WHYS
Music Festival
Lineup 2025
Uncommon Denominator
Midwest's professional party band, playing your favorite hits from the 1960's to now. Proudly hailing from the music scene of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, we stand as the premier professional party band for audiences all over the midwest. Composed of a full rhythm section - keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, along with a three-piece horn section featuring saxophone, trumpet, and trombone, all harmonized by the vocal talents of two singers.
Showtime: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Pretend Friend
Pretend Friend is a nationally touring progressive bluegrass and folk band based in Wichita, Kansas. Focused on creating original music, Pretend Friend melds captivating lyrics and soulful melodies into timeless songs. The blending of traditional familiarity with improvised jams, driving bluegrass, vocal harmonies, and anthemic choruses only begins to encompass the soundscape created by the genre-bending acoustic group. Pretend Friend has opened for acts such as Bela Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, Yonder Mountain String Band, Fruition, and Arkansauce, and their high-energy sets have been sought after by festivals such as Walnut Valley Festival, Blue Ox Music Festival, Hillberry Music Festival, Kaw River Roots Fest, McAwesome Fest, Lake Erie Folk Fest, and more.
Pretend Friend is Grant Boesen on lead vocals and guitar, Evan Ogborn on mandolin and vocals, Caleb Drummond on upright bass and vocals, and Rami Stucky on drum set.
Showtime: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Matt Caflisch
His sincere, affable folk-pop is enlivened by his vivid words, as on the poignant single Simple Wide Trailer, which recounts his Wisconsin youth. Matt, who is originally from Eau Claire, will be playing WHYSFest with his band.
Facebook: facebook.com/matt.caflisch
Showtime: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
The Pistol Whippin Party Penguins
This group from Minneapolis consists of 6 gentlemen, 2 guitars, a mandolin, a bucket of fiddles, bass, wheatstick drums, and a 4-part vocal harmony that will make a grown man cry. They play traditional american music while also exploring new original music and creative cover songs. The combination of folk, rock, blues, and bluegrass creates an experience that anyone can enjoy.
Showtime: 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
The WHYS Radio Contra Dance Band
Mattie Rynkiewicz - Caller
Isaiah May – Fiddle
Ralph Suechting - Guitar
Jamie Bowers - Acoustic Bass
Jim Nelson - Guitar
Contra dancing is a form of couple dancing that is easy and fun, and can be done by people of any age and dancing ability.
Showtimes: 3:30-4:30PM, 5:00-5:30PM, 6:30-7:00PM (contra dance tent)