Get up, get down and lose your mind at Detour's Rock City. This massive display of 50-plus local and national rock bands kicks off Thursday night with performances at the Magic Stick, Majestic Theatre, Garden Bowl and the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit. The fun runs through Saturday.
The Royal Oak-based entertainment webzine Detour is responsible for this rock 'n' roll shindig, which mirrors a launch party the mag threw in September. This time, it's on a slightly larger scale.
How does one music fan soak up so much rock in a weekend? It won't be easy, so I've assembled a list of the must-sees.
THURSDAY
The Hard Lessons: Warning: Listening to the Hard Lessons may cause you to dance, sing and dance some more.
Thunderbirds Are Now!: This indie rock outfit is hitting the gas after a much needed break from touring and generating big media buzz with the likes of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
FRIDAY
Terrible Twos: This is dirty punk rock for dancing fools.
The Von Bondies: The darlings of the downtown scene are back to play their first hometown show in four years. The EP "We are Kamikazes" was released earlier this year, and the group's third studio effort, "Love, Hate and then There's You," is on the horizon.
SATURDAY
Great Lakes Myth Society: A local fave with the art rock crowd, this Ann Arbor group does indie pop music with a touch of class.
The Silent Years: A laid-back sonic journey through layers of sound from another Blowout fave. Listen carefully for the kazoo, one of many instruments that make up this group's eclectic sound.
The Nice Device: I love this band. It's danceable and gritty, with enough hooks to satisfy a fisherman.
Sloan: If you make it to the end of the Rock City fest, you'll want to see this Canadian outfit. The group is celebrating the June 10 release of its ninth studio album, "Parallel Play."
Admission is $20 for a day pass or $30 for a weekend pass. For more: www.detour-mag.com/rockcity.
RACHEL MAY is a member of local bands Broadzilla and Novadriver. Send music news to her at rmay@freepress.com.
