BY SUZY STUMP for WEEKLY VOLCANO 7/18/25 |
If you’re headed to Art on the Ave this Sunday, come hungry—for food and for music. The 2025 festival is bringing a dynamic lineup across four stages, showcasing everything from soul-stirring ballads and grunge rock anthems to youth-driven cabaret and flamenco-fused hip-hop. Whether you want to sing along, dance, or just discover something new, these performers are not to be missed.
At the Real Art Stage, young talent takes the spotlight with five diverse acts, all featuring youth or alumni from Tacoma’s School of the Arts (SOTA). Among them is Michael, a raw three-piece rock ’n’ roll outfit bringing unfiltered energy to the stage. For something more experimental, don’t miss Baptationn, a self-proclaimed “Club Frat Evil Sex Metal” trio that blends chaotic riffs with punk-theatrical flair. In sharp contrast, The Curio Storyteller offers a whimsical, emotionally rich experience with their ukulele-and-cello-based cabaret storytelling. Magnolia, a five-piece indie rock group, leans into Flaming Lips–style dreamscapes, and Capala taps into the brooding grit of 1990s alt-rock with a full-throttle four-piece set.
On the Rotator Stage, soul and storytelling steal the show. Heather Jones is a voice you’ll remember long after the final note—soulful, rich, and steeped in the tradition of classic American music. One of the most compelling performers this year is Meghanne Storey, whose backstory is as powerful as her voice. A lifelong singer and songwriter, Meghanne experienced homelessness in the 1990s and turned to music as a lifeline. Her songs reflect those lived experiences—tender, resilient, and real. Check out our features page to learn about her side hustle as a singing telegram artist. Also playing the Rotator Stage is Champagne Sunday, the delightful Tacoma duo. Jessi and Jared Fredeen have crafted a sound merging the theatricality of 1990s rock with the intimacy of acoustic storytelling. Known for their vibrant stage chemistry and powerhouse vocals, this set promises to be a crowd favorite.
At O’Malley’s Stage, genre-bending performances await. Tha Wurm—aka Jeramey Abarca—fuses hip-hop with Spanish flamenco and acoustic reggae. His work as a solo artist and collaborator brings magnetic energy to the stage, and his message of unity resonates through every beat. Level Sands is a three-piece experimental rock band from Tacoma’s East Side, blending surf, alt, punk, and psych influences. For those who crave spontaneity, don’t miss Justin Tamminga and Ken Jacobsen, a Tacoma duo whose entire act is improvised. With electric cello, oud, and drums, their set is an unpredictable swirl of rhythm and melody, offering something completely different every time. Also performing are Dain Norman and The Mural Project.
The E9 Stage features Serpentfoot, with a fuzzed-out, psychedelic rock, surf, and garage flavor. The Wheelies will crank up the energy with their signature indie rock style, while the Coolers deliver raw Tacoma punk rock, putting the F.U. in fun. The Little Donuts, known as the Northwest’s premier all-Filipino Hall and Oates cover band, offer a playful and nostalgic set. Rounding out the stage is the Lumen, a group of jammers, explorers, and rhythm-makers.
Whether you plan your day by the schedule below or follow your ears to your heart’s content, Tacoma’s live music scene is sure to move you one way or another.
The E9 Stage will be located behind O’Reilly’s Auto Parts near Sixth and Pine Street. The Real Art Tacoma Stage will be at Sixth and State Street. The Rotator Creative Stage will be near Taco Time on Sixth and Junett Street. The O’Malley’s Stage will be at Sixth and Steele.
