Who to catch at this year’s Mo Pop
Detroit’s own Mo Pop music festival is celebrating its fifth year running. This year’s line up features 22 different artists performing between two different stages on Detroit’s waterfront on July 28th and 29th. This summer, they’ve packed more of a punch than ever.
The festival features live music, lots of local food and drink, an arcade, as well as featured art. This year, attendees will be excited to learn that the set times hardly overlap, allowing fans to make the most of their time there.
Tickets are still available for purchase here.
Here are contributor Kyle Smutzki’s top picks of who to catch between both dates of the festival!
Saturday
S.CAREY – 2:50 – Grande Stage
The group S.Carey has managed to create the perfect soundtrack that transports you to a place of relaxation – especially after a long day.
Shortly – 2:15 – River Stage
Detroit’s own Shortly has been an absolute highlight in Michigan’s music scene. Her tranquility manages to create the perfect blend of instrumental and vocal that makes her sound truly unique. The result is a sound that is undeniably one of a kind.
ALVVAYS – 6:50 – River Stage
A band that is a perfect combination of cheery indie pop, fuzzy guitars and super sweet melodies that seem almost impossible to get out of your head. A “must see” for anyone attending this date of the festival.
Vince Staples – 8:50 – River Stage
There’s the contrast in being an ‘entertainer’ and a ‘pure-artist’ in modern hip-hop and Vince has found a way to master both categories with his 2017 release Big Fish Theory.
Bon Iver – 10:05 – Grande Stage
The headliner of day one of MO POP isn’t just handed out, Bon Iver is easily one of the most anticipated sets this year. He infuses folk with a little bit of R&B and stirs it up with a voice of an angel.
Sunday
Empty Houses – 1:30 – River Stage
The Detroit hometown heroes; Empty Houses will be opening day two; infusing indie-pop and glowing harmonies. I personally am looking very forward to catch these guys performing for my first time.
Turnover – 5:05 – River Stage
A band that took off with their 2015 album Peripheral Vision has only been flying higher with their 2017 album Good Nature. Turnover is no stranger to the Detroit area; if you are not familiar with Turnover yet, you need to catch this set.
Brockhampton – 6:45 – River stage
With the self-given title of “world’s greatest boy band” on media profiles, Brockhampton’s sense of style unquestionably peeks interest. I have a feeling that after this weekend they will be the group that I walked into not knowing about and leaving a fan of.
St. Vincent – 8:50 – River Stage
Emotionalism and lovely pop melodies (often with that 80’s vibe) make a perfect soundtrack for your “feel good summer day” playlist. St. Vincent is by far another “must-see” artist for the day.
The National – 10:05 – Grande Stage
The National will be the last band performing at this year’s MO POP festival and is worth sticking around for. A band highly noted for frontman Matt Berninger’s baritone vocals with ever-flowing instrumentals, they’ve seemed to make an entire catalog full of to hits they are sure to send the fest with a high note.