Rock in Detroit recently spoke to John Salvage about the amazing Hamtramck Blowout. To find out more about the Blowout (including info about the music schedule), check out https://hamtramckblowout.com/.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Tell us a bit about yourself. What sort of involvement have you had with the Detroit music scene generally?
Salvage: I’m a musician who’s been based in Detroit for close to 14 years, with 12 of them being in Hamtramck specifically. I’ve played in the bands New Twenty Saints, Radio Burns and Mexican Knives, and currently am a solo performer as well as a proud member of Yeji Boys. Yej.
ROCK IN DETROIT: What role do you play in organizing the Hamtramck Blowout? How did you get involved in it? How many people are involved in making the Blowout happen?
Salvage: The committee for Hamtramck Blowout consists of myself, Jeremy Duncan, Jeff Fournier, Andrew Hecker, Jeff Jablonski, Konrad Maziarz, John Szymanski, Matt Van and Frank Woodman, all individuals that have a long history of playing in bands in the Detroit area and promoting events. I came into the fold after the initial idea last year as there was needed assistance with last minute planning, something I was told by an inebriated committee member, when driving them home from the bar, who shall remain nameless. This year my focus in the group has been booking a select amount of venues and any needed logistics (as everyone in the committee does).
ROCK IN DETROIT: Can you give us some of the numbers? How many days? How many venues? How many bands? How many people are expected? How much money to attend?
Salvage: The 2025 Hamtramck Blowout will take place from Thursday, March 20 to Saturday, March 22. This year we have 25 venues across the great city of Hamtramck that will host over 200 bands. Wristbands for the weekend are $40 and can be purchased online at www.hamtramckblowout.com, as well as in person at the Fowling Warehouse, Detroit Threads, Kelly’s Bar, and other various venues. Last year we were fortunate enough to sell 1,500 wristbands and this year we are expecting to sell 2,000-2,500.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Could you fill in the blank? The Hamtramck Blowout is probably, in terms of bands and venues, the biggest music festival in all of ____________.
Salvage: March 2025
ROCK IN DETROIT: Can you give some of the history of the Blowout? For how many years has it been going on? Have there been predecessor Hamtramck music events? Do you have any sponsors?
Salvage: The original Hamtramck Blowout was created and hosted by the Metro Times and was in existence from 1998-2014 (with the last two years shifting to venues in Detroit and Ferndale). Starting in the late 2010s the Hamtramck Music Fest was created to fill the void which lasted until early 2020s (apologies for not knowing the exact years). In early 2024 a group of madmen decided that they wanted to try pull off bringing back the name and magic of the original Hamtramck Blowout, and somehow managed to not only pull it off but expand it for 2025 and garner sponsors from WDET, Third Man Records and Eastown Distributors.
ROCK IN DETROIT: So—back to numbers—about how many bands apply to play? What is the selection criteria? Have you, or anyone on the Committee, managed to listen to music of all the bands playing?
Salvage: This year we had 272 submissions. Not every act that is playing submitted though, as bars/venues always have first option to book their shows themselves if they prefer. However, a significant majority of the acts playing were acts that submitted. At least three of us went through and listened to every submission to select acts. I can’t really speak to specific criteria as to what was selected. Mostly just seeing what would fit together for each venue is the best answer I could give.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Do the bands that play get paid? If so, how is the amount determined?
Salvage: Acts will get paid all upon wristband sales. We boosted the price from last year as it was all volunteer to help with the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival. This year we want to compensate the acts fairly.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Would you describe the music as basically “rock,” or is it broader than that?
Salvage: It is most certainly not just a “rock” festival. This year we have a broad range of acts that include electronica, experimental, and folk/country, with garage/punk/rock bands fully in the mix. We intentionally tried to expand the genres on display this year, and will continue to attempt do so in the future.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Do you have any acts that you consider to be headlining the festival?
Salvage: Everyone playing the Blowout this year is local, no outside headliners. That being said, the Metro Times recently just did a great article on the festival that has featured acts which I would direct people to who are unfamiliar with the music scene.
ROCK IN DETROIT: The Blowout ends March 22. When do you start planning for Blowout 2026?
Salvage: Hopefully fall 2025
ROCK IN DETROIT: And finally the question everyone is wondering about: Do you have tips about parking?
Salvage: Two words: Good luck!
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