"I don't know what it is about Hoosiers, but wherever you go there is always a Hoosier doing something important there." - Kurt Vonnegut
Japanese Breakfast performing at the 2022 Granfalloon I Credit: Indiana University
Granfalloon?
Granfalloon–a term coined by Indiana-born author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. in his book Cat’s Cradle–is an arts festival presented by the Indiana University Arts and Humanities Council. The festival is inspired by and honors Vonnegut, a Hoosier. Located in Bloomington, IN, the Granfalloon runs June 6th-11th with writers’ conferences, art exhibits, craft vending, music acts, and other opportunities to become involved with the energetic festivity fun.
"The Granfalloon brings together musicians, artists, thinkers, and good people from all walks of life for a celebration of art, ideas, and community." - Indiana University.
hoorah for the arts!
Let me paint you a picture of Indiana University's Granfalloon! It's June--the air is cool, the sky is a bright blue, and the sun is shining. As you enter Kirkwood Avenue, you're greeted by an energetic and bustling scene full of music, literature, and art. Throughout the festival, you can buy tickets and or freely attend various different writing conferences, literature conversations, and book readings. On June 10th, you can find yourself strolling through the craft-filled Bloomington Handmade Market. From the market, you'll probably end up purchasing a cool shirt, a breathtaking painting, or a funny cat-themed stationary card (that is if you are me!).
I can't forget to tell you about the food! All along Kirkwood Avenue, you can dine in or order from different restaurants, food trucks, or, if your sweet tooth is begging for a treat, several ice cream, juice, and dessert vendors are on site as well.
From conferences talking about AI, technology exhibits, free repair stations, movie screenings, theatrical events, and much more artistic fun, the Granfalloon has everything your heart needs.
Car Seat Headrest at the 2022 Granfalloon Credit: Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian
Hold on - what kind of music?
As for music, the Granfalloon has it all. Throughout the festival, you can expect to catch one or two spectacular music performances, like:
Son Lux, an experimental indie band, wrote several songs for the seven-Oscar-winning film, Everything Everywhere All at Once. Son Lux, as well as KAINA, a hip hop/alt/soul/indie artist from Chicago, IL, will hit Buskirk-Chumley Theater's stage on June 9th.
Langhorne Slim, an alt/indie singer-songwriter, and his opener, record producer/singer Pat Kearns, will perform at the Bluebird Nightclub on June 9th.
In general, this year’s Granfalloon offers a great lineup of varied performances from different indie artists. Mark Bingham, Salo Pallini, Daniel Villarreal, Girls Rock Bloomington, Billy Pilgrim and the Earthlings, and David T. James, are all other expected performances scheduled throughout the Granfalloon.
June 10th, however, marks the main stage concert, which features:
the flaming lips
From Oklahoma City, OK, The Flaming Lips plays in a wide range of music genres, like, neo-psychedelia and psychedelic/experimental
/alt/indie rock. Their lyricism is often blunt but poetic with its messages. Their song, “Do you Realize??” was inspired by a close friend of the band passing away. Throughout the song, The Flaming Lips ask the listeners, “Do you realize // That everyone you know someday will die?” The Flaming Lips perform with a mixture of genuine Credit: George Salisbury
honesty, trippy poetry, and psychedelic
instrumentalism. It only makes perfect sense for
The Flaming Lips to headline the exuberant wonder
and excitement of Granfalloon.
arrested development
Vonnegut’s work emphasized a positive outlook on civic surroundings, spending time to think for yourself, and feeding your spirit the creativity it needs. Arrested Development, an Atlanta-formed hip-hop/rap group often spreading positivity in their music, is another perfect headliner for the Granfalloon main stage. Formed in 1988, the group offered a happier, Afrocentric alternative to the gangsta rap genre, which was wildly popular at the time. Their album, Credit: SPIN Magazine
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days in the Life Of…
(appropriately named after how long it took
Arrested Development to attain a record deal),
strives for equality, humanitarianism, and Black unity.
The album and band showcase uplifting and inspiring
lyrics still spiritually felt to this day.
Indigo de Souza
Indigo De Souza is an indie rock artist with an illuminating voice and a strong lyrical mind. De Souza is from North Carolina and started making music at nine years old. Her most recent album, Any Shape You Take, is an ecstatic, confessional trip into De Souza’s life. From soft and slow to uncanny and emotionally heightened, her songs become unpredictable yet familiar. De Souza harmonically matches the youthful, joyful summer experience of Granfalloon– Credit: Charlie Boss
her music is sure to blow the crowd away on the
main stage.
well, what are you waiting for?
My first Granfalloon was last year, with headliners NNAMDI, Japanese Breakfast, and Car Seat Headrest. The performances were amazing! Besides the main stage concert, I also ate lunch at a local restaurant nearby, enjoyed some chocolate ice cream, walked around the indie craft fair, and took in the wonderful scenery of the environment. With good food, beautiful weather, fun crafts, incredible music performances, and even a picture with a huge Vonnegut lookalike, I was at peace at this once-in-a-summer Granfalloon.
Kurt Vonnegut and I at the 2022 Granfalloon!
Seriously, what are you waiting for? Get your ticket to Granfalloon today!
Credit: Indiana University
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