The Crofoot was chosen as this year’s venue for the 4th annual Berserker Festival, on April 14th and 15th in Pontiac, Michigan. With a grand theater and multiple rooms, The Crofoot was the perfect place to house 30 bands over two days. With side stages set up in the Pike Room and Vernors Room respectively, there was always something to see throughout the evening.
Running a tight schedule, with bands overlapping, all that was needed was a short walk from room to room, and the music never stopped. Friday night saw local artists S.N.A.F.U., and Ohio natives F.Y.P.M, and Artillery Breath set the tone for Ringworm, Negative Approach, and OFF!.
Closing the night Friday was Eyehategod, which featured the return of Mike IX Williams. The lead singer has been off since having surgery back in 2016. With this being his first live performance with the band in a while, E.H.G. brought everything they had and left it all on the stage.
Saturday picked up right where Friday left off, with non-stop music from the time doors opened, with Weedeater, and the Obsessed setting the tone for headliner GWAR to take the stage in what one can only witness to believe. Known to be extremely satirical, lined with political views and violent humor, only true GWAR followers knew what to expect. Starting the show with the beheading of a cartoon ex-president Obama, and continuing on through other political people, no one was safe – especially Donald Trump. Halfway through the show, a cartoon Trump had his rib cage ripped open and was gutted live before the audience, spraying fake blood everywhere.
Overall this festival brought a lot of good bands together under one roof in a genre that doesn’t get enough coverage. Fans were able to meet most bands on the bill throughout the weekend, and local bands that were new to some, were able to pick up some new fans!
