Watch CBS News

St. Jerome's Laneway Festival Makes its U.S. Debut in Detroit

St. Jerome's Laneway Festival is scheduled to make its U.S. debut – could you take a guess at which city it might be headed to? No, it's not the "typical" cities, New York City or Los Angeles – they've chosen Detroit. St. Jerome's annual Laneway Festival – that grew out of Australia and became one of the biggest musical festivals in the world – will celebrate this year here in Metro Detroit at the Meadow Brook Music Theater on Saturday, September 14th.

This year, the festival is jam-packed with a set list of bands and artists from all parts of the world, with even a few Detroit-native bands hitting the stage, too. Headliners of the festival will include Sigur Ros and The National, with over 20 additional acts from Icona Pop to Solange Knowles to The Dismemberment Plan. There will also be performances from artists with Detroit ties, including electropunk pioneers ADULT and experimental-pop band My Brightest Diamond (featuring native-Detroiter Shara Worden).

We spoke with one of the co-founders of the festival, Danny Rogers, and he says "We've got a musical line-up that we believe is more interesting than anything that has come out anywhere across America this summer." The Laneway Festival has always been devoted to leading new and revered seminal music and bringing it to unique settings and surrounding to be appreciated by music lovers.

The festival, which marks its 11th year this year, has something for every music lover out there – with sounds from all across the board: indie-rock, pop, rock, experimental, dance, hip hop, and R&B. Danny said this year's set list, "has been carefully curated with an eclectic and deep collection of both established and up and coming indie superstars."

So, why did they choose Detroit? Danny says "The music history, the people, and the fact that nobody would expect us to go there. Everyone asks: 'Why Detroit?' I don't think anybody would ask why if we launched in Chicago or Los Angeles because those cities are saturated with similar events."

Danny added "We see Detroit as the place that has great potential and we're optimistic that over time we can be part of the city's growing arts community. It should also be noted that Detroit has some very forward-thinking local people and our partners in Detroit have been incredibly supportive and the ultimate reason we are there." Sounds good to us, Danny!

The festival has also worked very hard to include as many local people and businesses involved, Danny said. "The food, the fashion, the feel will definitely reflect Detroit. We also had our pals at Ghostly International and Movement Electronic Festival program a stage and that's a wonderful reflection of local Michigan talent, even though we know we only skimmed the top, as you guys have so much incredible talent over there." That sounds about right, Danny, we tend to agree.

There will also be performances from artists off of the Ghostly International Records label, including: ADULT, electronic hip hop duo Beacon, electronic DJ Heathered Pearls, ambient-techno master Matthew Dear, and jazz-inspired hip hop band Shigeto. To find out more on the St. Jerome's Laneway Festival, or to purchase your tickets, check out their website here!

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.