THE LEMONHEADS: LOVE CHANT WORLD TOUR
18+ Standing Room Only Show 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian The Lemonheads return in 2025 with Love Chant (out via Fire Records, October 24th), their firststudio album in nearly two decades – a bold, melodic reaffirmation of Evan Dando’s singularsongwriting voice. Written across continents and recorded primarily in São Paulo, Brazil, whereDando now resides, Love Chant finds the frontman reconnecting with longtime collaboratorswhile introducing new creative voices. It’s a record of fresh starts and familiar sounds -emotionally raw, melodically rich, and unmistakably Lemonheads. The new album features contributions from J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Juliana Hatfield, Tom Morgan,Bryce Goggin, Erin Rae, and Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. It’s a diverse but coherent work -from the full-throttle hooks of “Deep End” to the spectral softness of “The Key Of Victory,” andthe Modern Lovers-like drive of the title track. Co-released alongside Dando’s forthcoming memoirRumours Of My Demise (via Faber, November 6th), Love Chant marks both a return and areckoning – the sound of an artist who’s lived, lost, and located the thread once again. Formed in Boston in 1986, The Lemonheads have long thrived on that intersection between chaosand charm. With a revolving cast built around Dando’s melodic instincts and ragged charisma,their early punk roots were forged across three scrappy albums on local label Taang! beforesigning to Atlantic Records and releasing 1990’s Lovey. It was on tour for that record in Australiawhere Dando connected with Tom Morgan and future bandmate Nic Dalton – a meeting thatreshaped the band’s songwriting and sound. Their commercial breakthrough came with 1992’s It’s A Shame About Ray and 1993’s Come OnFeel The Lemonheads, both records that married punk energy with melodic pop, and establishedDando as one of alternative rock’s most compelling figures. National TV appearances followed,and so did the tabloid glare – by the late ’90s, the music sometimes took a backseat to Dando’sunpredictable, chaotic public persona. He disbanded The Lemonheads in 1997 following aturbulent performance at Reading Festival. In 2003, he released his acclaimed solo album Baby I’m Bored – quieter and more introspective, ithinted at a new phase. But it wasn’t long before The Lemonheads were reborn. In 2006, a self-titled album marked a head-on collision of wordy ’70s punk and cosmic country, followed byVarshons (2009) and Varshons 2 (2019), two mixtape-like collections of cover versions thatspanned Townes Van Zandt to GG Allin, Leonard Cohen to The Bevis Frond – always with thesame emotional clarity and melodic magnetism that defines Dando’s output. Over the years, The Lemonheads’ shape has shifted – Descendents, Dinosaur Jr, Blake Babies andmembers of Fuzzy have all passed through the ranks – but at its core has always been Dando’ssongwriting: wry, vulnerable, catchy, and true. With Love Chant, that core burns brightly oncemore. Recent years have only deepened the band’s influence. Artists like Courtney Barnett,Waxahatchee, Phoebe Bridgers and MJ Lenderman cite The Lemonheads as touchstones,covering their songs and praising their emotional candor and melodic economy.
WHITNEY
18+ Standing Room Only Show 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Whitney is a folk rock/Americana band from Chicago, formed in 2015 by guitarist Max Kakacek and drummer/vocalist Julien Ehrlich following the breakup of their previous band, Smith Westerns . Their music blends elements of folk, soul, and country, characterized by Ehrlich’s falsetto vocals and a nostalgic, summery sound. The band’s debut album, Light Upon the Lake, released in June 2016, received critical acclaim for its warm tones and introspective lyrics. Their second album, Forever Turned Around (2019), continued their exploration of themes like love and friendship, further solidifying their place in the indie music scene. In 2020, they released Candid, an album of cover songs, showcasing their versatility and appreciation for diverse musical influences. In 2022, Whitney released Spark, marking a shift towards a more classic pop sound while retaining their signature emotional depth. The band continues to evolve, captivating audiences worldwide with their heartfelt performances and timeless melodies. Revered in their hometown of Chicago the Mayor of the city created a Whitney day to honour their contribution to the local music scene Whitney has many international tours under their belt, performing at festivals like Lollapalooza Music Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Coachella Music Festival. They’ve also completed tours across Australasia boasting performances at Australia’s iconic, Laneway Festival. In Europe and the UK, they’ve played Primavera Sound, Green Man Festival, Iceland Airwaves, etc.
