In a time when bankruptcy and scandal are miring the Motown sheen, Mo Pop Festival provided an upbeat, energizing lineup that was a perfect match for a beautiful sunny day.
Held at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros headlined the day-long festival complete with a side stage full of magicians, acrobats and burlesque dancers, as well as art, vendors and a biergarten.
Acts throughout the day consisted of mostly uptempo, spunky, electro-pop groups and included Detroit natives Jamaican Queens (check out our exclusive interview with the trio!) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
The lovely and energetic harmonies of The Mowgli’s seemed to be a perfect fit on the smaller stage engulfed in sunshine. The California-based band, known for their affinity for love and good vibes, drew a packed crowd who got their their second wind and was ready to dance.
On the mainstage, Manchester Orchestra brought its brooding, heartfelt and heavy-hitting sound to the pavilion and as the afternoon rolled into evening, Old Crow Medicine Show provided some southern flavor for the eclectic Michigan crowd. Between Manchester Orchestra’s characteristic sound and Old Crow’s upright basses, harmonicas and fiddles, it was a welcomed change of pace from the synth-filled sound that reverberated through the air for most of the day.
Although the seemingly tired crowd remained seated for most of Andrew Bird’s set, they gave the one-man-impresario a standing ovation as he threw up his arm to wave and exit the stage while his trademark looping continued and slowly faded.
Headliner’s Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros played a mix of songs off their new album and old fan favorites. Well-known for their larger than life sound and stage presence, lead singer Alex Ebert lived up to any expectations, frolicking through the crowd and across the stage, engaging the audience who hung on every word.
For the most part, Mo Pop was a well-thought out one day festival full of energy, optimism and variety. The only downfall to the venue was that the pavilion had assigned seats. For some of the crowd and performers early in the day, it felt awkward. The first act on the stage, Walk the Earth, even invited the crowd to move forward and join them in dancing, much to the dismay of the security guards and ushers. As the day went on, the laid-back vibe was only hindered by the incessant ticket checking.