Wilson Phillips, Brice top Lancaster Festival
LANCASTER − Pop act Wilson Phillips and country artist Lee Brice are the headliners at this summer’s 40th anniversary of the Lancaster Festival.
Michael Jackson tribute act “Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience will perform on the Wednesday of festival week, which is traditionally the night reserved for tribute acts.
The festival will run from July 18 to July 27 and both Saturday night acts will perform with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra for at least some songs.
Wilson Phillips will play on the Wendel Concert Stage at Ohio University Lancaster on July 20. Who’s Bad will perform on July 24 and Brice will close out the festival on July 27.
“Anybody who was around in the ‘90s will remember Wilson Phillips,” festival executive director Deb Connell said. “Which is a group that is made up of Wendy and Carnie Wilson, who are Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys daughters. And then Chynna Phillips, who is the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas.”
Connell said Wilson Phillips enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after their song “Hold On” was featured in the movie “Bridesmaids” in 2011. She said the act also performs some Beach Boys and Mamas and the Papas tunes in concert.
“That really fills out the concert,” Connell said. “It gives every group that’s in that audience something to really enjoy.”
Connell said people should bring their dancing shoes to the Jackson tribute show.
“Who doesn’t love a good Michael Jackson show?” she said. “That band that’s coming, Who’s Bad, has been doing this great Michael Jackson tribute for more than 20 years. They are spectacular. They come with a full load of dancers. Everything is done to as closely as possible to replicate the performances that Michael did himself.”
Brice will perform at the festival’s grand finale. He’s known for tunes like “A Woman Like You,” “Hard to Love,” and “I Drive Your Truck,”
According to his website, Brice is a Grammy award nominee and a Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music award winner.
“He’s an amazing current country music star,” Connell said. “He’s awardwinning and fun. From everything that we could find out about him, he just seems to be a good guy who loves to perform. So really expect that to be a great night with audience interaction.”
The festival will also mark orchestra conductor Gary Sheldon’s last year with the festival. Connell previously said he and the festival mutually agreed to part ways. Tickets go on sale May 1 and are the same price as last year.
For the Wilson Phillips and Brice shows, tickets are $45 in advance for lawn tickets and $55 at the gate. Student/child tickets are $10. A table of 10 ranges for $550 to $600.
For the Jackson tribute show, advance lawn tickets are $30 and $40 at the gate. Student/child tickets are $10 and a table of 10 is $300. There are a multitude of events during the festival besides the headlining acts. Visit www.lancasterfestival.org for more information and the complete schedule. jbarron@gannett.com 740-681-4340
Twitter/x: @Jeffdbarron