G. Love & Special Sauce wsg Wayne Brooks, JR
This is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian G. Love & Special Sauce is an American Hip-Hop Blues band known for its unique fusion of hip-hop, blues, funk, and soul. Formed in 1993 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the band originally featured Garrett Dutton, aka G. Love, as the lead vocalist and guitarist, Jeffrey Clemens on drums, and Jim Prescott on bass. The trio quickly gained attention for their laid-back, groovy style and G. Love’s unique vocal delivery, blending rap-like spoken word with bluesy singing. Their debut self-titled album, G. Love & Special Sauce, was released in 1994 on Epic Records and included the hit single “Cold Beverage,” which became popular on alternative radio stations and MTV, solidifying their presence in the music scene. The band’s style has been described as a mix of “slacker blues” and “alternative hip-hop,” as they frequently incorporate elements of 90s hip-hop beats with classic blues rhythms. Over the years, G. Love & Special Sauce has released numerous albums, including Coast to Coast Motel (1995), Yeah, It’s That Easy (1997), The Electric Mile (2001) and the GRAMMY nominated The Juice (2020). Their sound evolved to include more soul, R&B, and rock influences, though they retained their laid-back vibe and clever lyrical play. Their 2014 album Sugar saw a reunion of the original lineup after several years, and they continued to tour and produce music with a loyal fan base. Known for their energetic live performances, G. Love & Special Sauce has played at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Garrett Dutton also frequently collaborates with other artists, including Jack Johnson, with whom he shares a similar vibe, and has released solo projects that dive deeper into his blues influences. G. Love & Special Sauce remains a beloved name in the music scene, blending genres in a way that feels fresh and authentic. G. Love is excited to offer the Pre-Show VIP option G. Love’s Pre-Show Pop Off is an ALL-REQUEST storytellers solo acoustic performance by G. Love and a one of a kind merch package. The pre-show pop off also includes early entry, a Q&A and photo opportunity with G. Love, and early access to the merch booth. Your VIP Pre-Show Pop off ticket includes a general admission ticket into the show. VIP Ticket Includes: An ALL-REQUEST storyteller acoustic performance by G. Love Q&A session with G. Love Photo with G. Love VIP Laminate Exclusive VIP Poster Early access to the merch booth *THIS VIP UPGRADE INCLUDES A TICKET TO THE SHOW. You must have a Pre-Show Pop Off ticket in order to redeem the VIP package elements and be let into the event. Tickets to the show must be presented at the time of entry to the Pre-Show Pop Off.
The Baseball Project Featuring members of R.E.M. and The Dream Syndicate with The Minus 5
2025 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesThis is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian The Baseball Project are 5 friends who are veterans of the Alternative / Indie Rock scene (and who in fact helped create it), starting in the early 80’s. The band features members of R.E.M., The Dream Syndicate, The Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows and Filthy Friends. These are just a FEW of the countless bands that Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon perform in. They come together in this “supergroup” to focus on the fascinating stories that baseball spawns – character studies of both the heroic and the oddball variety. You don’t need to be a student of the game to dig them though – often times baseball is just a jumping off point for deeper stories of triumph or failure….or hilarity – all while playing their infectious and rockin’ brand of power pop/ jangle folk / Indie Rock that they do so well! The Baseball Project formed in 2007 when all 5 band members were attending a party for R.E.M.’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Steve and Linda were there as guests of Peter Buck but were only passing acquaintances of Scott, who was a touring member of R.E.M. At some point in the very wee hours of the party, McCaughey and Wynn found themselves leaning against the same bar and struck up a raucous conversation that ricocheted from music talk to baseball. They both confessed a longstanding and hitherto unrequited desire to write and record an entire album of songs that would dig deeper into the game and the psyche of the more eccentric characters that have played it. Linda (drummer in Steve’s band, The Miracle 3) wandered past and heard the promises being made to “maybe one day try to do it”. Being a huge baseball fan herself, she threw down a challenge to the pair to finally do it. They immediately set about writing and sharing tracks long distance (Steve and Linda live in NYC and Scott is in Portland, OR). Within a few weeks the trio of baseball fanatics with killer record collections had booked studio time at Jackpot Studios in Portland. After a couple of short writing and acoustic rehearsal sessions in Scott’s living room (Linda played a peach crate), they commenced recording and in 4 short days completed the 13 tracks that would soon become their first release, “Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails”.
