The Strutt and IDEA Association are throwing a two-day outdoor summer festival at Arcadia Park in downtown Kalamazoo on July 3-4. The first annual Boiling Pot Fest will feature some of the best independent music in Michigan, as well as local food, microbrews, and art. According to the official website:

“The mission of the Boiling Pot Music Festival is to create an event centered around community engagement and local arts. It is an all-ages, family-friendly music and arts festival designed by local non-profits and businesses to increase the health and development of Kalamazoo communities. We strive for diversity, a safe environment and good, old-fashioned American fun.”

Sounds good to us. Check out the lineup below. Looks like a solid variety of styles and genres that, actually, just might have something for everyone…crazy.

For all the details, hit the official site at www.boilingpotfest.com

Some of the best talent in indie rock will grace the stage at the Strutt tonight; two nationally-touring and critically-acclaimed talents that both could pack the place in their own right.

MewithoutYou seamlessly combines a careening art rock sensebility with evocative lyrics, sometimes shouted and sometimes whispered. Initially known for their intense performances and unbridled “hobocore” energy, the band courted screamo and hard rock audiences across the world and proved their point with a handful of outstanding albums that still stand the test of time. In the years following, mewithoutYou has embraced experimentation, incorporating a variety of atypical instruments and embracing more melodic styles.

Listening to mewithoutYou is like running through the burning rubble of your parent’s house and trying to decide what you are going to grab. Frontman Aaron Weiss and company are sure to make this show one to remember.

David Bazan has been recognized by media outlets both small and large as one of the greatest songwriters in popular music. Bazan has been active in music for over 15 years, fronting the outstanding indie rock band Pedro the Lion and synthesizer-based side project Headphones.

Bazan has a captivating delivery that manages to be both syrupy and sincere. Such a voice only compliments his vivid and powerful songwriting. When Bazan dips his thoughts into irony or apathy, the effect is so strong that the listener can hear both the attitude and the underlying current of emotion, and that underlying current is all the stronger. He speaks of love, politics, and religion- all the things you aren’t supposed to talk about around the dinner table- without reserve. These are songs about car accidents, late-night phone calls gone wrong, romance and fall-out with women and God, waking up a broken man, states having affairs with each other, and having your leg run over by a train. This is not your average singer-songwriter fare. This is Bazan. Don’t miss it.

If they aren’t already sold out, tickets are $15 at the door. Also, show starts mega early. 7pm don’t be late.

All right, Kalamazoo. One of the biggest names in experimental rock will be blowing the minds of everyone in and near the Strutt on June 16.

HEALTH combines raw synths, fragments of rock and dance music, and spastic bursts of noise, creating something both melodic and jarring. The band may be best known for their song “Crimewave” – a remix by Crystal Castles landed the eerie dance track at #9 on the UK indie singles chart. If you are into experimental music at all, this show will move you.

Joining HEALTH on tour, Gold Panda weaves a warm blanket of synths, samples, and glo-fi beats.  His work possesses a dreamlike quality that has received acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, Dazed and Confused, The Guardian, NME and many more.

Kalamazoo’s hometown noise villains Rotten Wood Moon will bring their patented blend of feral rock rhythms and heavy noise, which is a totally unique experience every time. These guys always keep it wild.

Tickets are $10 Advance/ $12 at the door. Doors are at 8 pm. This will be a show to remember.

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http://www.thestrutt.com/