Photo: The crowd at one of the two stages at last year’s Imagination Festival
This year’s Pure Imagination Festival will once again bring a mix of music to beautiful Watson Lake Park in Prescott on Saturday, May 17.
The headliner will be the classic rock band Cheap Trick. The band originated in 1973 with lead singer Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielson, bassist Tom Peterson, and drummer Bun E. Carlos. The only original member not playing with the band these days is the drummer Carlos. Daxx Nielson, the son of Rick Nielsen has been the drummer for the band since 2010.
The band continues to tour with an average of 80 shows a year, and have performed over 4000 concerts in their 52nd year of existence. That is why they have the reputation as one of rock’s longest touring bands.
Seeing the band multiple times through the years myself has always been a good gig. The classic tunes still resonate on vinyl with a sound of yesteryear but always with a sense of freshness live. If you have seen them, you know what you’re in for. If you have not, your treat is right around the corner. Be ready to submerge yourself with some of the very best in rock music.
Another group I have caught over the years is The English Beat. The Beat, for short, was formed in 1978 and has been a steady presence since 2006. Dave Wakeling is the band’s lead singer who also gave us one half of the duo in General Public with the hit “Tenderness”. The English Beat’s most popular single in the states is “Save It For Later” that was released in 1982 followed by “I Confess”. The band had five top 10 hits in the UK. Look and listen up for some upbeat music to get grooving with.
There are plenty of other bands in the lineup that you will give you the opportunity to catch that cover a wide range of musical talents.
Arrested Development is a hip hop group formed in Atlanta during the late 1980s with three top 10 hits coming in the early 90s.
Matisyahu is also a hip hop, and reggae artist, who broke on the scene in 2000 and has seven top 10 hits to his credit.
Gone Gone Beyond is described as a mesmerizing future folk band and has played at many festivals including Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, and Red Rocks.
Country singer Kelsey Waldon has released five albums with her fourth titled White Noise/White Lines reaching #8 on the U.S. Heatseekers chart.
Bird and Byron are an indie rock and soul duo based out of Nashville with 28 singles released.
Pondersosa Grove is a local band here in Prescott and has been compared to a contemporary Fleetwood Mac or Queen. The band won the Music Prize competition in Louisiana in 2021.
Kids in America is an unforgettable 1980s tribute band that will take you back in time to one of the best decades in music. Having an enormous amount of material to play could be for one of, if not the lengthiest set.
Pijama Piyama have been called the pied pipers of psychedelic cumbia. The six member band is led by Phoenix native Jonathan Saillant.
Dutch Holly is an indie alternative duo that released their first music in 2015. Their most recent single is “Let the Light In.”
Be sure to take advantage of one of the most beautiful places around to enjoy a live concert event.
More information, including tickets, are available at Pure Imagination Festival