THE WALLFLOWERS with EARLY JAMES
2025 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesThis is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Rock ‘n’ roll is often hard to define, or even to find, in these fractured musical times. But to paraphrase an old saying, you know it when you hear it. And you always hear it with the Wallflowers. For the past 30 years, the Jakob Dylan-led act has stood as one of rock’s most dynamic and purposeful bands – a unit dedicated to and continually honing a sound that meshes timeless songwriting and storytelling with a hard-hitting and decidedly modern musical attack. That signature style has been present through the decades, baked into the grooves of smash hits like 1996’s Bringing Down the Horse as well as more recent and exploratory fare like 2012’s Glad All Over. Even so, in recent years, Dylan – the Wallflowers’ founding singer, songwriter and guitarist – has repeatedly stepped outside of his band, first with a pair of more acoustic and rootsy records, 2008’s Seeing Things and 2010’s Women + Country, and then with the 2018 film Echo in the Canyon and the accompanying soundtrack, which saw him collaborate with a host of artists classic and contemporary, from Neil Young and Eric Clapton to Beck and Fiona Apple. But while it’s been nine long years since we’ve heard from the group with whom he first made his mark, the Wallflowers are silent no more. And Dylan always knew they’d return. “The Wallflowers is much of my life’s work,” he says simply
Drive-By Truckers & Deer Tick ‘Charm & Decadence Tour’ w/ Thelma and the Sleaze
2025 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesThis is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Since their inception in 1996, Drive-By Truckers have carved out a unique niche in the music scene with their raw, unflinching storytelling, heavy-hitting guitar riffs, and blend of Alternative and Southern rock. Founded by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, Drive-By Truckers have released 14 studio albums and played more than 2,500 shows in the last three decades. Notable members include long-time drummer Brad Morgan and current members Jay Gonzalez and Matt Patton, who have helped define the band’s evolving sound. The band’s work has often reflected the state of American society, particularly through their celebrated trilogy of albums: American Band (ATO, 2016), The Unraveling (ATO, 2020), and The New OK (ATO, 2020). This series marked a bold foray into politically charged and topical songwriting, earning acclaim for its insightful commentary and fearless expression. Emotional Contracts, the latest full-length album from Deer Tick, catalogs all the existential casualties that accompany the passing of time, instilling each song with the irresistibly reckless spirit that’s defined the band for nearly two decades. Before heading into the studio with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Spoon, Sleater-Kinney), the Providence-bred four-piece spent months working on demos in a perpetually flooded warehouse space in their hometown, enduring the busted heating system and massive holes in the roof as they carved out the album’s 10 raggedly eloquent tracks. Emotional Contracts fully echoes the unruly energy of its creation, ultimately making for a heavy-hearted yet wildly life-affirming portrait of growing older without losing heart.
