An electrifying live band that has a funky, fresh new sound with a mix of reggae, hip-hop, rock-n-roll, and heavy in the funk that all ages will dig! Their live shows are incredibly energetic and are one of a kind. The soul and energy are unmatched, and the musicality is top-notch. U.R.B. has won awards for Best Live Band, Best Hip-hop Act, and Best Funk. Currently located in Ft. Wayne, Indiana the boys are killing stages across the Midwest. With a continuously evolving sound, you can see U.R.B. in any combination of 2 to 9 members. This is the reason they stay on top. The band has been together for over ten years, and you see that in their live shows made up of a variety of musical veterans. U.R.B. is all about “getting it on”. We are so excited to have them headlining our stage again!
LEFT LANE CRUISER IS AN AMERICAN BLUES ROCK BAND FROM FORT WAYNE, INDIANA. The band comprises Fredrick "Joe" Evans IV on guitar and vocals with Brenn Beck on drums and back up vocals. We are so happy to welcome them back to the stage this year!
Rhythm Bloom is a dynamic five-piece band blending funk, jazz, and Afro-Cuban fusion. Inspired by legends like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Joshua Redman, and Michel Camilo, we bring a fresh, high-energy approach to their timeless compositions. Our members come from diverse professional backgrounds, united by a deep dedication to the craft and a passion for delivering electrifying, virtuosic live performances. Based in Fort Wayne, IN, we’re thrilled to share our unique reimaginings of these iconic sounds with audiences everywhere!
Indie-Folk songwriter, Adam Baker, has been engaging listeners with songs of love, loss & everyday situations for over a decade now. A vocalist, multi-instrumentalist & producer, Adam is currently working on his third, currently untitled full length release as well as an EP with The High Freqs. At solo performances you can expect to hear unique song structures, well crafted vocal melodies and live looped instrumentation. Adam studied music at IPFW and currently plays locally in Fort Wayne, IN
THE WAILHOUNDS
The Wailhounds are our favorite Psychedelic, Funk, Hip Hop, Alt., Alt Country, All-around Gitdown-Party Band. The Wailhounds take the culture of stoner, hippie-rock to levels reached for, but not actually attained by, all the legends – The Allman Brothers Band, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Traffic, Santana, Phish, The Dave Matthews Band, and scores of other Festival worthy artists with loyal, rabid, devout followings.
Just Jill!
Playing by ear, Jill began learning the keys as a child before picking up the guitar in her late 20s. She soon started writing her own music and performing solo gigs, eventually fronting several bands. Today, Jill continues to share her music through acoustic solo performances and as a harmony vocalist for Pink Droyd.
Grateful Groove is all about perpetuating the good vibes in the area by recreating the music of the Grateful Dead. This music never stops. They have played the Solfest stage as long as we can remember!
Craig Guy Band
Augmentasia
Augmentasia is a six-piece band based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that mixes the smooth flow of R&B with the groove of funk and soul! Their vibrant stage presence and soulful funk have quickly gained a loyal following. Performing at this year’s Solfest Music Festival, join Dave Ealy, Chrishawn Sadler, Alex Cottrell, Tommy Mcloughlin, Henry Jordan lll, and Darest Williams in an incredible opportunity for Augmentasia to share their music passion with the Fort Wayne community!
Dan Dickerson of Harp Condition grew up playing music and formed his first band, Magic Company, at the age of 11. As a teenager, he was introduced to the Marx Brothers where the Harp Condition began. In the movie Duck Soup, Harpo Marx took apart a piano and began to play it like a harp. From there, it was game on. Dan began looking around for an old piano to which he could do the same. Sandy Dickerson, Dan’s mom, caught wind of his idea and, being a naturally crafty lady and having a knack for working with wood, decided she would make him a harp. She ordered a kit from Music Makers and, in no time, the instrument was in Dan’s hands. Dan continued to play the harp and guitar in numerous bands through the 90’s and 2000’s, and currently plays locally in Ft. Wayne. He has performed at Solfest since the very beginning!
SUN.DYLE is a Fort Wayne, Indiana based 5-piece ensemble that radiates the warmth of jazz, the enchanting vibes of neo-soul, and the rhythmic heartbeats of R&B. Consisting of vocalist Emma Torres, drummer Carlos Rosa, Ashton Morris on sax, Ben Beutel on bass and Ben Francis on keys, SUN.DYLE hails from diverse musical backgrounds and converge to create a harmonious blend of genres that persuades the listener to feel, think and transcend.
Shelly Dixon
Sunny Taylor has more than twenty years of experience performing in the Midwest at a variety of venues and festivals. Performing solo, as well as in her own band, she has become adaptable, proficient, and successful in delighting and engaging her audiences, while occasionally stepping into the outer boundaries of stand-up comedy. Aside from performing and writing, Sunny teaches guitar, ukulele, and songwriting to kid’s ages 5 to 75. She has been performing for Solfest for as long as we can remember!
With Special Appearance by Patti Whitemoss!
Also known on stage as “Gracie Jo,” embodies a message of Love, to bring healing to the communities and Earth around her. She is a self-made, original singer/songwriter. Her uplifting songs of Love, Joy, Struggle and Pain are pillars of balance and grounding for the forward movement of the World. She is here with stories in her songs that contribute Love in her communities and hometowns. Schurger and Cook collaborated in June 2022, and recently worked on an album combining their musical talents. Their first official live performance together was at Solfest 2022!