The Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing Michigan was a music festival haven for individuals of eclectic music tastes. Varying from The Orwells to Dr. Dog, the Common Ground Music Festival consisted of the following artists on Saturday July 12th 2014:
The People’s Temple
Chappo
Royal Teeth
X Ambassadors
Empires
The Orwells
Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr
Action Item
Ryan Beatty
Jukebox the Ghost
Dr. Dog
Fitz and The Tantrums
Growing up in the Chicago suburb next to the home of the members of The Orwells, I have always had an indescribable love for their music. However, after viewing the lead singer Mario Cuomo unsuccessfully attempt to make himself throw up near the end of their set, I can now say that my love for The Orwells’ music and undeniable talent still remains but my love for Mario Cuomo has diminished. Walking off the stage without bothering to say a word to the audience, it was refreshing to see Dr. Dog and Fitz and The Tantrums after The Orwells’ set.
Being surprisingly deserted for a music festival, Dr. Dog’s show was light on people in attendance, which was a bonus for my mission on getting to the front for (in my humble opinion) one of the greatest bands currently on tour. As always, Dr. Dog failed to disappoint with their ebullient and placating aesthetic.
Fitz and The Tantrums stole the night with their exceptional set and endless gratitude towards the audience. Delighting the audience with a lengthy saxophone solo half way through their set, Fitz and The Tantrums’ compelling stage presence and talent left no audience member standing still as everyone was found grooving and moving to the rhythm of tambourine that singer Noelle Scaggs was effortlessly playing. Closing the night with Moneygrabber, Fitz and The Tantrum’s last show of that leg of their tour, as well as the night could not have been a bigger success. Encouraging the entire audience to get low in Moneygrabber, Fitz and The Tantrum’s set at The Common Ground Music Festival made the multi-hour car ride trip from Chicago to Lansing completely worth it.
Grace Farley (PlaylistHQ Intern)
PlaylistHQ 