Future Islands with Open Mike Eagle
2025 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesThis is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian If Future Islands’ songs once seemed like invitations to witness scenes from someone else’s life, People Who Aren’t There Anymore presents the whole absorbing saga, transmuting hurt to hope in the triumph of this band’s career. Here is excitement, devastation, understanding, and the dawn’s rays of redemption in 44 minutes—a record that, at last, commits the full rapture of Future Islands to tape. From their start, Future Islands have been singular and instantly identifiable. Samuel T. Herring’s life-worn croons and cries backlit by Gerrit Welmers’ melodies and charged by the rhythms of William Cashion and Michael Lowry. That premise hasn’t changed on People Who Aren’t There Anymore, but the people have. There’s a pain and a joy that’s in Herring’s voice that’s only been rivaled by their legendary live performances, but never captured in their studio albums, that feels like it’s been untethered for the first time. Future Islands have played nearly 1,500 shows – shows that have bruised bodies, frayed vocal cords, provided escapes for audiences, and healed their messengers. People Who Aren’t There Anymore is a major work from a band at an inflection point: they’re discovering new ways to experience the world, because the old ways weren’t working. That freedom has led to the most fully realized, most transparently honest statement in their 17 years as a band. People Who Aren’t There Anymore VIP Experience• One (1) General Admission ticket• Invitation to an exclusive pre-show experience with Future Islands, including:• Access to the last 2-3 songs of the band’s soundcheck• Q&A Session with the band• One (1) VIP exclusive 7″ with previously unreleased music, signed by the band• One (1) commemorative VIP laminate• Merchandise shopping prior to doors opening to the public• Priority entry into the venue
Katy Needs A Life + Hollywood Makeout + Yellowhouse
18+ Standing Room Only Show 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Katy Needs A Life is an electronic, sad-pop band from Kalamazoo, MI that’s been bringing down parties in one form or another for over a decade. Hollywood Makeout are the Grand Rapids visionary surfpop band led by Erin Lenau. Yellowhouse are the winners of Kalamazoo’s 2024 Battle of the Bands round at Bell’s
Emo Night LIVE w/ All American Throwbacks – SOLD OUT
18+ Standing Room Only Show 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian ••All American Throwbacks•• will be performing your favorite pop punk and emo throwback hits from all the scene bands such as Fall Out Boy / Blink-182 / Panic! @ The Disco / Sum 41 / Good Charlotte / All Time Low / Taking Back Sunday / My Chemical Romance / AFI / The Used / Metro Station / Falling in Reverse / Pierce The Veil / 3OH!3 / & SO MANY MORE! If it’s a song you cried to in middle school, we probably play it (; Don’t identify as an emo kid? That’s fine! We play tons of hits that you’ll be sure to know. We’ll have you cryin’ in da club to Mr. Brightside, or dancing to a few surprises. Come party! This band is more than just a show – it’s a full on party! With complete crowd interaction & non-stop banger after banger, they’ll have you singing along, dancing, and party song after song all night long. Emo attire is highly encouraged! Wear your emo best & let’s prove it was NEVER A PHASE </3
The Arcadian Wild wsg River & Rail
This is a 18 and over event with standing room only. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian The Arcadian Wild is a four-piece indie folk/pop group from Nashville, TN. Led by songwriters Isaac Horn and Lincoln Mick and Bailey Warren on fiddle, The Arcadian Wild confidently inhabits and explores an intersection of genre, blending the traditional with the contemporary. Combining elements of progressive bluegrass, folk, and formal vocal music, The Arcadian Wild offer up songs of invitation; calls to come and see, to find refuge and rest, to journey and wonder, to laugh and cry, to share joy and community and singalong. The band’s 2023 album Welcome marks the start of a captivating new chapter for the genre-bending trio, who returned to the studio with renewed purpose and insight after devoting the last few years to a series of critically acclaimed singles and EPs. Like much of the band’s catalog, the album blurs the lines between chamber folk and progressive bluegrass, drawing on everything from country and classical to pop and choral music with lush harmonies and dazzling fretwork, but this time around there’s a rawness to the writing, an embrace of candor and simplicity that cuts straight to the heart of things like never before. The result is perhaps the most arresting collection yet from a band known for its ability to stop listeners dead in their tracks, an exquisitely beautiful celebration of community, connection, and the power of belonging that feels tailor-made for these challenging times.
