Songs That Don’t Suck: A Special Brite Winter Festival Edition

Chasing Dopamine in 2025 🎶

Welcome back to Songs That Don’t Suck—or if you’re new here, welcome! I’m Mark Bradbourne, your host, and every week, I sift through hundreds of new music releases to bring you the best of the best. But this week? We’re shaking things up because last Saturday, I had an experience so incredible that I just had to share it with you.

At the start of 2025, I set out on a journey I call Chasing Dopamine. It’s not a list of resolutions, but rather a bingo card filled with experiences that bring me joy—things like Cleveland sporting events, motorcycle trips, gym sessions, weekend adventures with my wife, and of course, live music. My goal? To attend 20 concerts this year. And what better way to kick things off than with my first show of the year: the Brite Winter Music Festival.

What is Bright Winter? ❄️🎸

If you’ve been a longtime listener, you know I love talking about the Brite Winter Music Festival. It’s an annual outdoor music and arts festival held every February in Cleveland, Ohio. Now, if you’re not from here, let me paint a picture: February in Cleveland? Cold. Brutally cold. But that doesn’t stop this city from showing up for live music.

The festival runs from 1 PM to 11 PM and features five stages, 30 musicians and DJs, food trucks, art installations, and even live ice carving. You can warm up by one of the many fire pits scattered throughout or grab some merch—like the event-themed ski cap (a lifesaver in the cold). The best part? It’s family-friendly! There’s something for everyone, including Flurry, the giant mascot.

Honestly, Brite Winter is one of Cleveland’s best-kept secrets. If you’re a music lover looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, this is the event for you.

Discovering Cleveland’s Musical Talent 🎤🔥

One of my favorite things about Brite Winter is that I go in blind—I don’t preview the bands beforehand. I just show up and let the music surprise me. And this year? Every single act I saw was from Cleveland, showcasing the city’s undeniable talent.

So today, instead of my usual new release round-up, I’m highlighting six incredible local artists I discovered at Brite Winter. Trust me, you’ll want to add these to your playlist.

🎭 Shelby Olive

Musical Theater Pop
Shelby Olive is a storyteller. Her songwriting is reminiscent of great musical theater—vivid, heartfelt, and engaging. With a crystal-clear voice and infectious stage presence, she captivated the crowd. She performed with a percussionist and keyboardist, playing what I believe was a baritone ukulele. While she does perform with a full band, there was something beautifully intimate about her stripped-down set. Check out “A Lotta Bit Sad” for a taste of her sound.

👻 Wish Queen

Dream Pop / Atmospheric Rock
Wish Queen had my attention before they even played a note—why? Because they had a violinist. Their sound is haunting yet beautiful, with ghostly vocals floating over well-orchestrated compositions. Think lush dream pop with subtle electronic textures. I’m not usually a huge dream pop fan, but this band? Different story. Listen to “Grievances”and prepare to be mesmerized.

🎸 Truss

Rust Belt Garage Punk
If you like Paramore, you’re going to love Truss. High-energy, powerful vocals, and a relentless, driving sound—they turned the freezing cold festival into a full-blown punk rock party. Their latest release, “Selfish”, is packed with killer guitar riffs and infectious energy.

🕺 PAL

Quirky, DEVO-esque New Wave Rock
The moment I saw PAL’s matching mechanic-style jumpsuits, I knew this was going to be fun. Their set was eccentric, high-energy, and had serious DEVO vibes (minus the heavy political slant). They mixed synths with raw rock energy, creating an experience that was both nostalgic and fresh. Check out “Burger Boy” from their 2024 album—you won’t regret it.

🎹 The Michael Weber Show

Elvis Costello meets High-Energy Rock
Michael Weber owns the stage. From the moment he stepped on, he was turned up to 11. A phenomenal guitarist and vocalist, he blends pop, new wave, rock, and R&B seamlessly. His band was tight, featuring a killer rhythm section and a Hammond B3 organ that added depth to their sound. Picking a favorite song was tough, but “Miles Away” is a great introduction to The Michael Weber Show.

🎺 Da Land Brass Band

Funky, High-Energy Brass Band
By far the coolest moment of the festival. I was walking to their stage when suddenly a tuba player appeared in front of me. Then, more brass musicians joined. Before I knew it, I was in a full-on second-line parade à la New Orleans. They pied-pipered the entire festival crowd straight to their stage, where they exploded with energy. Why is this band not the official soundtrack of every Cleveland sports event?! Their set was an absolute dopamine rush. Check out “Ninth Street Getdown” for a taste of their infectious energy.

Wrap-Up 🎧

This was a special episode of Songs That Don’t Suck, dedicated to Cleveland’s Brite Winter Festival. Next week, we’ll be back to our usual format, covering the best new music releases. But for now, do yourself a favor—go check out these amazing Cleveland artists and support local music!

Get Involved 🎶

• Website: songsthatdontsuck.net – Find links to all the songs mentioned in this episode, past episodes, and ways to connect.
• Follow me: Instagram, Blue Sky (links on the website!)
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Thanks for tuning in, and as always—support these artists, keep searching for great music, and never stop listening to songs that don’t suck! 🎶