Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

Taylor Greenshields didn’t anticipate he’d be doing Fun Fest this long.

The Ypsilanti audio engineer, producer, and drummer started the annual event in 2021 after envisioning Frog Island Park’s amphitheater as the ideal space for an outdoor music festival.

“Yeah, it’s crazy that it’s the fifth year,” said Greenshields, who’s curating and hosting the event on August 9. “The first year was like a test run, and then seeing people enjoy the fest so much the next couple years, I had to keep it going.”

Since then, he’s featured an eclectic group of local artists performing at Fun Fest, including Travis Auckerman, Stormy Chromer, Ki5, The Macpodz, Thornetta Davis, and others.

“It’s almost like the festival is its own organism at this point,” said Greenshields, also the owner and operator of Fundamental Sound Co., an Ypsilanti-based recording studio.

“The festival has grown in many ways over the years by having different activities for kids [and] all sorts of different vendors, bands, and artists. Just the word getting around about the festival has really evolved over the last few years [as well].”

Now, he’s gearing up for the fifth edition of Fun Fest, which includes returning acts Al Bettis, Dani Darling, Ma Baker, and Violet Sol. It also features the new additions of Marcus Elliot, Peter Madcat Ruth’s C.A.R.Ma Quartet, and Jacuzzi Beach to the festival’s lineup.

“I want to keep the lineup different every year, but wanted to bring back some of the staples from the first couple Fun Fests,” he said. “I like how Marcus represents Detroit and Madcat represents Ann Arbor, and we are bringing them together in the middle in Ypsi.”

I recently did an email interview with Greenshields ahead of the festival.

Q: How are preparations coming along for Fun Fest? 

A: It’s been a busy summer, and I try my best to balance my work/play time. It’s hard to plan a festival while also doing other festivals around the same time.

Q: Ypsilanti’s Frog Island Park has been the site for Fun Fest since it started. How has it become the best location for experiencing the festival each year? 

A: Frog Island [Park’s] amphitheater is an amazing space for a concert. That stage was what made me start this festival in the first place. I would hang out at the park all the time and never saw anybody use that stage, so I decided to do something. And now it’s one of my favorite places to mix, not only because it sounds great, but the atmosphere is amazing, [with it] being surrounded by trees next to the river!

Q: The year’s festival includes a lineup of music from several Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Detroit acts. What do you enjoy most about featuring these acts at Fun Fest? 

A: This year’s lineup is a mixture of bands I have been working with in the studio throughout the year or have been collaborating with recently. Besides Peter Madcat Ruth, this is my first time working with him, but I have been a fan [of him]. I have been honored to work with Marcus Elliot on his Sounds From the Park series around Detroit, where we are recording six live performances at Detroit parks throughout the summer.

Dani Darling, Jacuzzi Beach, and Violet Sol have all been working on new music with me in the studio. In the past, I have booked some acts like Thornetta Davis and the Gabriel Brass Band, who have a history with the park as they played the Frog Island Jazz and Blues Fest years ago. So I kinda like having a mix of younger artists and more established artists.

Q: You’ve added Resonate Bodies Healing and Circus Acts to Fun Fest. How will their aerial performances enhance the overall Fun Fest experience for attendees? 

A: This year’s fest will feature aerial performances in between the last three sets of music. I’m so excited for everyone to witness their magical performances in that space! I have been mixing at Springtide Revival for the last three years, and that’s a super cool fest put on by Resonant Bodies Healing and Circus Acts. [I wanted] to showcase aerial with live music [to create] an overall whimsical vibe. I thought I’d like to share a little bit of what they do with everyone at Fun Fest. This will hopefully provide a really cool visual to the sonic feast we have planned.

Q: What types of activities will be available during the festival that day? 

A: We will have face painting and other activities for kids! And you might even see Spider-Man make an appearance!

Q: You’re having a Fun Fest after-party at Ziggy’s with Chill Place and Tikimen of Berlin. How has the after-party become a vital part of the Fun Fest experience? 

A: The after-party has always been a fun way to end the night. Taking the party to a different location gives the rest of the night a different feel. Plus, it gives people a chance to get a drink and support Ziggy’s, as it is a huge part of the music ecosystem. Chill Place will set the tone with their very chill neo-soul/R&B vibe. And then coming up at midnight, Tikimen of Berlin will destroy the stage with their own brand of otherworldly electronic bassoon jazz.

Q: What does the future look like for Fun Fest? 

A: Not sure what the future holds for Fun Fest. I will do some deep reflection after the festival this year and see where it goes. Maybe a biannual festival? A location change? I would love to do a multiple-day festival or a multiple-stage festival in the future, but it’s hard enough doing one day. I have some other ideas for potential events in the future, so we will see!

Q: What’s up next for Fundamental Sound Co.? 

A: Things have been busy with Fundamental Sound Co. I like to split my time between studio recording and live sound for concerts. I have some really cool projects in the works. [I’m] currently working on an album with Rik Strange and with Pajamas as her backing band. Working on some new music with Violet Sol in the studio right now, too. I think I will soon revisit the “mobile recording” idea by putting together some live videos of artists playing in unique spaces and places.