The Mountain Goats
2026 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert Series This is a 18 and over event – 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian There are Mountain Goats albums that emerge from historical deep dives, vividly rendered autobiography, liturgical exploration, and modern anthropological study. Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan came from a dream. In May 2023, John Darnielle took to his phone in the middle of the night to document a title from somewhere in his subconscious. Because this is the Mountain Goats—a band known for avoiding the easy route, always challenging themselves to push a step beyond—Darnielle not only decided to complete this mysterious project but also to deliver it as a full-on musical that stands as the most conceptually detailed and musically elaborate project in the band’s ever-expanding catalog. “I loved musicals when I was a kid,” Darnielle explains, “but I hadn’t really indulged in them that much until the last 7 years or so. And then we did Jenny From Thebes, which I called a ‘fake musical’ a lot… But this one actually is going for it.” Produced by the Mountain Goats’ multi-instrumentalist Matt Douglas, who also co-wrote several songs, the record is embracing, inviting, and overflowing with melody and orchestration that extends far beyond the boundaries of their past work. “My approach is more arrangement-based,” Douglas says of his role. “I’m trying to sculpt the shape of the songs with the layering of instruments that are suiting the song best… I am sometimes a bit of a maximalist with that stuff. Sometimes more is more!” Working at Dreamland Recording Studios in Hudson, New York, the Mountain Goats have crafted a record that matches the emotional vulnerability of their previous career peaks while filling up a larger space than ever. This may be like a bleak story to tell, a common thread of Mountain Goats concept albums.
CHICAGO FARMER & The Fieldnotes
This is a 18+ event with standing room only| 17 under with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) The son of a small-town farming community, Cody Diekhoff logged plenty of highway and stage time under the name Chicago Farmer before settling in the city in 2003. Profoundly inspired by fellow Midwesterner John Prine, he’s a working-class folk musician to his core. His small-town roots, tilled with city streets mentality, are turning heads North and South of I-80. “I love the energy, music, and creativity of Chicago, but at the same time, the roots and hard work of my small town,” he shares. Growing up in Delavan, Illinois, with a population less than 2,000, Diekhoff’s grandparents were farmers, and their values have always provided the baseline of his songs. He writes music for “the kind of people that come to my shows. Whether in Chicago or Delavan, everyone has a story, and everyone puts in a long day and works hard the same way,” he says. “My generation may have been labeled as slackers, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t work hard – many people I know put in 50-60 hours a week and 12-hour days. That’s what keeps me playing. I don’t like anyone to be left out; my music is for everyone in big and very small towns.” He listened to punk rock and grunge as a kid before discovering a friend’s dad playing Hank Williams, and it was a revelation. Prine and Guthrie quickly followed. The name Chicago Farmer was originally for a band, but the utilitarian life of driving alone from bar to bar, city to city – to make a direct connection to his audience and listener, took a deeper hold.
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) After fifteen years, eight albums, innumerable sold out shows, and countless libations, Americana mavericks Horseshoes & Hand Grenades appropriately consider themselves a “family” on a wild, wonderful, and often whacky roller coaster. The bond between the quintet— Adam Greuel [guitar, vocals], David C. Lynch [harmonica, accordion, vocals], Collin Mettelka [fiddle, vocals], Russell Pedersen [banjo, vocals], and Samual Odin [bass, vocals]— fuels their creativity and chemistry on stage and in the studio. To celebrate fifteen years of making music together, the band released their 8th studio album “Living Room” in January of 2026. Their very first album was recorded in the living room of their college house in Stevens Point. They used a Peavey mixing board that gave them splinters and an old Boss digital recorder. They pieced together equipment, hung some quilts on the windows, and did what came naturally in the Nut House—had a good time. For their new album, they decided to go back into the living room and record at Adam’s house in the hill country of Wisconsin. The record again features tracks written by each member, and that good ol’ fun loving energy that fans have come to know and love! That’s been the case since these five musicians first met in Stevens Point, WI at college, joined forces, and hit the road harder post-graduation in roughly 2013. They have ignited stages alongside everyone from Billy Strings, Greensky Bluegrass, Trampled By Turtles, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Railroad Earth, to Merle Haggard and Marty Stuart in addition to appearances at festivals and venues such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Delfest, High Sierra Music Festival, Blue Ox Music Festival, Red Rocks Amphitheater and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Their eight albums— Pigtails & Coffin Nails [2011], Another Round [2012], This Old Town [2013], Middle Western [2015], The Ode (2018), Miles in Blue (2020), For Old Time’s Sake (2022), and Living Room (2026) take the listener through a wide range of musical and emotional landscapes, something surely provoked by the five different members all sharing songwriting duties. Their most recent album, “Living Room” is a 13-track album that celebrates their nearly 15 years together as a band, while nodding to the musical roots that have laid the foundation of the band. Greuel says, “Man, we just love making music together. It’s always a fulfilling and interesting process watching one another come up with the parts that make up our sound. We really do our best to honor one another’s musical curiosities, and it feels like that’s what makes us sound uniquely “us”. It’s also just a joy to be able to be yourself, and that’s been something we’ve always tried to keep at the forefront of this band.”
