Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers wsg Hot like Mars & Headband Henny
2026 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert Series This is an 18 and over event – 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers will make a sprightly young groove doctor out of anyone. With spectacular energy pulsating from every member of the band, the Rainbow Seekers could illuminate the very chambers of Heaven. Lead singer Joe Hertler splashes through lyrical puddles of golden rain, leaving his audience wearing flowery crowns and bubbling smiles. A ride on the Rainbow will take you across the mountains of Motown, through the fjords of folk, over the archipelagos of Americana, and-at last-into a funky firth, where only the fiercest of friendships can be found. The Rainbow Seekers began their historic quest 8 years ago, revolving around the pure, unadulterated songwriting of their fearless leader, Joe Hertler. Ryan Hoger was the first among the Seekers to find this lonely songsmith and recognize the twinkling magic in his beard. The young boy gave up all his earthly possessions (besides his guitar, of course) and became the first disciple of the Rainbow. With this, the core of the Rainbow was thereby established, and it didn’t take long for the Rainbow Seekers to continue their expansion. Multi-instrumentalist and notable auxiliary percussion maestro Micah Bracken journeyed from the bowels of Atlantis when he heard tell of the Rainbow, and the earth trembled as saxophonist and all-around badass Aaron Stinson descended from Olympus on a golden rainbow of his own. Then came thunder from the depths of space, and as it picked up the bass, a soft exhale escaped the lips of every princess within a hundred moons, “Bambis,” they cooed. All the while, on the other ends of the earth, a young boy was hard at work, honing and sharpening his sticks for the day that the Rainbow would come his way, and when it landed at his door, Ryan McMahon climbed aboard. VIP MERCH tickets include: – entry – signed poster
Basic
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Working with guitars, drum machine, sampler, self-built electronics, and all manner of percussion, BASIC, the trio of Chris Forsyth, Mikel Patrick Avery, and Douglas McCombs, synthesize the vast influences and distinct histories of each member, producing a boundary-less, rhythm-forward amalgam of art rock, trance jazz, collective improvisation, and humming electronics on their new eponymous full-length, out June 12, 2026 on No Quarter. Philadelphia’s Chris Forsyth, known for his lyrical guitar compositions and mercurial improvisations as leader of the Solar Motel Band, founded BASIC in 2022 naming the project in homage to the 1984 Robert Quine/Fred Maher album “Basic,” yes, but also to indicate a desire to get down to fundamentals rhythmically and musically. Shortly thereafter, fellow Philly denizen Mikel Patrick Avery, whose subtle and propulsive drumming has provided the pulse for Natural Information Society, Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons, and Rob Mazurek’s Exploding Star Orchestra (amongst other projects), joined, bringing his unique combination of programed beats and acoustic percussion – a single drum with a metallic bell affixed and a variety of hand percussion run through a self-devised barrage of electronic processors and tonal filters (many controlled in real-time with touch pads) – to BASIC. Chicago stalwart Douglas McCombs came on board in late 2024 to tour their debut record “This Is BASIC,” thereby solidifying the lineup and expanding the group’s sound. As often heard in his work with Tortoise and Brokeback, McCombs’ playing in BASIC combines a mastery of musical negative space with memorable lines on Fender Bass VI, a six-string instrument with a distinctive twang tuned an octave below a standard guitar, allowing McCombs to function as both bassist and guitarist. After 35+ live gigs touring the first record and the March 2025 release of their merch table- and Bandcamp-only three-song EP “Dream City,” “Basic” was tracked by Nick Broste in a mere two days in September 2025 at Electrical Audio, the legendary Chicago studio built and operated for many years by the late Steve Albini, with minimal overdubs and a final mix conducted over three days in January at Uniform Recording in Philly with engineer/mixer Jeff Zeigler. As a result of their newfound tour chemistry, it all came together quickly and with minimal pre-production. As Forsyth puts it: “I’d say we invented 60% of this record on the spot at Electrical… This record is exciting for me because I really didn’t know what it was until we were finished with it.”
HiTech WSG Caged Lotus
This is an 18+ event with standing room only | 17 under with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) VIP Tickets include a reserved seat in the loft area of the back room. A mix of Ghettotech, house, Rap & Miami base, HiTech are on a mission to destroy stereotypical “bottle service” club culture by bringing raw energy, humor, dancing and moshpits back to electronic music. In the process, they’ve become one of the most talked about live acts since their debut last summer.Comprised of MCs/producers King Milo, Milf Melly and DJ 47Chops, HiTech released their albums HiTech & DETWAT last year on FXHE label, hitting The Fader’s Top 10 and Pitchfork’s Top 50 Albums of 2023 lists, racking up fans including Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown, Pink Siifu, Show Me The Body & Crystalmess and playing much lauded shows everywhere including Berghain, The Lot, Rinse, The Face’s Rated and across PFW. Hilarious and raunchy, HiTech are also outspoken and principled.With a summer full of festivals and news that HiTech and Detwat are being re-released on streaming services this summer, HiTech are bringing Detroit back to the global stage. Caged Lotus is a Kalamazoo-based hip-hop collective known for its high-energy performances, genre-bending sound, and deep roots in Southwest Michigan’s creative community. Emerging from the Vine Neighborhood music scene, the group brings together a diverse roster of artists who blend rap, alternative hip-hop, live instrumentation, and experimental influences into a sound that is uniquely their own. The collective was founded on the idea of “growing out of the muck”—transforming life’s challenges into art, connection, and creative expression. Since their formation, Caged Lotus has built a reputation for electrifying live shows, collaborative showcases, and community-driven events that spotlight both established and emerging talent. More than just a music group, Caged Lotus has become a creative movement dedicated to cultivating opportunities for artists and fostering a vibrant local music culture. Current members include Headband Henny, Daniel Brock, Taxi Cab, and Peace. On July 10th, Caged Lotus brings its signature energy, powerful lyricism, and immersive stage presence to the legendary Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, delivering a performance that showcases the collective’s evolution and the thriving spirit of Kalamazoo’s independent music scene.
