Inclement weather couldn’t stop music festival from rocking the town

by Dan Holland

The third-annual Broadview Heights Music Festival, which was originally scheduled for Aug. 11-12 but canceled due to inclement weather, was rescheduled and held Aug. 18 at the city amphitheater.

The show included headlining act The Michael Weber Show, fronted by guitar phenom and multi-instrumentalist Michael Weber, whose achievements include winning MTV’s “Amazingness” television talent/variety show in 2018 at the age of 20. He has performed with music acts such as Ace Frehley, Gin Blossoms, Lita Ford, The Wallflowers, Mark Farner, Counting Crows, Nils Lofgren and many others. Weber also plays guitar with late-Cleveland icon Michael Stanley’s Resonators and MSB bandmates in the “The Michael Stanley Songbook.”

Cleveland-area indie-rockers Terrycloth Mother opened the festival with two sets of eclectic original material.

Weber, who is originally from the Akron area, said he realized shortly before the festival that he had performed in Broadview Heights 10 years prior at the age of 15.

Highlights of his two-hour-long set included original material from Weber’s past and upcoming albums, along with show staples including Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” and the show-ending “Maggot Brain” recorded in 1971 by the Funkadelics.

“I appreciate the city of Broadview Heights, and I appreciate anyone that wants to hear live music – in particular live original music like we play – that’s a special thing,” said Weber. “When people have their own thing to say and people want to listen to it, that means a lot to me. I’m very thankful to Broadview Heights for having us out here; to Mayor Alai and everyone who is part of this event tonight.”

The city operated a tent selling a variety of beverages including beer, wine and water during the event, which was sponsored by the Broadview Heights Community Foundation with support from a number of local businesses and organizations.

A food truck was provided by Wheely Good Food. Local vendors on hand included Hammered DIY Studio & Gifts, Jenns Homemade Candles, Peak Screenprinting and psychic April Mitchell. ∞

Photo: The Michael Weber Show, fronted by guitar phenom and multi-instrumentalist Michael Weber, whose achievements include winning MTV’s “Amazingness” television talent/variety show in 2018 at the age of 20, headlined the festival. Photos by D. Holland.