KALAMASHOEGAZER 2 DAY PASS
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian TWO DAY PASS! Admission to both days of the festival. FRIDAY, 9/5 Doors: 5:30/Music at 6 Origami Phase (Detroit, MI) Cardboard Highway (Kalamazoo, MI) Fern Murphy (Indianapolis, IN) Overly Polite Tornadoes (Kalamazoo, MI) Lightfoils (Chicago, IL) SATURDAY, 9/6 Doors: 4:30/Music at 5 Desert Liminal (Chicago, IL) Cigarettes for Breakfast (Philadelphia, PA) Snowcuffs (Chicago, IL) Vida Eterna (Kalamazoo, MI) Brief Candles (Milwaukee, WI) Waves Crashing (Olympia, WA) Seashine (St. Louis, MO)
Real Laughter Local Comedy Showcase
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Oba the Artist is a Kalamazoo-based comedian, actor, and writer known for his bold humor, quick wit, and thought-provoking punchlines. Whether on stage or behind the mic, Oba brings a fearless energy that blends personal storytelling with sharp social commentary. As the host of Real Laughter Oba sets the tone for a night of unforgettable comedy, keeping the crowd engaged and the laughs rolling. His charisma and commanding stage presence make him a standout in Michigan’s growing comedy scene. Jarell Henry is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer known for his self-produced stand-up special I’m Grown Now (2021), where he returns to his hometown of South Bend, Indiana, to share humorous and heartfelt stories about his upbringing. He has also appeared in films such as Blended: The Kids Are (Not) Alright (2019), Blended (2020), and Prisoner of the Moment (2018). Micah Dailey-White is a 21-year-old artist and content creator from Michigan who gained significant attention through his humorous TikTok videos, amassing over 3 million followers. Despite facing homelessness as recently as early 2024, Micah utilized his platform to not only entertain but also to seek support, launching a GoFundMe campaign to assist with housing needs. Demonstrating his commitment to giving back, he pledged 10% of the proceeds to various charities, even while in need himself.
deadbeatdad, crystal trench, and DJ deathbong
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian With a style that’s equal parts groove and gut-punch, deadbeatdad is here to make you move and give you something to cry about. Drawing inspiration from electronic, pop, and indie sounds, deadbeatdad is crafting tracks that fuse dance-floor energy with brooding storytelling. With a passion for pushing musical limits and exploring themes of identity, self-discovery, and connection, deadbeatdad creates music that feels both personal and universally relatable. Known for their innovative production and bold sonic experimentation, deadbeatdad is rapidly making a mark on the alt-pop scene with a unique sound that’s as dynamic as it is unforgettable. DJ deathbong is a modular-techno project focused on live synthesis. Reviews: “That’s a lot of cables” , “What is that sound!?” “Please stop smoking in here”. crystal trench seems inextricable from the onstant, cyclical flow of gloom and bloom that surrounds them. They’ve built their world aroundthe ethereal, trance-like state of genres like darkwave and noise, with nods to their more energetic post-punk and synth-pop influences sprinkled throughout- creating a sound that’s both as dark, and as sparkly as their name implies.
PAINT YOUR PET NIGHT
Happy National Pet Day!! Come down to Bell’s Back Room to put your painting skills to the test while painting a portrait of your pet! Leading the way is our creative, artistic, and very talented co-worker Maria, who will guide you through the process of painting your pet. For just $15 per person, you’ll get: Supplies A drink ticket to get the creative juices flowing A night filled with laughter and likely some accidental abstract art Spots are limited—grab yours now!
PAINT YOUR PET NIGHT
Come down to Bell’s Back Room to put your painting skills to the test while painting a portrait of your pet! Leading the way is our creative, artistic, and very talented co-worker Maria, who will guide you through the process of painting your pet. For just $20 per person, you’ll get: Supplies A drink ticket to get the creative juices flowing A night filled with laughter and likely some accidental abstract art Spots are limited—grab yours now!
Out of Favor Boys Album Release Party
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Out of Favor Boys Album Release Join us at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe to celebrate the release of Love & Sorrow, the latest recording by Kalamazoo’s own Out of Favor Boys. The album features 11 original compositions that reflect the band’s numerous influences, incorporating rock, soul and blues into a thoughtful collection of songs. OFB will be joined by friends and guest musicians who played on the record to perform the new songs, as well as some classic OFB jams. The horn section and organ highlight the group’s roots in soul and blues, as well as their commitment to keeping people on the dance floor. Since coming together in 2003, Out of Favor Boys has been a blues staple in the region. OFB won the 2017 West Michigan Blues Society Blues Challenge, winning the right to represent WMBS in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2018. They represented the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association in the 2004 IBC. For more than 20 years, the group has played festival stages, smoky bars, music clubs and private shows from Detroit to the West Michigan Lakeshore to Northern Indiana and Chicago. OFB has recorded five studio CDs and one live double-CD. Love & Sorrow was co-produced by OFB and Pete Galanis and primarily recorded at La Luna Studios in Kalamazoo.
