And now, the big bad Metrotimes Blowout versus the upstart Whateverfest.
Sure, Blowout has Andrew W.K. and Perfect Pussy and the Black Lips, but those shows will be packed houses and tests of human olfactory endurance, as you stand next to a guy who just ate his weight in Crazy Bread wishing the encore had never been invented and praying for a cold shower. You’ll also pay 4x as much for the privilege, have to traipse across Metro Detroit from bar to bar and endure your fair share of dad bands schlepping out tired garage rock.
Whateverfest offers a more grassroots, BYOB style experience. The two day festival will be hosted by two independent venues. It starts on May 1, at 12:00 p.m. at Elijah’s House of Dirt, located at 9536 Joseph Campau in Hamtramck. Then continuing, Saturday, May 2 at 3:30 p.m. at Tires, located at 6541 Lafayette in Detroit.
Tires is particularly impressive for a DIY space, boasting a wicked stage with great sound and lighting and, for the brave souls out there, a fully functional half pipe, which will host both bands and skaters alike.
On Saturday, May 2nd at Tires, there is an indoor mini-ramp session at 2:00 p.m., followed by a game of SKATE – which we gather is the equivalent of horse in the skating world. The ramp will be accessible until 4 p.m. There will also be vendors and communal painting and interactive artwork led by popular local artist Mark Anthony.
And of course, there will be a stockpile of great bands to check out, including Prude Boys, The Vonneguts, as well as DJs Dopehead, and TEZ spinning until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
So, if you’re looking for something a little different to do this weekend, Whateverfest is just five bucks and spans from Friday May 1, to the wee hours of Sunday morning on May 3.
Check out this unique festival this weekend, or don’t. Whatever.
