MACON — Mercer University's popular BearStock Music Festival returns to Tattnall Square Park for the third straight year with an action-packed concert on Saturday, April 13. The concert is free, open to the public and will feature 13 bands on two stages, playing from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. In addition, this year's event is being held in conjunction with two events: the Macon Cycling Classic, in which cyclists will circle the park in a series of races beginning at 9 a.m., and a free car show by Hearts and Heroes of Macon, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Tattnall Square Park parking lot.
“We're going to have great new day bands of a variety of different sounds, three headliners that accommodate different genres of music and vendors from across the state,” said Tasnim Ahmed, event co-organizer and co-chair of QuadWorks' Mercer Live.
For the first time since 2009, BearStock is featuring three headline acts, including The Ready Set, Travis Porter and Switchfoot. The Ready Set is the stage name for Jordan Mark Witzigreuter, an American alternative-pop singer. He is the lead vocalist and only member, though he uses a backup band while on tour. The Ready Set has released three full albums under Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz's label and is best known for the single “Love Like Woe.” Travis Porter consists of three members from Decatur and features American hip-hop. They are known for their hits “Go Shorty Go,” “Ayy Ladies,” and “Bring it Back.” Switchfoot is an American alternative rock band from California featuring five members. Originally a Christian rock band, they became known for their songs featured in the 2002 movie “A Walk to Remember.” The band's 2003 album, Beautiful Letdown, featured the hit “Dare You to Move” and sold more than 2.6 million copies. Their seventh album received a Grammy in 2011 for Best Rock Gospel Album.
“Our goal this year was to bring in lots of new artists and to have a variety of genres so that there is something to please everyone,” said Brandon Standard, co-organizer and co-chair of Mercer Live.
The bands and artists scheduled to perform at BearStock include:
12 p.m.DJB3 – Stage A
1:15 p.m.Sundollars- Stage B
1:55 p.m.The Rest Of Us- Stage A
2:35 p.m.Funk You – Stage B
3:15 p.m.Iron Jayne – Stage A
3:55 p.m.BabyBaby – Stage B
4:35 p.m.Wowser Bowsers- Stage A
5:15 p.m.The Electric Sons- Stage B
5:55 p.m.Jubee and The Morning After – Stage A
6:35 p.m.Stevens Layne – Stage B
7:20 p.m.The Ready Set- Stage A
8:25 p.m.Travis Porter – Stage B
9:30 p.m. Switchfoot – Stage A
The festival is family friendly and there will be food and drinks available for purchase. Tattnall Square Park is an alcohol-free park. There will be designated crossing areas around the park, and festival-goers are required to use these areas to cross the street. Parking will be available on the Mercer campus, accessible from the Mercer University Drive entrances of campus.
Bike Race
This year also marks the third year that BearStock will be combined with a bike race. The race will be the fourth annual Macon Cycling Classic. Saturday's races will all circle the park, with the race taking place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Macon Cycling Classic will include races for all ages, from a free kids' race to competitions for 10 year-olds to adults. For more information on the race, or to register, go to maconcrit.blogspot.com.
