Suffolk’s LAVA Festival has now finalized their line-up for this coming Memorial Day weekend with the addition of two heavyweight acts, each occ
Suffolk’s LAVA Festival has now finalized their line-up for this coming Memorial Day weekend with the addition of two heavyweight acts, each occupying their own interesting, and unique, section of the musical spectrum.
Seattle indie rock band Minus The Bear and Oregon rock band Blitzen Trapper have both officially been added to the two-day festival’s already impressive line-up. Announced for that lineup already are twelve outstanding acts including national stars like soul singer Charles Bradley, indie darlings JR JR, and post rockers Foxing as well as local favorites such as No BS! Brass, Matthew E. White, and Lucy Dacus. It will be the second year for LAVA Festival after a blow-away debut last year at the Suffolk Executive Airport and with the addition of these two bands as well as the extra day this year and other planned festivities, it’s looking more and more that the folks behind LAVA are planning to completely shatter everyone’s hopes and expectations.
Occupying the space for those interested in Americana, Blitzen Trapper aims to fill out the diverse selection of acts with their taste of folk and country fusion that has made them favorites of the festival circuit for well over a decade now. The quintet have been critical favorites since bursting on the scene with their 2003 debut self-titled record, thanks in large part to the intriguing and vast songwriting skills of frontman Eric Earley. Richmond last got a taste of the group this past September when they headed up the Good Beer Festival and we at RVA Magazine actually caught up with Earley around that time for an interesting conversation about their life as a nomadic touring band.
For the peculiar rock enthusiast, Minus The Bear brings their signature amalgamation of math rock, prog rock, and experimental rock to LAVA in what’s expected to be one of the wilder sets of this year’s festival. Since the early 2000s, this “underground supergroup” has been wowing the musical world with a constantly evolving and sprawling sound that continues to challenge their own artistic ability as well as the notion that you can’t do it all. Richmond’s played host to plenty of their shows over the year, with the last one at The National in October of 2013 being particularly noteworthy for the unbelievable display of energy and musicality.
If you weren’t pumped for LAVA Fest already, now is truly the time as virtually every style of music will be on full display, most being done so by the premier acts in the field. Tickets are still available for both days (as well as camping accommodations) and don’t wait until the last minute to snatch up tickets. Looking at their deep line-up, the list of planned attractions, and their growing reputation, you might not have a chance to procrastinate in making plans for this Memorial Day weekend.
LAVA Fest takes place Friday, May 27th & Saturday, May 28th at the Suffolk Executive Airport in Suffolk, VA. For more information on ticket prices and purchasing locations, click here to go to their website.
