WonderRoad Music & Arts Festival – Indianapolis – Day 2
On June 18th, thousands of people converged on the grounds of beautiful Garfield Park in Indianapolis to partake in Day 2 of the 2023 WonderRoad Music & Arts Festival.
Organized by Elevation Group, now in its second year, this two-day festival was complete with Artisans, great food and drink, as well as a stellar lineup of twenty-six musical acts.
Performing on the Music Elevates stage, the headliner for this day was Alabama native and multi-Grammy winning artist, Jason Isbell, performing with his band The 400 Unit.
Playing a captivating performance, the set was opened with “Save the World” from his newly released album, “Weathervanes” going into the hit single and Grammy winning “24 Frames” from the Grammy winning album “Something More Than Free.” The remainder of the set included both older and newly released hits from various albums, as well as covering songs by Drive-By Truckers and Drivin’ n Cryin’.
Isbell and the 400 Unit are currently touring the US in promotion of their latest album “Weathervanes” which was released earlier this month on Isbell’s own record label, Southeastern Records.
Performing on the White Claw stage just prior to Isbell, was the amazingly talented and Grammy nominated, Marcus King.
King, a native of South Carolina, and his band, played a blistering set and kept the attention of the large festival audience who sang along to his blend of Southern Rock and Soul music. Included in his set, were hits from his Grammy nominated solo debut album, “El Dorado” as well as albums “Carolina Confessions” and “Young Blood” which was released in August of 2022.
King and his Band are currently out on tour across the US.
Performing earlier in the day on the Hi-Fi stage, an artist that blew me away, was Michigan native Myron Elkins. If you keep an “Artists to Watch” list, be sure to add him to it.
Elkins, who seemingly became a touring musician by accident and overnight, is already getting the sweet taste of success at the tender age of 22. Having his own musical style, his beautifully unique and distinctive voice is mixed with a tasty blend of original music that intertwines Blues, Country, Classic & Southern Rock. The crowd and myself were mesmerized as he took the stage and flawlessly played all original music.
Having released his debut album “Factories, Farms & Amphetamines” in January of this year, Elkins and his music are quickly gaining attention. Just in this year alone, he has been in feature articles in Rolling Stone, Cowboys and Indians Magazine and several other media outlets. As well, two tracks from Elkins’ debut album, “Factories, Farms & Amphetamines” and “Wrong Side of the River” were added to an episode of the hit show Yellowstone.
Elkins and his band The Dying Breed are currently touring the US in promotion of his debut album.
Other performers for the day were: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Indie Artist Neal Francis, Canadian Indie Pop duo Tegan and Sara, Indie Pop Artist Andrew McMahon, Alt Rock Indie Artist Meg Myers, Indie Folk Band The 502s, Indiana based Electro Funk Band Dizgo, Indianapolis based OVERSLPT, Ruby Waters and Sadie Johnson.
* Becky Porter is a Central Indiana Freelance, Published Photographer and Contributing Photographer at InFocus Visions Music & Arts Magazine
Instagram: @bporterphotog
