Holly Near has been singing for a more equitable world for well over 40 creative years. An insightful story teller and skilled performer, Holly is an outspoken ambassador for peace who brings to the stage a unique integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality.
A songwriter, actor, vocalist, and theatre educator, with supreme soul. Unpredictable, yet fluid, and freely authentic. Blake creates experiences that reawaken our strong bonds to the earth and humanity.
Whether playing acoustic, mandolin, national steel, or screaming electric guitar, Davy Knowles has an unmistakable style. Since bursting on to the scene with his band Back Door Slam’s critically acclaimed album ‘Roll Away’ in 2007 (“I heard the spirit of Jimi Hendrix” Patrick McDonald - Seattle Times), Davy’s star has only risen. His sophomore release ‘Coming Up For Air’ was produced by the legendary Peter Frampton (“Davy already has a recognizable style. He’s definitely the gunslinger guitarist of the 21st century,’’- Peter Frampton).
Opener: Jackamo
The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesMark Jewett is an insightful Michigan native storyteller who writes songs that push the boundaries of Americana into an uncommon blend of folk, rock, blues, and prog rock. In them, listeners will hear and feel honesty, gratitude, and thoughtful introspection, with doses of humor and drama to vary the pace. His songs betray the effort he makes to find just the right words, taking cues from the likes of Randy Newman, John Prine, and Nick Lowe.
Taj Mahal doesn't wait for permission. If a sound intrigues him, he sets out to make it. If origins mystify him, he moves to trace them. If rules get in his way, he unapologetically breaks them. To Taj, convention means nothing, but traditions are holy. He has pushed music and culture forward, all while looking lovingly back.
Howie Day’s emotionally resonant lyrics and inventive melodies have earned him both critical praise and a legion of devoted fans. He is known for his energetic, heartfelt shows, where he connects with audiences through the strength of his songwriting and his quirky sense of humor. Day’s warm tenor voice “soars into fluttering, high registers, but also grates with real, pleading grit,” as one critic put it.
The James Hunter Six returns with their first album on Easy Eye Sound, delivering another dose of timeless rhythm & soul. British singer, songwriter and GRAMMY-nominated James Hunter has been a legendary fixture in the scene for over three decades with his gritty voice and sharp songwriting earning him acclaim around the world. This new record features a rare duet with longtime collaborator Van Morrison (‘Ain’t That A Trip’), marking a full-circle moment for the artist hailed by MOJO magazine as “The United Kingdom’s Greatest Soul Singer.”
Those familiar with Lucy Wainwright Roche are aware of her bell tone voice, her unshakable melodies, and her knack for wise, wry lyrics that clench the heart. It’s no surprise that Wainwright Roche is the daughter of Suzzy Roche (The Roches) and Loudon Wainwright III, and half sibling to Rufus and Martha Wainwright. She grew up on the road, steeped in music.
David Cook (and yes, the same David Cook who launched into stardom following his American Idol Season Seven win – breaking several Billboard chart records when 14 of his songs debuted on the Hot Digital Songs chart and 11 of his songs debuted on the Hot 100) certainly knows his way around a good song. His first album, “Analog Heart,” came out pre-Idol, and his last album, “Digital Vein,” nicely bookended that chapter of Cook's career, a chapter during which he sold more than two million albums (including his platinum-certified eponymous album) and, collectively, more than five million tracks (including two platinum-certified singles) worldwide.
Dubbed by Rolling Stone as "a genre unto herself," Brooklyn, NY-based Kaki King has proven to be just that. Her career has taken her all over the world, sharing stages with Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, contributing music to award-winning films (Sean Penn's Into The Wild), and performing at the London Jazz Festival and the Paris Les Femmes s'en Melent. Her explorations into the guitar and multimedia have led to the creation of groundbreaking work such as The Neck Is A Bridge To The Body, Modern Yesterdays, and a new multi-media musical production for children called BUGS.
Men At Work were born in Melbourne, Australia in the middle of 1979. Colin Hay has developed a solo career over the last 35 years, writing, recording, and touring extensively throughout the world as a solo artist. He is presently part of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band. Since 2019, he has also toured and played under the Men At Work banner with his LA based group of musicians, where he plays an exclusively Men At Work set, including all the hits and dearly loved songs which clearly have stood the test of time.
With a blend of dreamy acoustic duets, foot-stomping folk and bluesy murder ballads, New Zealand-formed and Nashville-based South for Winter’s sound is as eclectic as their origins. The act is composed of New Zealander Nick Stone and Coloradan Dani Cichon, and together the two multi-instrumentalists and songwriters combine ethereal harmonies, poetic lyricism, percussive finger-style guitar, bluesy resonator, suitcase stomp, and driving mandolin into a genre-bending sound described by American Songwriter as “impeccable”.