Electronica, rock, acoustic, jazz, Latin, zydeco and beyond: The Eagle Rock Music Festival is our community’s marquee celebration, an occasion for musicians to perform at diverse venues along Colorado Boulevard, including auto shops, formal stages, even a motel balcony.
Last year, a crowd estimated at anywhere from 30,000 people (LAPD figures) to 60,000 people (organizers’ figures)—perhaps even as many as 100,000 people (go figure)—thronged the streets. The precise estimates may be uncertain, but this much certainly isn't: The broad contours of Eagle Rock's main boulevard create a relaxed experience that is at once titanic and inclusive.
This year’s festival, scheduled from 4 p.m. through 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, will also feature a family-friendly kids corner on Caspar Avenue, where activities will include learning to play the ukulele, comic book making, clay projects and more. The programs, all taught by instructors at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, will give a sneak peek of the Fall Education programming at the Center.
Visitors are advised to arrive famished. The festival will offer an eclectic blend of international foods at the Eagle Rock Farmers Market on Merton Avenue as well as a variety of food trucks, including the Poutine Truck, Greasy Weiner, Slice Truck, Fresh Fries and more. And of course the restaurants of Eagle Rock will feature a variety of festival-friendly fare as well.
A $5 suggested donation can be made at the main entrances and throughout the festival. This contribution supports the , the nonprofit that produces the Eagle Rock Music Festival, along with the office of .
Among the Festival’s featured performers are Flying Lotus, the experimental producer/laptop musician referred to affectionately as "FlyLo" by fans and critics. Born Steven Ellison, the great-nephew of the late Alice Coltrane and John Coltrane infuses kaleidoscopic textures and mind-bending beats into a riveting aural tapestry. Flying Lotus will perform on the Low End Theory Stage at 10:20 p.m.
Mia Doi Todd (photo-featured above) is no stranger to our community, having appeared in concert at the Center for the Arts. She was featured this summer at the Hollywood Bowl for Global Soul, on a bill that included Stevie Wonder, Sharon Jones and Janelle Monáe. With her latest release Cosmic Ocean Ship, the singer/songwriter expands on her recorded legacy of gorgeous melodies and sensual song craft. Mia Doi Todd will appear on the Global Future Roots Stage at 6:15 p.m.
The neo-psychedelic collective Shadow Shadow Shade unveils a cinematic approach to their music, revealed in intricate arrangements reflective of British pomp-rock, cross-pollinated with an indie sensibility. Fronted by an opera-schooled lead vocalist Claire McKeown, the band’s opulent musicality projects dense, majestic arrangements, hypnotic grooves and epic complexity. Shadow Shadow Shade will perform on The Ship Stage at 10 p.m.
“Blazing,” “blistering” and “bombastic” are adjectives that characterize the uncompromising artistry of garage punkers Barrio Tiger. The band is inked to Pat Todd's Rankoutsider Records, which earlier this year released its 12" 45 EP Laugh Now, Cry Later, recorded with Manny Nieto. “Punk rock with beer-soaked intensity,” is one apt description of this bold, uncompromising Los Angeles-based aggregation.
Here’s the entertainment line-up (schedules are subject to change; visit www.cfae.org for updates):
Razorcake/Zocaloc Stage • American Legion Hall• 2109 Merton Ave.
4:30 Special Guest
5:30 French Exit
6:30 Cheeto Champ
7:30 Summer Vacation
8:30 Fuxedos
9:30 Barrio Tiger
Family Stage • Corner of Merton/Caspar
4:00 Pio Pico
5:00 Magic Show with Micah Cover
6:00 Ellen and Matt
7:00 NINE
8:00 Ukulele Orchestra of the Western Hemisphere
9:00 Hot August Nights—A Neil Diamond Tribute
• 1840 Colorado Blvd.
Special Guest
Global “Future Roots” Stage • Colorado Boulevard, between Maywood & Caspar
Co-Curated by Dublab
4:00 Carlos Nino
4:45 Paul Livingston Trio
5:30 Village Archive
6:15 Mia Doi Todd
7:00 Hymnal
7:45 Pharaohs
8:30 Biggest Crush (Sunny Levine + Turquoise Wisdom)
9:15 El Haru-Kuroi
10:00 Special Guest
Emerging Stage • Colorado Boulevard and Shearin Avenue
Presented by Ford: Gimme the Gig, Co-curated by FYF Fest, LA Record, Koxy Radio
4:00 Kenan Bell
5:00 Red Shark
6:00 The Feeding People
7:00 Special Guest
8:00 Allah Las
9:00 Boom Bip
10:15 HEALTH
• 1941 Colorado Blvd.
6:00 Latin Jazz Ensemble
8:00 Cambalache
9:00 Umbalaye
Low End Theory Stage • Colorado Boulevard, between Highland View and Hermosa Avenue
4:00 Gaslamp Killer
4:20 Nobody
4:40 Daddy Kev
5:00 D-Styles
5:20 JonWayne
6:00 Nocando
6:20 Teebs
7:00 D-Styles
7:20 Dibiase
8:00 Daddy Kev
8:20 Tokimonsta
9:00 Nobody
9:20 Nosaj Thing
10:00 Gaslamp Killer
10:20 Flying Lotus
• 1840 W. Colorado Blvd.
7:00 Bonne Musique Zydeco
• 5150 Hermosa Ave.
5:00 Erik Estrand Ensemble
• 1833 Colorado Blvd.
4:00 Ampersand
5:00 Six-Pak
5:00 Border Radio
7:00 Saucy Monky
8:00 The Vagabondz
9:00 Duniven
10:00 Special Guest
Kingsize Stage • /1801 Colorado Blvd.
4:30 Beatnik Jr.
5:30 Gangi
6:30 Buffalo Electric
7:30 Miracle Parade
8:30 Dorian Taj
9:30 Adventure Galley
10:30 Rooney
Ship Stage • Panang/1801 Colorado Blvd.
4:00 Dirty Bandits
5:00 All Spots to Black
6:00 Little Red Lung
7:00 Molino
8:00 Phaxanation & The Dust Kickers
9:00 Blonde Summer
10:00 Shadow Shadow Shade
The Eagle Rock Music Festival is presented with generous support from , the , , and numerous community members, businesses and cultural organizations in Eagle Rock and beyond. Media sponsors include Patch.com, Pasadena Weekly and LA Weekly.
Free parking and shuttle service will be offered at Eagle Rock Plaza, 2700 Colorado Blvd. (at the juncture of the 134 and 2 freeways). The festival's Colorado Boulevard section runs east of Eagle Rock Boulevard to Argus Drive.
