Experiencing Live Music to its Fullest: The Road of WonderRoad

Words By Molly Greco

Photos by Zayne Isom

What better way to spend a beautiful summer weekend than in Indianapolis, Indiana at WonderRoad’s second year as a festival, being surrounded by so many people who have gathered together to share that same love and passion for music?

The eagerly awaited weekend of June 17 had finally arrived, and getting into Garfield Park for the festival was nothing short of built up excitement and rushing adrenaline for the day with a lineup and agenda full of talented artists and bands to see. WonderRoad was not your typical festival. The festival grounds were small, but mighty booming with lots of energy and thrill from all of the festival goers excited to see their favorite artists. 

By 1pm, people were flooding into the festival ready for a packed day. Some casually strolled in the gates and took in all of the sights of the festival, while others who had seemingly done their research and studied the festival grounds and made a B-line to the stage to be front row for their favorite artists. Saturday’s line-up was a mixture of artists and genres, but indie-rock band Stay Outside knew just how to get the day rolling. The energy they brought to the table created such a great start for the day. If this was just the beginning, boy did the crowd know what the rest of the day had in store. 

After being able to interview some excited concert goers who had set up camp at the main stage for the day, some there to see Weezer and others there for Coin, they were ready and prepared to wait the full 5 to 8 hours for their favorite artist. It was only a matter of time before the festival grounds filled up and performances were happening back to back. The energy of the festival was building up. Everyone from young kids and their parents, teenagers and their friends, to grandparents and elders were around dancing, singing, and sharing their love for live music together. There is just something about dancing with strangers at a festival that brings joy unlike any other. 

Almost Monday and Beach Weather brought all of the funky indie vibes festival goers could have asked for. Almost Monday powered through some technical difficulties and still gave it their all, putting on a stellar performance for everyone. Each of their performances had everyone dancing and singing along through the heat. They were the perfect sets, full of energy to have inching forward towards some of the other performances of the day. X-Ambassadors’ followed, starting their set with one of their hits “Renegades,” which drew in quite the crowd. Their set was fun and nostalgic for those who have grown up listening to the X-Ambassadors’ music.

Coin and Local Natives were the last two sets before the headliner. They were the ultimate performances to end on as the night was closing in and everyone centered towards the main stage for Weezer. At this point, the crowd energy was picking up with loads of excitement for these next performers that people have been waiting all day long to see. Coin’s energy could have been sensed from miles away, their performance was lively and a good time. Fans all around were singing their lyrics from the start to the end of their set and there was not a single person in eyesight around without a smile on their face. Local Natives had the sunset slot of the night and put on a great performance. With their complex rhythms and beautiful harmonies, they had everyone’s attention from beginning to end. 

Finally, Weezer closed out the night as the headliner. The crowd filled in the entire festival grounds as far back as you could see. The crowd was loud and energetic, and as Weezer would describe it, Indiana is “Lit AF.” Weezer’s timeless music had everyone singing and enjoying the night with the people they loved. There could not have been a more perfect way to end the day. 

One thing specifically that was noticed throughout the day was this man in a neon shirt and his son at every performance. Whether or not they knew the music, they were dancing like no one was watching. Their carefree persona and vibes of pure happiness and energy, spread like wildfire as others would join them time and time again. A reminder of how timeless music can be.

 Each of the performances of the festival had their own unique vibes they brought to the table. Whether it was fun instruments or some insane vocals, each of the artists put on great performances that enhanced the energy of the festival. Some perfect examples of these unique and fun performances were the next performer’s of the day, The Dip and The Wonderlands. The Dip is not your typical band. This seven piece band brought all of the rhythm-and-blues vibes with their instruments and 60’s soul vocals. They had drums, a bass and lead guitar, a trumpet, a tenor saxophone and a baritone saxophone which brought in quite the crowd to see. The Wonderlands blew their performance out of the park with their high energy in their songs and in their performance that was undoubtedly contagious and impossible not to dance to. 

Festivals bring many people together to enjoy many different genres and types of live music and to be present in the beauty of life. Although, underneath the surface level of attending a concert, is the true love and passion for live music that brings people together. Regardless of who you are, where you’re from, or what life throws at you, music will always be a constant variable that will create and tell the stories that people will remember for a lifetime. Until next year, WonderRoad.