BELLVILLE — The crowd for night two of Mansfield Music Fest filtered in to celebrate the city’s beloved musical acts at Snow Trails on Saturday night.
Musicians like Symphony In Peril, Weed Demon, and Sink The Ship traveled from Columbus and Cleveland to share their talents. But most acts remained close to their stomping grounds to play.
Hardcore band, Ill Will kicked off the night around 5 p.m., with vocalist Jerrick Feagin encouraging the crowd to, through a message before a song, “just be a good person.”
All artists expressed their gratitude for each person that soaked in each chord strummed on guitar and each lyric, whether screamed or sung, enunciated.
Some music fans came to listen passively, and absorb the social atmosphere while discovering some new sound. Others came to hear the music intently, and put all their energy and focus into listening.
Jeff Ritz, nicknamed the “Bob Dylan of Mansfield,” and his band followed the heavy Ill Will on the lodge stage, with acoustic tunes accompanied by a hand-held drum and incredible riffs on the bass guitar. Hip-hop artist and North Carolina native Dotti Lyne drew an excited crowd on the outside stage with songs like “Dripper of the Year” and “Check Out.”
Every 30 minutes a fresh set would begin, altering between the indoor and outdoor stages. And like an army, the crowd marched to and fro between venues to make sure it got a taste of each musician. Hypnotized, their heads swung in unison, up and down to the beat.
Country act County Line followed, belting moody, heartfelt tunes with an acoustic guitar. Chico’s Brother and The Foster Kidz played next, and with each stomp Aurelio Diaz’s foot made, the bells attached to his boot would ring.
“Excuse me, do you know the name of that band? My wife loves them!”
Spectators shared many similar sentiments, like “Oh my gosh, I wish I heard them sooner!” and “Why don’t more people know about them?”
Hip-hop artist GMT Armani, who has performed alongside rappers like Lil Baby and G Herbo, brought in a large crowd, managing to pump up the audience even more and keep the energy going for the next seven bands.
Next was indie/math-rock band Narrow/Arrow, followed by Weed Demon, a sludge band from Columbus.
The crowd only grew bigger and the music louder as the night continued.
Hardcore band Divebomb’s Jake Henry requested a circle pit, to which the crowd obeyed, head banging and thrashing excitedly to the rhythm.
Indie band Oddepoxy was next, and the genre for the remainder of the night was metal.
Columbus band Symphony In Peril played their first show since 2006. Then there was Bonesaw, who’s been on the scene for more than 10 years. Sink The Ship was the final band to play, ending the incredible weekend that was Mansfield Music Fest 2022.
Mansfield Music Fest has been alive since 2010, with no plans of stopping. To learn more about the event and show your support, check out the Facebook page.
Listen to the artists from day two here:
Ill Will | Jeff Ritz | Dotti Lyne | Chico’s Brother & The Foster Kidz | County Line | Narrow/Arrow | GMT Armani | Weed Demon | Divebomb | Oddepoxy | Symphony In Peril | Bonesaw | Sink The Ship |
