle and take it for a spin around the alley ways of downtown Harrisonburg. It’s also the best way to quickly get back and forth between showcases and beat some of the lines at night. Shout out to the great folks at Shenandoah Bicycle Company — I always plan a little time to stop by the shop and talk bikes.
3. Where do you find out what the drink of choice is among bass players? Why, MACRoCK of course! Thanks Eskimeaux for that fun photo of your bass player sipping on a martini (extra olive) on stage. Keep it classy.
4. It’s crowded, but it’s fun crowded. Unlike a lot of festivals, the venues at MACRoCK maintain a sweet spot for capacity. It’s crowded enough to feel like you’re part of something, but not so crowded that if you go get a drink, you fear that you’ll never make it back up front to catch that one band you really want to see. After-parties at Crayola House? Well, that’s a different story.
5. The music and the bands are accessible. There is no great divide of backstages or barriers between fans and bands at MACRoCK. In fact, the closer the two are together, the more fun the experience. Go nuts! Tell the lead singer about your cheesy story of when you first heard their songs and instantly felt connected to the band. Or draw silly sketches of the band and have each of the band members sign the drawing. Whatever. It’s a music festival for you. It’s a music festival for the fans.
There were a lot of bands to see during the two day event that is MACRoCK. We wish we could have seen even more of the great bands on the lineup, but we were entirely grateful and satisfied to see performances by the folks listed below.
- Wish List
- Trophy Wives
- Rozwell Kid
- Paperhaus
- Elvis Depressedly
- Stephen Lee
- Tucker Riggleman (Bishops)
- Tyler Grady (Goodwolf)
- John R Miller (Fox Hunt)
- Kenny Tompkins (New God)
- Wailin Storms
- The Sea Life
- Quilt
- RHIN
- Uncle Bengine and The Restraining Orders
- Eskimeaux
- Told Slant
- Crying
