Oigs Fest hits Lansing

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Lansing’s chiropractors will be working overtime next week, as many heads are likely to bang when the second Oigs Fest comes to town Saturday.

“It’s like Christmas for metal,” Grave Leech vocalist Clint Harkness said. “Everyone gets together on this day once a year, to listen, play, and talk metal all day.”

Oigs Fest is the spiritual successor to the annual Lansing extreme music showcase Ogre Fest, which pulled off an entire decade of successful shows, before it was retired.

Ogre Fest was highly regarded by the Michigan metal community. It provided an opportunity for fans to network, while enjoying a carefully planned line-up of bands.

“Every year you went, you would see something new,” Ogre Fest founder Dave Peterman said. “And we always kept it affordable.”

The concert series was curated during its original decade-long incarnation by Peterman, who decided to leave the festival behind in 2015. Peterman will still appear at Oigs Fest, performing with his band Locust Point.

Enter Brad van Staveren, who often assisted Peterman in putting together Ogre Fest. Now he’s continuing Peterman’s work. Staveren said he’s streamlined the festival, without sacrificing the opportunity to give Michigan metal bands a platform.

“Ogre Fest was always a fun time for the community, with all the metal bands coming together from across town and state,” Staveren said. “We’re gonna continue that with Oigs Fest.”

So who’s on the bill? Staveren said he wanted to incorporate several subgenres.

Oigs Fest features 12 artists: The Bloody Lips, Centenary, Cruthu, Drink Their Blood, Grave Leech, Jackpine Snag, Locust Point, No Breaks, The Mound Builders, Recorruptor, The Revenant and Stonecutters.

The headlining set will come from Stonecutters, a metal outfit from Louisville, Kentucky. Stonecutters have come up to Michigan several times, and have become an out-of-town favorite. They’ve already played Mac’s at least five times.

“We love that place,” Stonecutters guitarist and vocalist Brian Omer said. “It’s a home away from home.”

Those anxious to see Stonecutters in action, will have to hang around Mac’s until about midnight.

“If I catch anyone leaving before Stonecutters, I will tag and bag them myself,” said Jacob Nevin, former host of Impact FM’s metal show Thee Hourz O’ Power.

The fest will feature Lansing staples and a handful of newcomers.

Stalwarts like Centenary and the Revenant have long since established themselves in the Lansing metal scene. Recorruptor and Grave Leech, both relatively new, should perform exciting sets. Recorruptor is on a hot streak, after sharing bills with several national acts, such as Morbid Angel and Battlecross.

Oigs Fest 2018 Mac’s Bar, Lansing

Saturday, January 13

3 p.m.—2 a.m.

$10 Advance, $13 at the door

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