mekons
This is an 18+ seated event | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Sonic adventurers, punk rock fundamentalists, exuberant luddites, willing outcasts. “The mekons are the most revolutionary group in the history of rock ‘n’ roll” – wrote rock critic Lester BangsThe genre-defying mekons formed in Leeds, England in 1977. Born from the emerging British punk scene, they progressed from art students with no musical skills to the prolific, raucous progeny of Hank Williams. This current classic line-up has remained intact since the mid-1980s, continuing to regularly tour and release new music through to now. Theirs is an improbable history – a surprising and influential embrace of folk and country music with occasional forays into the art world. They have always worked collaboratively and collectively with all work credited to the band, never to individuals. Their mind-boggling output consistently blurs the lines between high art and low and has included exhibitions in the UK and US, a deranged pirate musical recorded and staged with Kathy Acker, an art performance with Vito Acconci, and several books including the unique art catalog/unfinished novel Mekons United. “Revenge of the mekons”, a documentary about the band received nationwide release in 2015 on Music Box Films. The mekons continue to make bold, unpredictable music while staying true to the punk ethos. Their mind-boggling output consistently blurs the lines between high art and low and they remain one of the truly great live bands. The band released their latest album “Horror” on Fire Records in early 2025. A dub album of Horror remixed by Grammy nominee Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu) will be released on Fire Records in the summer of 2026.
S.A.D.R. – SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER RELIEF with: Overly Polite Tornadoes, Vida Eterna, Discus, Blood At Ease
This is a 18+ event with standing room only| 17 under with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) S.A.D.R. (an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder Relief) is coming to Bell’s Brewery in February. Come join us for a night of live music and community to lift your spirits from the darkness and fenderbergs of our Michigan Winter. There is often less live music happening this time of year, and this show is meant to fill that void for people in need. OVERLY POLITE TORNADOES are a veteran Kalamazoo-based duo formed by multi-instrumentalists who also play in the local and beloved dream-pop/shoegaze band Tambourina. They write tightly constructed songs that pull from shoegaze, post-punk, and early indie rock, using guitar loops, analog textures, live drums and tender harmonies to build intensity without clutter. Their music carries a quiet confidence, pairing clarity and distortion in a way that feels deliberate, ecstatic, and deeply human.BLOOD AT EASE is the project of songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Bailey Miller. With friends and family hailing from the Great Lakes region, Miller presents a unique style of folk-song that alternates “between gently plucked melodies and raucous explosions of sound.”DISCUS are a breezy Indie rock band from Chicago, IL. What started as two brothers writing songs in their childhood basement has bloomed into an artful and melodic five piece ensemble. Sure to please fans of The Radio Dept, Broadcast, Earlimart, or The American Analog Set.VIDA ETERNA is comprised of Kalamazoo’s own April & Adam Zimont (Tambourina), Matthew Willsea (Cardboard Highway, Create Clean Slate) and Lachlan Roderick Wallace MacQuarrie. Together they dazzle with their unique blend of ethereal dreampop, hypnotic textures, and shoegaze leanings.
Desmond Jones wsgs. Mighty Big Rig
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Desmond Jones is an award-winning Michigan-raised jam band with good songs, deft riffs and adventurous jams! Think Zappa meets Weird Al in the middle of a type 2 jam and has a Ween baby. Nine hundred shows in 12 years has made the band tighter than ever, and with 100 original songs under their belt, every set is a unique and fresh surprise for both longtime fans and new listeners Mighty Big Rig is a five-piece rock band from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Blending rich grooves with intricate instrumentation, MBR has forged their own sound comprising of hard rock and psychedelia with three-part vocal harmonies. Since their founding in late 2018, MBR has self-produced two EPs, two studio albums, and one live album.