The Flying Leaps WSG Two Dollar Bills & Dolphin Strangler
This is a 18+ event with standing room only I 17 under with a parent or guardian. Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash). THE FLYING LEAPS From Kalamazoo, Michigan, this multi-instrumentalist quartet features eclectic originals and arrangements by Abe Savas, Jeff Hale, Jesse Williams and Jay Gavan. With influences that arc from classic rock to yacht rock to heavy metal to surf rock and soul, this is a band that will not let you rest on your laurels.  Get ready to be surprised!! TWO DOLLAR BILLS Two Dollar Bills are a 5-piece alternative rock band from Kalamazoo, Michigan. They play original music with influences that combine 60s and 70s power pop with modern indie and alternative. Will Gavan, Bradyn Weatherwax, Mark Warden, Patrick McLaughlin, and Luke Feister are currently in the process of completing their self-titled debut album Two Dollar Bills, scheduled for release this August!  DOLPHIN STRANGLER Dolphin Strangler are a Michigan trio based in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood. They play guitar-heavy, instrumental jams.
KALAMASHOEGAZER 17
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian KALAMASHOEGAZER 17, The longest running Shoegaze & Dreampop Festival in the US, in Kalamazoo, MI. 17 years.
KALAMASHOEGAZER 17
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian KALAMASHOEGAZER 17, The longest running Shoegaze & Dreampop Festival in the US, in Kalamazoo, MI. 17 years.
The Corn Fed Girls and The Analog Radio Hour
This is an 18+ seated event | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) The Corn Fed Girls One part salty breakup, two parts bear hug. The Corn Fed Girls are original acoustic Americana from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their sound is earthy and innovative, traditional instrumentation with lush vocal harmonies and a folky aesthetic. Members have played in many of the regions favorite bands over the years including Knee Deep Shag, Daddy Long Legs, Red Sea Pedestrians, Doxie, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Sundog and others. The Corn Fed Girls are a favorite on the Michigan folk festival circuit. The Analog Radio Hour Jazz standards from years gone by performed by Kalamazoo musicians, some familiar and some maybe long forgotten, sing along if you know the words! Mike Fuerst is the featured vocalist with local legends The Birdseed Salesmen providing the instrumental magic. Stories about the songs will be shared in a unique way, with a little “theater” just for fun.
KALAMASHOEGAZER 17 – 2 Day Pass
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian KALAMASHOEGAZER 17, The longest running Shoegaze & Dreampop Festival in the US, in Kalamazoo, MI. 17 years.
The Insiders: A Tribute to Tom Petty
This is a 18+ event with standing room only| 17 under with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) Close your eyes and you won’t know the difference. Open them and you still might befooled. The Insiders present the premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers experience.With 6 veteran musicians and decades of combined stage and touring experience, TheInsiders are genuinely running down the dream. It all starts with frontman Max Lockwood. “I grew up listening to Tom Petty. My momwould play the Greatest Hits record while she worked out. I’d sit at the top of the stairsand listen to those songs—it was my most requested CD as a young kid.” In high school,Lockwood’s band Big Dudee Roo started covering Petty songs at their frequent showsin West Michigan. “Tom Petty was part of the great American landscape to me—alegend by the time I was musically conscious. We got a great crowd reaction with Pettytunes, and people frequently commented that I sounded a lot like him.” Nothing has changed with time. After the passing of Tom Petty in October of 2017,Lockwood organized the band by pulling together some of his favorite musicians for abenefit concert. After a sold-out show that raised thousands for a local domesticviolence shelter The Insiders decided they wouldn’t back down. “We try to honor whatMr. Petty and the Heartbreakers have done for rock and roll each night. We’re fans ofthe music first and foremost. These songs are woven into the fabric of the Americanidentity.” They’ve found no shortage of demand, selling out shows everywhere they go.Local Spins’ John Sinkevics had this to say: “The Insiders set the bar at a new level forTom Petty tributes.” The Insiders are based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently tour the Midwest andbeyond. They are available for public and private functions.
John R. Miller
This is an 18+ | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the General Store by card only (no cash) John R Miller is a true hyphenate artist: singer-songwriter-picker. Born in the Washington, DC area and raised in West Virginia, Miller has built a reputation as a thoughtful, boundary-pushing voice in alt-country and Americana, drawing from punk, traditional Appalachian music, and less conventional rock influences. Every song on his thrilling debut solo album, Depreciated, is lush with intricate wordplay and haunting imagery, backed by a band that is on fire. One of his biggest long-time fans is roots music favorite Tyler Childers, who says he’s “a well-travelled wordsmith mapping out the world he’s seen, three chords at a time.” Miller is somehow able to transport us to a shadowy honkytonk and get existential all in the same line with his tightly written compositions. For more information on John R. Miller, and to catch him live, visit jrmillermusic.com.
