One week after Arkansas’ largest music and arts festival in downtown Little Rock’s Julius Breckling Riverfront Park, the park becomes a local hub of all-Arkansas music with the return of the Legends of Arkansas on Saturday.
The second-year, all-Arkansas music and arts festival is 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. and features an all-day and evening lineup of music from The Natural State along with arts and crafts from local artists and vendors as the nonprofit, grassroots organization celebrates the state of Arkansas. Beyond music and arts, the festival also features performers such as magicians, skateboarders and more, and interactive art, live painting, yoga, acrobatic yoga and fun for all ages. Plus, local food trucks will be on-site, and The Van, which assists the unsheltered homeless of the area, will be collecting donations during the event for the April 27 tornado relief effort.
Best of all: Admission to Legends of Arkansas is free.
The music, which starts at noon, is spread across four stages. Here’s a full rundown of who is playing where with some notes on select artists. Head to legendsofarkansas.com for more information or any schedule changes.
The Diamond Stage
(First Security Amphitheater)
Noon: Jamie Lou Thies
Originally from Florida, Thies is based in Russellville and is known for her folk singer-songwriter music.
1 p.m. Whoa Dakota
Jessica Ott is the Little Rock native who fronts this Nashville, Tennessee, rock ’n’ roll band that released their Whoa Dakota EP in March.
2 p.m. Mark Edgar Stuart
3 p.m. Kish Moody & House of Melody
4 p.m. Moonshine Mafia
Based in Hot Springs, Moonshine Mafia is a Southern rock-influenced blues band.
5 p.m. Joe Pitts Band
6 p.m. The Flatland Funk Donors
7 p.m. 607 This Little Rock-based hip-hop artist, whose given name is Adrian Tilman, is one of the most prolific musicians around as he has released close to 40 albums, including his October 2013 album NerdFromTheHood.
8 p.m. Swampbird
Swampbird’s May 2013 record On Being Alone stands out as one of the best recent efforts from an Arkansas band. The album is roots-flavored rock ’n’ roll which swerves from barroom boogie rock to front-porch country balladry.
9 p.m. Stephen Neeper & the Wild Hearts
Straight out of Glen Rose, Stephen Neeper & the Wild Hearts play rock ’n’ roll — rock ’n’ roll that is equal parts riotous and soulful.
10 p.m. Good Time Ramblers
A swift kick of country rock from Little Rock is what this outfit offers. Check out their Bigelow Strange album, which is the kind of country that would make Waylon Jennings proud.
The Crystal Stage
(The History Pavilion)
Noon: Mister Morphis
This is the one-man band of Paul Morphis, an Americana musician who sings and plays his steel string guitar and harmonica while stomping his kick drum.
1 p.m. Apple & the Hoodoo Goddess
2 p.m. Sarah Hughes
3 p.m. Freak Jones (featuring members of Starroy)
4 p.m. Charlotte Taylor
Charlotte Taylor is the powerhouse vocalist who fronts Little Rock blues group Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain.
5 p.m. John Willis
Pop-flavored, keyboard-playing singer-songwriter John Willis is a classically trained pianist who also plays pop music. Willis’ new release is titled King of the Cocktail Party, and the EP is a collection of piano-based pop, jazz and parlor music.
6 p.m. Groovecluster
Get ready to dance with the electronic dance music of Jackson Diner as he plays his electronica that is filled with psychedelic and progressive tendencies.
7 p.m. Sick Numbles
Who is this artist? As his SoundCloud site says: “I’m Nick. I’m addicted to super-engulfing psychedelic music made by tiny forest gnomes on the planet Zargax, and that is exactly what I enjoy playing.” You can also call his music atmospheric, experimental electronic dance music.
8 p.m. Cory Stardust
9 p.m. Midigator
The River Stage
Noon to 3 p.m. Kid Performers
3 p.m. Fitra
Folk music that incorporates jazz and alternative influences is what this Bryant band plays.
4 p.m. Mandy McBryde
This Little Rock singer-songwriter’s music is roots rock with nods to country and folk.
5 p.m. Weakness for Blondes
6 p.m. Black River Pearl
7 p.m. Whale Fire
The four guys of North Little Rock’s Whale Fire play a hazy, melodic take on indie rock with a touch of dream pop.
The Little Rock Stage
Noon: Oh Cathy!
1 p.m. Motion in Color
Progressive-flavored indie rock is the sound of this Conway band.
2 p.m. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
3 p.m. Talking Liberties
4 p.m. Arkatext
5 p.m. DJ Discipline and Dream Demo
6 p.m. The Machete with Love
Alternative hip-hop. Ska. Funk. Rock. This Little Rock band has it all.
7 p.m. My Brother, My Friend
Experimental indie rock is what this Conway quartet is about.
8 p.m. The Federalis
The three members of this Hot Springs band play indie rock with a nod toward Kings Of Leon and Lucero.
9 p.m. The Dangerous Idiots
Fronted by Aaron Sarlo, this trio who play gulch rock is working on their third album and have an upcoming summer tour that takes them to Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee.
10 p.m. Space Mother
Formed in October 2008, this group plays metal music that includes psychedelic elements with progressive metal guitar.