Calling all listeners! Audiotree Music festival is back for it’s fifth year, promising two days of nonstop groove from both upcoming and famed artists alike. Located in downtown Kalamazoo, MI, the festival brings together artists from all genres—whether it be the garage rockers from Chicago Twin Peaks, or the king of iSpy himself SuperDuperKyle. Also guaranteed is the opportunity to discover your next beloved artist—check out the improv jazz group BADBADNOTGOOD, chances are you’ve heard them backing your favorite rappers.

Sponsored by Audiotree Music, the artist discovery platform embraces their roots in creating an environment that transgresses the typical concert experience. Offering food and crafts from local vendors, the entire weekend presents much more than a simple set-list. Both single and two-day passes are available, starting at only $32.50. ​​​​​​​

The ever so alluring bedroom pop artist VICTOR INTERNET is from the people, for the people. Growing up in a religious community, VICTOR picked up his impressive musical abilities playing drums, guitar, and singing at local services. Drawing from an eclectic mix of inspirations VICTOR’s dreamy releases are informed by the likes of MAC DEMARCO and CUCO, along with the rich religious and Latin music of his childhood. Impressively, VICTOR INTERNET played his first gig late last year and his sweet melancholic tracks are already amassing thousands of monthly listeners. Even more impressively? He’s only 17 years old. With his infant years as a producer already so successful, we anxiously anticipate his future endeavors.

Furious five-piece collective THY NEIGHBORS isn’t a mere musical act, it’s a refutation against the self-proclaimed “convoluted reality of the modern world.” Their discography is a brilliant response to modern struggle, an intelligent project fusing a hip-hop foundation with punk overtones provides inspiration in these tumultuous times. THY NEIGHBORS companionship shines through their work and masterfully inspires their narrative of growing up disenfranchised in Chicago. We welcome them to the Empty Bottle, and can’t wait for what stories they have in store. 

Delivering us the ultimate cathartic project, the enamoring electronic icon ZOLA JESUS returns to our stage to share a set of grief, reconciliation, and resilience. Touring her most recent release “Okovi,” ZOLA JESUS profoundly embraces the titular slavic term meaning “shackles” through her production. The album, created in a small house in the woods steps away from her childhood tree fort, is a return to personal trauma and reflection upon life and death. This sonically dark, brooding release offers a transformative journey not only for the performer, but for listeners alike. 

Entrancing artist INGA COPELAND brings us a new project from her LOLINA moniker titled “The Smoke.” In classic COPELAND style, little information or promotion accompanied the work—but certainly not to the project’s dismay. The album masterfully asserts itself through unsettling yet entrancing lyricism and quirky pop tones, a satisfying follow-up to her past 2016 release “Live in Paris.” Allow yourself to experiment with the unknown in this live set, and almost certainly be amazed. 

Sparky punk rocker GRACE VONDERKUHN is anything but forgettable, her energetic hooks cement themselves in listener’s minds and leave them entranced in her fuzzed out jams. VODERKUHN’s sonic intensity and familiar lyricism have earned her the title of one of 2018’s “first great punk records.” Supported by bassist BRIAN BARTLING and drummer DAVE MCGRORY, the furious trio embraces the labels of garage pop, glam rock, dream pop, and everything in-between. 

The talented celestial duo SPIRAL GALAXY brings forth self-proclaimed “devotional voyages” to the airwaves using a plethora of instrumentation. Everything from sitar, drones, flute, guitar and other sonically enchanting tools are used to masterfully salute the vibes of cosmonauts like CLUSTER, YATHA SIDHRA, and early Kraftwerk. Members include SARA GOSSETT on cosmic flute and acclaimed Chicago performer PLASTIC CRIMEWAVE on space guitar and banjo.