Tonight, between both A&R Bar and The Basement, will be Columbus’ very first Midwest Revival. This event utilizes both venues and staggers the set times of the 7 bands performing so audience members have the opportunity to see them all.
Dan Arrasmith, the general manager of both A&R Bar and The Basement, would like to do this event once a quarter. His vision is “to help build and strengthen the local scene here in Columbus, and allow bands to network with other artists and musicians not only in Columbus, but from surrounding cities.”
Some local Columbus bands are included in the MWR, as well as bands from surrounding regions such as Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis. This concept will also expose Columbus audiences to bands they have never seen or heard of before, as it seems the same old bands are playing the same old venues every weekend.
The lineup is stacked with consistently solid, entertaining bands. Performers this round are:
Andrew Graham & Swarming Branch, Bigshot, Blastronauts, Jackie & The Stabbs, Old Hundred, Petit Mal, and Strangers in Daylight.
The ultimate goal is to grow the music scene here, as well as build Columbus up to a destination where artists from all over would come to perform to put their names on the map.
“In a few years, bands will come to Columbus to get exposed and grow their sounds, instead of bands leaving to NYC, Nashville, LA, etc.,” says Arrasmith.
He also mentions his hopes that the event will allow Columbus bands to network with bands from across the country, getting them more gigs outside of Columbus. It is a huge step in bringing the Columbus music scene together and providing the opportunity for local artists to be exposed to other markets they otherwise might not have been able to.
Advance tickets are $7 and $10 day of show.
More information can be found here. Jackie & The Stabbs (middle) photo by Trevor Boyle Studio. Strangers in Daylight (bottom) photo by Aaron Knack.