Tag: Audiotree Music Festival

ATMF was created by Audiotree, a Chicago-based artist discovery platform formed in 2011 by Kalamazoo natives Michael Johnston and Adam Thurston. The company promotes up-and-coming artists through live-streamed studio sessions, interviews, and takeaway performances. In 2015, Audiotree purchased esteemed Chicago venues, Schubas Tavern and Lincoln Hall, adding a live concert booking, promoting, and streaming division to the company. Over the past seven years, their online following has grown to include over 350k YouTube Subscribers. Now,  Audiotree Music Festival is expanding to match the scale of the company as a whole.

“While this year’s festival is very guitar-driven, we’re really excited about the variety we’ve still been able to cover,” says ATMF/Lincoln Hall’s Talent Buyer, Patrick Van Wagoner. “Attendees will find elements of rock ’n roll, punk, folk, pop, funk, and more, while seeing plenty of acts with Audiotree history.” Several artists are Audiotree Alumni that have recorded projects in the past, including Basement, Palm, Common Holly, Chicano Batman, Post Animal, NE-HI, Melkbelly, Stuyedeyed, and Flaural. Each festival performance will be live-streamed and later released as standalone videos.

2018’s biggest addition is The Discovery Stage, presented in conjunction with WMU’s radio station. “Our good friends at the Western Michigan University college radio station, WIDR, will be helping to present 12 more bands throughout the weekend,” says Adam Thurston. The Discovery stage lineup will feature additional Audiotree Alumni, along with local acts from Michigan and Chicago. More details will be announced next month.

In addition to music, the festival will offer a variety of craft beer, food trucks, and specialty vendors from the Kalamazoo area. The fest is all ages and children under the age of 10 get free admission with an adult. “We’re working with more local partners and sponsors than we ever have before,” says Thurston. “September 22nd and 23rd is going to be an epic weekend in downtown Kalamazoo!”