STARFARM
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) “Are you ready to party like it’s 1985?” Do you want your MTV the way you used to crave a giant bowl of sugary Pac-Man cereal on Saturday morning? Do you find yourself glued to VH1’s “I Love The ’80s” reruns just to catch those neon-drenched music videos one…more…time? Well, stop sitting on the couch and start moonwalking to the dance floor – because Starfarm is here to crank your time machine (DeLorean-style, of course) back to the raddest decade ever – the ‘80s! That’s right, Starfarm brings you the most “Totally Awesome” collection of ‘80s hits this side of your old Trapper Keeper. From fist-pumping arena rock anthems to hairbrush power ballads, every song is a blast of nostalgia straight from the decade of pegged jeans, mullets and Aqua Net clouds so thick they’re probably still hovering over your hometown mall. But wait – there’s more! Starfarm doesn’t just play the ‘80s, they bring the whole decade to life: o Adidas track suits (cardboard breakdance floor included!)o Legwarmers brighter than your cousin’s slap braceletso Aviators so cool, Tom Cruise called to borrow themo A sound and light show guaranteed to fry your Rubik’s Cube So, dust off those parachute pants, tease that hair sky-high, shine up those Reeboks and get ready to dance ‘til your Swatch watch says it’s way past curfew – Starfarm is here to make the ‘80s totally awesome – again and again!
Ghost Bunnies EP Release Party wsgs. The Wild Life, Chromatic Static, Red Arrow Highway,
This is a 18+ event with standing room only | 17 under with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Founded in 2011 Kalamazoo, MI. We all love good indie pop gems and Ghost Bunnies have them in spades! The music coming from these four lads is catchy with endless amount of hooks that could be created out of thin air. Spanning multiple genres, Ghost Bunnies will reel you in with soft thoughtful ballads, and leave your head spinning with hard rocking hits. The band’s lineup consists of multi-instrumentalist and primary songwriter Justin Schoenfelder who plays bass/ lead vocal, Anthony “fundip” Guimond is on the drums while Lindy Thompson lays out lead guitar. Nate Hartmann is the heart of the group on keys and backing vocals. There’s this innocence to their music when combined with a heaviness and ample talent that creates a very attractive style.
The Red Sea Pedestrians wsgs. The Corn Fed Girls
This is a 18+ event with standing room only | Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) The Red Sea Pedestrians are a one-of-a-kind, full-blown, instrument-swapping fusion between tradition and the here-and-now. We’re talkin’ high-energy world-beat grooves, hypnotic laments from the earth, songs of celebration and wonder, all filtered through the band’s original vision. RSP is a melting pot of six distinct singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, exploring a warped and beautiful blend of Rock, Klezmer, and American Roots music. One part salty breakup, two parts bear hug. The Corn Fed Girls are original acoustic Americana from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their sound is earthy and innovative, traditional instrumentation with lush vocal harmonies and a folky aesthetic. Members have played in many of the region’s favorite bands over the years including Knee Deep Shag, Daddy Long Legs, Red Sea Pedestrians, Doxie, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Sundog and others.The Corn Fed Girls are a favorite on the Michigan folk festival circuit.
NateWantsToBattle – ‘Phantom Burial Tour’ w/ Special Guests Cam Steady & GENWUNNER
This is a 18+ event with standing room only| 17 under with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Nathan Sharp is a Korean American singer, songwriter, voice actor and composer with a professional bio. In 2017, he co-founded independent record label Give Heart Records. Under the moniker NateWantsToBattle, he’s created over 300 songs which is probably more than any artist should ever do, yet here we are. He has sung official songs for franchises such as Dragon Ball Super, Beyblade Burst Turbo, Sonic the Hedgehog and Pokémon and has voiced characters like Craig in Dream Daddy, Marcel in Attack on Titan and Damien in Monster Prom. He’s often tired and is the co-founder of fantasy-inspired clothing line, Cantrip. Bottom text. Cam Steady is a nerdcore rapper and multi-genre recording artist from Los Angeles, California. Known for high energy music that fuses hip-hop, EDM, and heavy metal, his unique style quickly resonated with online audiences. His songs “MEWTWO”, “CHAOS CONTROL”, and “SPIDER-PHONK”, established Steady as a force to be reckoned with in the rising L.A. indie rap scene and lead him to collaborate with major video game brands like Genshin Impact. Cam Steady has headlined performances at sold out events like Nerdcore Party Con, MAGFest, Anime Expo, Momocon, and more. Steady’s live concert success lead him to form the Nerdcore tour group “Anime Rap Takeover”, where Cam Steady headlines alongside nerdcore artists like Rustage, NerdOut, GameboyJones, Chi-Chi, and more, to bring the live anime rap music experience to fans all over the world. VIP Package Includes: One (1) GA Ticket Merch bundle Pre show panel Group photo Early listen to unreleased music
