Friday, May 15

We’re easing into the weekend with the smooth, lush grooves of Bakkwooddrift. This new neo-soul project boasts some of the most talented young musicians in town, led by the power & grace of vocalist Solorah the Essence (Charmaine Douglas). Things remain soulful, but turn heavy with the “kinda-grunge, kinda-prog” rock band, Denim Matriarch. Airy, reverb-laden vocals mix with catchy riffs and occasional ripping sax solos. Somewhere around 7:30pm, you’ll want to grab a Turn Up THC Seltzer to prepare for takeoff at 8pm when the high energy jazz fusion experiment, Room3, launches us beyond any recognizable dimension. Boyish will take the reins at 9pm and guide us back home with dense guitar tones and hauntingly beautiful melodies.

Sunday, May 17

The final day of Whirlygig kicks off with guitar playing unlike you’ve ever heard from Young Dervish (Zak Khan), who builds and performs on his own beautiful fretless guitars. Next is Foremother, bringing a sometimes-pretty, sometimes-gritty sound ranging somewhere between Moonchild and Radiohead. At 2pm, grab a tallboy of Indeed’s new light lager, Easy League, for some laid-back Sunday-sipping and prepare for the perfect blend of virtuosity and taste from Kevin Gamble’s jazz fusion quartet, KG4. Charlie Bruber, common Twin Cities support player turned frontman, follows with free-flowing tunes that feel like a breath of fresh air. The festival comes to a close with the one-two combo of psychedelic bluegrass from Buffalo Galaxy and powerful gospel vocals from Kennadi Watkins, backed by some of the most killin’ musicians in town.