Back for its third year, Grid City Music Festival hosted local music across Salt Lake City, Aug. 23-25. A free event, this festival gives space to 54 local bands on seven different stages throughout the city. On their opening night, I had the opportunity to speak with the headline act, The Plastic Cherries, about just how important it is to be a part of the local music scene.
“This is our first time playing for Grid City,” Shelby Maddock, the band’s lead singer, said. “We love playing festivals. Getting to know other local Salt Lake bands and connecting with the audience [is so] exciting.”
Joe Maddock, who plays lead guitar, added the festival is a great way to “expand our audience.”
“Because there might be several different genres,” he said. “Like this, there’s a lot of country rock, so there will probably be some folks here who haven’t heard us before.”
This Band Is Cosmic
“The Plastic Cherries” consist of band members Shelby and Joe Maddock, Wayne Burdick (drums), Natalie Hamilton (keys) and Stephen Cox (bass). As the band has emerged from the growing scene here in Salt Lake, their psychedelic glam rock sound will take you to faraway places and leave you wanting more.
When asked how it’s been for the band to grow in the scene Shelby Maddock said, “Salt Lake is the greatest city in the world. The community has been nothing but supportive to us. We love connecting with other local bands. We love the people who are responding to the music and opening themselves up to receive what we’re doing. We feel lucky and grateful to be Salt Lake locals.”
These Cherries Are Sweet
The band definitely has something fun to share and Grid City is here to be that outlet for them.
“Festivals and shows we book ourselves are different because there’s more variety at a festival,” Joe Maddock said. “You’re more likely to reach new people and grow your audience … they’re both great and we’re really fortunate to be doing this show.”
If you’ve attended a music festival in any capacity, then you know just how far these bands can go. It’s a space unlike any other to be in.
“[At festivals like this], everyone is inspiring each other and supporting other bands,” Cox said.
Burdick added that being a part of the vibrant SLC music scene is a big plus of the festival.
“There are a lot of great artists in the local scene which is awesome to be a part of,” he said.
Time and time again, the Salt Lake scene has proved to reach way above the standard from crowd reactions, band performances, returning artists, and the list goes on. Salt Lake is the place to be for music.
“The community feeling [is unlike anything else.] Everyone looks out for each other. We found some like-minded bands to look out for us and support us. Salt Lake is amazing,” Joe Maddock said.
If you weren’t fortunate enough to catch “The Plastic Cherries” at The Commonwealth Room for this show, do not fear. “The Plastic Cherries” will be on tour with their latest album, “On The Moon” Aug. 30 – Sept. 13. There will also be a Halloween show hosted at The State Room, on Oct. 31, where you can catch the ethereal sounds of these Salt Lake musicians.
