Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on 2026-03-16
Yellowhouse | photos by Dan Ward
The wind is howling across Michigan today as spring announces its presence. The flowers are pushing up through the ground, the robins have returned, and it is time to dig out of the winter funk and get ready for summer. The best medicine to shake off the winter is live music, and the folks at Bell’s Brewery know exactly what to do.
Once again Bell’s Brewery, along with Jennifer Hudson from Sounds of the Zoo, has put together a series of concerts to promote young, emerging local artists by giving them a stage to perform on. Tonight, three young and energetic bands will take the stage, each already known locally but hoping to appeal to a larger audience.
First up is the eclectic progressive band Witches Wedding. This band brings ethereal sounds and lyrics that elicit a multitude of feelings. The first songs are instrumentals before the lead singer breaks into flowing, ghostly vocals.
Instrumentally, Witches Wedding has mastered multiple instruments, allowing the band members to shift positions throughout the performance. Members take up new instruments — the drummer plays bass, the lead guitarist moves to drums, and the bassist picks up the cello while singing. The addition of cello into the mysterious harmonies adds a sumptuous quality to the band’s sound. Witches Wedding has played many local gigs and can be found on most streaming services and Bandcamp.
Next up is Sierra Miffed, the punk power trio made up of Jena Tiller (guitar / lead vocals), Leah Shanahan (bass / backing vocals), and Katy May (drums / backing vocals). This band brings out the dance vibes with the raw energy of punk rock origins. They start off with “Ace,” then head into the punchy breakup anthem “Bigger Person.” The crowd is bouncing to the pounding drums, thumping bass, and adrenaline-driven vocals.
The band keeps the room jumping with “Ghost World,” “Don’t Worry,” and “All You Wanted.” Every song stays true to their punk rock roots. The songs are short and intense. Jena has the front-vixen role down to a science, complete with intense side-eyed glances reminiscent of Susanna Hoffs.
The band keeps going with “Banger” and “Milwood” before opening the throttle all the way with Turbonegro’s “Fist City,” setting the room on fire. They close out the set with “Can’t Keep Up.” The band has energized the crowd just in time for the final act, Yellowhouse.
One observation worth noting is how well these young musicians have worked together to pack the most music into a single night. Each band uses Yellowhouse’s drum set, and all of the larger gear — like amps — has been stacked in a way that allows for quick removal after each set. This arrangement lets the bands swap gear so quickly that the music barely stops reverberating in the room before the next band launches into its set.
Yellowhouse is the five-piece power rock band that evokes the spirit of straightforward rock from the ’70s and ’90s. The set starts with “Goldfish,” “Macaroni Western,” and “Tell Me,” all subtle like a freight train roaring through a thunderstorm. Colin Frieban and Drew Jepson spar on guitar while Sam VanWinkle lays down the bottom end on bass. Yellowhouse electrifies the room with “June,” “Love Sprawl,” and “Opposite.”
Nick Loken is a force on the drums, playing with the precision of a finely tuned machine. Out front, Lucy Wallis combines energetic dancing with powerful vocals while interacting with the fans. Yellowhouse brings a vitality that seems endless throughout their show. The guitarist and bassist bounce into the air, the drummer beats the skins like they owe him money, and Lucy flings her hair side to side.
“Sea Dogs,” “Summer Fall,” and “Sunset” keep that same spirit flowing. The night is filled with high energy and good vibes, but eventually the show reaches its end. Yellowhouse bids farewell with “Popcorn,” though the energy in the room makes it feel more like a beginning than a conclusion. Look these artists up on all streaming platforms and see for yourself just how good local music can be.
