Fri 7/31 @ 6PM
Sat 8/1 @ 11AM-6PM
Sat 8/1 @ 7PM
Akron-based Earthquaker Devices, which manufactures guitar sound processing pedals, began as a hobby for Jamie Stillman while he was working for Akron’s Black Keys. It became a full-fledged business in 2007 with a facility near downtown Akron. Bog big-name artists and amateurs all over the world now use the equipment they make.
Ten years ago, the business launched its signature festival EarthQuaker Day, to draw attention to its business and give the northeast Ohio music scene something to celebrate. Starting small with a few events, it’s grown into a day of live music, clinics, tours of the EarthQuaker facility, food trucks, a vendor market place and a huge gear raffle. This year’s event, in partnership with Cave & Canary Guitars and Reverend Guitars with take place again a EarthQuaker’s Akron headquarters on West Bowery Street. Its first event attracted 500 people and it’s grown from there.
This year’s festival will be like dying and going to heaven for gearhead musicians, with big industry vendors such as Seymour Duncan, Audio Technica, and PRS Guitars; other fellow boutique builders from around the world like Keeley Electronics, Thirdman Hardware, Cosmodio Instruments, and KGR Harmony and local businesses such as Akron Recording Company and Killer Video.
There will be pedal clinics hosted by Spencer Audio, Voltic Electronic Devices, and musician/comedian Dave Hill, and a Q&A session with Sunn O))) guitarist Greg Anderson and Jamie Stillman. Los Angeles-based artist Kaycie Satterfield and Northeast Ohio’s Anya Van Rose will close the day with performances, followed by a party at nearby music venue Musica before the festivities move over to Musica with free music by Arms & Armour, Hell Is Here, and New York City’s A Place to Bury Strangers.
There’s a pre-event as well, called EarthQuaker’s Eve with a performance of Kala Chandra: For Sustained Guitars and Amplification, performed by Greg Anderson, Geoffrey Crowe, Jamie Stillman, Bradley Thorla and Ramin Youssefi, taking place at 526 Grant Street at 6pm. Then Supercorrupter, and †The Lord† (Greg Anderson) & Lisa Bella Donna will perform at Musica at 7pm
Attendees who bring a new, unused hygiene item to donate to Friends in Tents (an Akron-based 501(c)(3) non-profit providing immediate support to lower-income families in Summit County) can spin the EarthQuaker Devices “Discount Wheel” at registration. Check out friendsintents.com/donations for a full list of needed toiletries.
All EarthQuaker Day 2026 events are free and open to the public. Get a full schedule at earthquakerday.com.