Headband Henny and PARALLELZ with Special Guests Celeste Allison, & Moravian
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Hailing from Grand Rapids’ vibrant music scene, PARALLELZ is an indie rock band with a sound that defies easy categorization. Its music seamlessly weaves funk, soul, R&B, and pop elements into a tapestry of catchy, dynamic indie rock. Fronted by multi-instrumentalist and producer Sean Stynes, the band delivers a potent blend of thoughtful songwriting and infectious energy. PARALLELZ is backed by a powerful rhythm section with Dan Julian on drums and Brad Watson on bass, while Jacob Chapman’s captivating keys, horns, and vocal harmonies always hit right. Recent additions of guitarist Paul Costopulos and vocalist Katana Valle-Sloane have added layers of depth and texture to the band’s sound. Sean Stynes’ electrifying fuzz guitar work and vocals complete the band’s unique sound, creating a sonic experience that’s both familiar and refreshingly new. The band’s 2024 debut record “Strange Mythologies” was mixed in part by renowned LA engineer Matt Biship (The Killers, U2, Taylor Swift) and delves into the universal themes of love and loss, exploring the mythologies that surround these experiences in our culture. The album’s characters grapple with these myths as they navigate pivotal life changes, inviting listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and journeys. Headband Henny is a rising artist from Kalamazoo, Michigan, blending the emotional depth of alternative R&B with the experimental edge of neo-soul and hip hop, drawing inspiration from artists like Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy, and Kevin Abstract. His breakthrough feature on the single “One on One” with Micah Daily-White has amassed over 5 million streams across platforms and sparked viral moments with 3,000 uses on TikTok. Henny’s debut album Purple racked up 400,000 streams and was named one of the top 5 albums of 2023 by Revue Magazine in West Michigan. His raw storytelling and genre-bending sound have earned him a loyal fanbase, and in 2024, him and his live project opened for the All-American Rejects in Dearborn, Michigan. Known for his introspective lyrics and captivating performances, Headband Henny is a unique voice in the modern music landscape, offering a fresh take on love, identity, and self-expression.
KALAMASHOEGAZER 16
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian KALAMASHOEGAZER 16, The longest running Shoegaze & Dreampop Festival in the US, in Kalamazoo, MI. 16 years. 2 days, 12 bands, September 5th & 6th! For two-day packaged passes, click here! FRIDAY, 9/5 Doors: 5:30 pm (Show starts 6:00 pm) Origami Phase (Detroit, MI) Cardboard Highway (Kalamazoo, MI) Fern Murphy (Indianapolis, IN) Overly Polite Tornadoes (Kalamazoo, MI) Lightfoils (Chicago, IL) For Saturday Single Day Passes, Click Here!
KALAMASHOEGAZER 16
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian KALAMASHOEGAZER 16, The longest running Shoegaze & Dreampop Festival in the US, in Kalamazoo, MI. 16 years. 2 days, 12 bands, September 5th & 6th! For two-day packaged passes, click here! SATURDAY, 9/6 Doors 4:30 pm (Show starts 5:00 pm) Desert Liminal (Chicago, IL) Cigarettes for Breakfast (Philadelphia, PA) Snowcuffs (Chicago, IL) Vida Eterna (Kalamazoo, MI) Brief Candles (Milwaukee, WI) Waves Crashing (Olympia, WA) Seashine (St. Louis, MO) For Friday Single Day Tickets, Click Here!
THE SINATRAS ’40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW’ wsgs BROKEN HEARTS ARE BLUE
This is a 18+ event with standing room only17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Summer of ‘85 – Battle Creek, MI’s Sinatras begin their run of scorching live sets at a hometown record store. Soon adopting stomping grounds in neighboring Kalamazoo, the band earn their high-energy stage reputation in Midwest venues stretching from St. Andrew’s to the Cubby Bear, to 7th Street Entry and beyond. Appearances on Chicago LP compilations It Came From Jay’s Garage and 20 Explosive Dynamic Super Smash Hit Explosions!, followed by vinyl, cassette, and digital releases through their Leppotone Electrical Recordings collective, expand the group’s cult following across the globe through the ‘90’s and beyond. Into the 21st century, bills shared with such diverse acts as Mission of Burma, ? and the Mysterians, and Kalamazoo punk pioneers the T-Snakes shake the senses of new and loyal audiences alike with fresh sounds and fan favorites. The Sinatras are proud to celebrate their 40th anniversary in concert at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe on August 9, 2025, following a rare live appearance by Kalamazoo’s native sons Broken Hearts Are Blue.
