CAN’T TOUCH THIS YEAR’S FORD ARTS, BEATS & EATS MUSIC LINEUP, FEATURES COLOSSAL CLASSICS AND LOCAL LEGENDS

Metro Detroit’s favorite summer festival will display more than 200 national and local musicians and entertainers, including headliners M.C. Hammer, Eddie Money, Guster and Montgomery Gentry

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Once again, Ford Arts, Beats & Eats presented by FirstMerit Bank will feature an energy-packed line-up of national and local musical acts on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30 - Sept. 2.  Now in its 16th year, the festival’s “beats” will once again be a reflection of true vibrant heart and soul of the metro Detroit area with performers from nearly every musical genre. With more than 200 local bands and entertainers performing for crowds on nine stages, and well-known acts taking to the Michigan Lottery Stage, the 2013 diverse musical line-up is sure to excite and entertain guests of all ages and musical tastes.

The Michigan Lottery National Stage features high profile, up-and-coming national acts as well as established international stars. Located again this year between Main and Center streets at 7^th Street, the official list of confirmed national acts include multi-platinum garage band Smash Mouth, best known for their hit number one singles “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star;” all-American rapper, dancer and choreographer M.C. Hammer; known for opening the summer concert season in Detroit, Billboard topper and Platinum artist Eddie Money; Grammy Award-winning 90’s alternative rock band Soul Asylum; one of the most iconic rock bands from the 80s Starship; CMA-winning sounds of American country duo Montgomery Gentry; Beatle tribute band Beatlemania Live; and popular local entertainment band Fifty Amp Fuse.

Detroit’s best local bands will be featured on eight additional music stages, with a quality mix and variety of music that is unmatched by any other festival. The local stages include the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Americana Stage, FirstMerit International Stage, Ford Eco-Boost/89-X Stage, Made in Detroit R&B Stage, Budweiser Rock Stage, and the bd’s Mongolian Grill Acoustic Stage.  Top local talent this year includes Amy Gore & Her Valentines, Thornetta Davis, 50 Amp Fuse and The Killer Flamingos.

On the Meijer Kids Stage, audiences will enjoy performances by Rosco the Clown, juggling acts, ventriloquist acts, magic shows and several other kid-focused, audience interactive shows.  Festival favorites the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music will take to the Kids Stage every day of the festival.

The Rock Star Energy Performance Pit is sure to keep people moving and grooving all weekend.  Healthy fun on the stage includes group yoga sessions from the Yoga Shelter and KIND Healthy Snack Yoga, as well as Jazzercise. Electronic Music Festival favorites will turn up the music at night, while aerialists, acrobats, stilt-walkers and more from the Detroit Circus will amaze families all day long. Local talent will have the chance to shine during the Be a Rockstar Singing Competition.

Ford Arts, Beats & Eats will host nearly every musical style over the four-day weekend—from country, Caribbean, Celtic, rockabilly, and rhythm & blues to gospel, swing, rock, funk, metal, jazz and reggae. Visitors will be treated to continuous musical entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30 and culminating Monday evening, Sept. 2.  Performance schedule is subject to change.

The full schedule of artists is as follows:

MUSIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

2013 Ford Arts, Beats & Eats Music Schedule

Michigan Lottery National Stage

Friday, August 30

5:00 p.m.                                 Elanora (Indie/Folk)

6:30 p.m.                                 Spring (Alternative Rock)

8:00 p.m.                                 Smash Mouth (Alternative Rock)

10:00 p.m.                               Eddie Money (Classic Rock)

Saturday, August 31

5:00 p.m.                                 Beatlemania Live (Beatles Cover)

7:00 p.m.                                 Starship featuring Mickey Thomas (Classic Rock)

8:45 p.m.                                 Bush Hawg (Country)           

10:00 p.m.                               Montgomery Gentry (Country)                     

Sunday, September 1

5:00 p.m.                                 Kaleido (Rock)

6:30 p.m.                                 Ty Stone

8:00 p.m.                                 Soul Asylum (Alternative Rock)

10:00 p.m.                               Guster (Alternative Rock)

Monday, September 2

3:30 p.m.                                 The Jill Jack Band (Folk Rock)

5:00 p.m.                                 Fifty Amp Fuse (Rock/Classic Rock)

6:45 p.m.                                 Sponge (Rock)

8:30 p.m.                                 MC Hammer (Hip Hop)