Pug Fest | Michigan
During the weekend of July 7-9, 2023, DIY production agency Pleasant Underground brought Pug Fest to the people of Michigan. Spanning the festival over Detroit, Pontiac, Ferndale, and Berkley, people from all over the country came to enjoy the insane three-night festival. For this report, bands from Friday and Saturday will be recorded.
On July 7th, The Sanctuary in Detroit, MI held the first lineup, with Equipment as the headliner. Throughout the night, fans could move around the venue to two different stages, where bands such as Leisure Hour, Kiss Your Friends, and Panda House played on one stage, and Hemmingway Lane, In A Daydream, Danny von Zandt, Common Sage, Antighost, and Equipment played on the main stage. With such a stacked lineup for all three nights, Pleasant Underground knew how to start the weekend right with such a fantastic band spread for Friday. Friday had everyone buzzing with excitement, especially during Equipment’s set, which had a mosh pit and crowd surfers filling up the small venue.
Saturday was a whirlwind of good music and good vibes. Easily the biggest day of the festival, three stages were set up inside The Crofoot in Pontiac, MI. Big performers such as Prince Daddy and The Hyena, Charmer, Arm’s Length, Saturdays at Your Place, and Carly Cosgrove took over The Ballroom main stage, while other main performers, such as He Is Legend and Greyhaven, performed upstairs in The Pike Room. Arcadia Grey, Posture and the Grizzly, Riot Course, The Dartmoors, and many others performed in The Vernors Room, which held a small capacity but was filled with fans every single set. Michigan natives and others alike performed incredible sets. Key moments included Saturdays at Your Place performing an incredible set early on in the ballroom, having the crowd crowdsurf at any given moment. Arm’s Length, on the other hand, performed “Garamond” last, inviting everyone on stage to sing the last few lines of the song. Prince Daddy and the Hyena closed the night out for everyone on Saturday, thanking everyone for the support they’ve shown to not only themselves but to the other amazing bands. Fans can definitely look forward to the future of Pug Fest, knowing that this festival will be one of the best for DIY music.
