Show Preview: Royal Oak Rib, Beer & Music Fest, July 3-5

WHAT: Royal Oak Rib, Beer & Music Fest
WHEN: Friday-Sunday, July 3-5th
WHERE: Royal Oak Farmer’s Market

If you’re like me, you’re always trying to stay on top of all of the great musicians coming out of Detroit. If you’ve found your knowledge of local music slipping, then Royal Oak’s just done you a huge favor by putting on a stacked lineup of Motor City talent to entertain BBQers at the city’s Rib Fest this 4th of July weekend. Adults and kids can both come and enjoy great food from vendor, fantastic local bands, and activities like karaoke, bounce houses and monster truck rides.

Here’s a rundown of some of the top artists playing at this showcase:

The anthemic pop sound of high school twin sister duo Stereo Jane (5:30 p.m. Friday) should light up the stage on Friday evening. They’re just starting out their career, but with the success of the single “Sing It,” Stereo Jane appears to have limitless potential.

The Howling Diablos (7:30 p.m. Friday) is a band filled with Detroit flavor. Their lineup features Tino Gross, Johnny Bee Badanjek, John Evans, Mo Hollis, and Erik Gustafson with an "extended family" that includes everyone from Thornetta Davis to Uncle Kracker. Their brand of tunes can best be described as funky, rockin' blues, served up jam-style. 

The Infatuations (9:00 p.m. Friday) could soundtrack an action flick from the ’70s or your next big party in 2015. They blend a music encyclopedia’s worth of influences into one package that’s bursting at the seams with fun, positivity and funk. The title of last year’s debut LP Detroit Block Party is the best possible summary of this band’s soulful, populist appeal.

The Beggars (5:15 p.m. Saturday) are the kind of rock ‘n’ roll band that seems to have unstoppable momentum in all their songs. Their full-speed-ahead, easy to shout along to music contains just the right kind of old-school party vibe that you always need on the 4th of July.

The Muggs  (7:00 p.m. Saturday) released their new album Straight Up Boogaloo this year, and they now qualify as veterans of the Detroit scene. Their music recalls bands like Queens of the Stone Age with its hard-edged, guitar-heavy, rock.

Goober & The Peas (9:00 p.m. Saturday) bring their cowpunk sound to their cult following late on Saturday night. The band has played with a hall of fame-level list of alternative and blues superstars, but their well-earned reputation come on their music’s own merit, as they perfectly blend country music tropes with garage rock fury.

Pato Margetic (4:30 p.m. Sunday) is a singer-songwriter who adds an electronic layer to his soulful tracks. His modern grooves are dancefloor-ready, but the he can bring out the acoustic guitar and show off his folksy side, too.

Finally, Thornetta Davis (6:30 p.m. Sunday) has opened for blues and R&B legends like Etta James and Bonnie Raitt, and she’s worked with Detroit stalwarts like Bob Seger and Kid Rock. Some of her songs sound like they should belong on an Anthology of Folk Music, when it’s just her and an acoustic guitar, but Davis can add a horn section and turn it up a notch, too. With a brilliant voice and plenty of soul to spare, it’s hard to think of someone more qualified than Davis to close out the weekend.

The Inaugural Royal Oak Rib Fest takes place from July 3-5 at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market. 316 E 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Admission and parking are both free.