Sat 6/8-Sun 6/9 @ 11AM-11PM
The LaureLive music festival, now in its fourth year, returns to Laurel School’s Butler campus for the last time — not because it’s going away but because the promoters say they need a larger venue tba.
Unlike last year’s ill-fated, scattershot InCuya festival, which quickly announced it wouldn’t return, LaureLive’s lineup is diverse but coherent. Although the headliners — newcomer and fast-rising Irish star Hozier on Saturday, established singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow on Sunday — are separated by a generation (he’s 29, she’s 57) and 20 years between their breakout into stardom, they’re linked by a sensibility that suggests fans of one would enjoy the other. Similarly, the 28 other acts on the bill have solid musical credentials and fresh outlooks, whether they’re purely indie rockers such as charming, ebullient New York popsters Misterwives or someone like Trombone Short, steeped in New Orleans jazz/second-line traditions or Mexican classical/flamenco guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. All appeal to passionate, open-minded music lovers of all ages.
Among the highlights are several northeast Ohio acts on the bill: Cleveland soul/jazz/pop vocalist/keyboard player Ashley Fulton, who’s just turned 18; Akron old-school country honky-tonk ensemble the Shootouts; and Youngstown’s bluesy rockers Vindys, distinguished by vocalist Jackie Popovec’s intensely soulful vocals that suggest years of listening to Aretha and Tina.
LaureLive also offers local food, a kids’ village and workshops, making it an experience that’s more than just a music festival. Single-day tickets start at $95, with kids tickets (3-10) $30.