T-Rex Fest returns to Grand Rapids with weekend of energetic rock music

T-Rex Fest made a triumphant return to The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids after a 13-year break, kicking off three days of live rock performances. The festival, originally an all-day outdoor event, has now transformed into a platform for a variety of heavy-hued bands from Michigan and beyond to showcase their vibrant and entertaining music.

The opening night featured Grand Rapids alt-rock/math rock band McWeakerton, who started the evening in front of an enthusiastic but modest crowd. Their stage setup included four televisions, two of which displayed the word “weak” while the others flashed “mcweakerton” against an anime-style backdrop accompanied by lo-fi music videos. The visuals were captivating and drew the audience closer to the stage.

McWeakerton’s set included crowd-favorite songs like “Lungfishopolis” and “Sleeper” from their 2018 debut album, prompting the crowd to rock out, sway, and clap along. The performance set a lively tone for the evening, setting the stage for what was to come.

As more attendees streamed in, Grand Rapids-based indie-rock/emo band Vagabonds took the stage, igniting the crowd with their grunge-filled music from their latest project, “The Pasture & The Willow,” released in 2023. The audience responded to the energetic music by grabbing drinks and immersing themselves in the band’s infectious vibes.

Long Beach, California’s rock band Standards kept the energy going with their lively performance, prompting attendees to oscillate between playing pinball, chatting, and grooving to the electrifying rock tunes. Tracks like “Buster” from their latest single and songs from the album “Fruit Galaxy,” released in the previous year, had the crowd jamming to the guitar riffs and drum beats.

Philadelphia’s Carly Cosgrove, inspired by actress Miranda Cosgrove, showcased unique guitar work paired with quirky song titles and heartfelt lyrics, creating a captivating live experience for the audience. One of the evening’s highlights was Greet Death, an indie-rock band hailing from Michigan and headlining Friday night’s lineup. Their performance not only marked the release show for their latest studio album, “Die in Love,” but also energized the crowd with their infectious new music, bringing the first night of T-Rex Fest to a close on a high note.

Attendee Elroy Meltzer described the festival’s opening night as “really just unbelievable,” highlighting the promising future of the event. T-Rex Fest is set to continue with headlining sets from other bands such as Show Me the Body, MSPAINT, A Place to Bury Strangers, and The Fever Haze over the weekend, promising a total of 13 bands performing over the course of the event. Tickets for the remaining days are available online, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss out on the electrifying performances and vibrant atmosphere of T-Rex Fest at The Pyramid Scheme!