Today's post wraps up this weekend's known hard rock concert previews, and if there's something else on late notice, I'll slot it in where I can. We're mostly looking at the Second Stage at Rotaryfest, but there are a couple more acoustic matinees to take note of, so here's what else you should know for this weekend on this Friday morning!
It's time to preview this weekend's eighteenth annual Rotaryfest Stage 2, as blues bands (tomorrow) and original-leaning acts (Saturday) set up shop at the outdoor stage beside the Art Gallery of Algoma at Clergue Park! In year #9 of the "Redirected" era, this lineup of FREE & ALL AGES music (just a short walk from Stage 1) features thirteen acts for 2025, and in its fourth year on the program, The Sault Blues Society is curating a Friday Night Blues themed lineup tonight that is devoid of hard rock or punk acts. If you're curious to check out the blues rock action, the lineup is headlined at 8:30 PM by local/St. Catharine's blues veteran Rusty McCarthy (credited as "Rusty McBlues") in his fifth solo Second Stage set. The Michael Yurich-led Smokehouse co-headline at 7:30 PM for their third year at Rotaryfest, and one night before they rock Beck's Bar. Mudfoot Mike & The Muckrakers are in the middle slot at 6:30 PM in their Stage 2 debut.
Fans of Generations may want to see them in their second consecutive year here, as Tony K. and Pierre will join past fill-in guitarist Mike McDonald in their lineup! New local power blues band Dark Eyed Junko (who have a stacked lineup of their own) debut at 5:30 PM, and Josh "The Preacher" McNally will lead off the Friday Night Blues action at 4:30 PM in his own first time at Rotaryfest. Mostly cloudy weather with temperatures of 18-21° is expected, and see above for more details on the Stage 2's opening night!
Veteran local alt-rock guitarist and Unsalted Audio head Dustin Goodall returns as the curator for the regular Second Stage lineup TOMORROW, and an eight band program is in store for fans of (mostly) original rock music! Your headliners tomorrow are local post-hardcore/midwest emo trio Fuller in their Rotaryfest debut and their first gig since their December 2023 reunion at LopLops and since releasing their sophomore album in the spring! You could call this the de facto release party, but A. they haven't confirmed anything about physical copies of "II" going on sale, and B. bassist Mark Rand will not be present for unannounced reasons (though remember that he has lived out of town for years). Former Nebraska Arms guitarist Dave Prendergast will reportedly handle the low end in Mark's stead, so hopefully things go well for Fuller's second post-reunion gig! They're up at 8:30 PM tomorrow.
Preceding them at 7:30 PM is local indie/pop rock band Jupiter Marvelous in their second Stage 2 set, and before them, fans can enjoy Shane "DJ Seith" Erickson at 6:30 PM in his first solo set at Rotaryfest (as in, not alongside Conika or in Planet Rock), and his turntable mixes will be original in their own way! In the heaviest booking on Stage 2 in two decades (if not ever), local progressive/djent metal quartet Convergence (featuring members of The Jazz Cats from tomorrow's Stage 1 lineup) will take over Rotaryfest for the first time at 5:30 PM, while hard rock quintet HeadF1rst will hit the stage at 4:30 as they continue building on their recent momentum! This heavier suppertime block begins at 3:30 PM with the Stage 2 debut of crossover thrash quartet Hails, and before then, we ease into things with two singer/songwriters, including Soundcheck alum Cameron Oliver at 2:30 PM in his first (only?) Stage 2 set.
Fresh off of his covers-leaning set with Mile 38 on Stage 1 tonight, this will be a chance to hear his own solo original material (no idea if he will have a backing band here) before his teased move out of town to further his solo career, so country fans won't want to miss him there! Opening on Saturday at 1:30 PM is folk singer/guitarist Matthew James in his second time on the Second Stage. Weather-wise, 9&10 News is currently calling for mostly cloudy weather with a high of 18°, which is relatively cool as July goes, but be advised that there is a 30% chance of rain that morning, so keep tabs on the forecast if you have any concerns. Visit the above links for much more on Stage 2 this weekend, and here's Fuller live!
Finally, local classic /hard rock singer/guitarist Tym Morrison has a busy weekend ahead, as he will double up with two previously announced acoustic gigs this weekend, including at the Fraternal Order Of Eagles Club on SATURDAY NIGHT and at Beck's Bar for a matinee on SUNDAY! As it turns out, we did announce Tym's Sunday stop at Beck's when first announced, it's easy to lose track given how often he schedules similar solo dates. Last seen with a short notice gig at The Dive last week, these two will be a good way for fans to enjoy Tym's unplugged slate of rocking covers from his extensive setlist, especially as he has never played at Rotaryfest that I am aware of. Tym last rocked Aerie #3991 three weeks ago, while it'll be almost four weeks since he rocked Beck's. It is worth noting that, as per Beck's Facebook page, Tym's show there on Sunday is actually taking place on his birthday, so help him celebrate in style, and I hope his show adds to his festivities well!
The Eagles Club show on Saturday is at 8:00 PM, while the Beck's date on Sunday is a 3:00 PM matinee. Both shows are 19+ affairs as far as I'm aware, and neither has an announced cover charge. Visit the above links for more details on Tym's two shows this weekend, and here he is live!
That's all for now, but stay tuned for more news and notes on the site this weekend! Thanks everyone!
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