One Girl's Guide to the Blowout

Photo Credit: Joe Gall a.k.a. Camera Jesus

The Metro Times Blowout starts tonight! Hamtramck, Detroit, and Ferndale will be taken over by thousands of people who want to watch some live music and have a good time. The Blowout is in its 18th year and is poised to be the bigger and better than ever before. The festival has grown and changed a lot throughout the years. It has become a four day event that takes place in over twenty bars across three cities. There are tons of  local acts mixed in with some great national acts including Andrew W.K., Pup, Fucked Up, Trick Trick, and the Arkells. The next four days are going to be amazing!  Here's a list of things to think about before you head out the show tonight!


1- Figure out how you are getting home before you head out for the night.  
The Blowout takes place in three cities, Ferndale, Hamtramck, and Detroit Michigan. Sometimes, you start the night out in one city and then quickly head over to another city or venue to catch a band,   Make sure that you roll with a sober driver or take an Uber around town. There is no reason to drive drunk, that ruins everyone's fun!

2- If your heading out on the town alone make sure that you pay attention when you're coming in and out of venues.  
Listen, things happen, don't be the asshole who never saw it coming. I know it's temping to get your phone out to start checking Instagram before you get in the car. But, when you're out and about (especially by yourself) you need to make sure that you are paying attention to what is happening around you. Save the social media for inside the car. Make sure to keep your head up, pay attention to your surroundings and don't dick around. The more you dick around, the faster you can become a target.

3-You can grab a quick bite late night. 
If you're in Detroit hit up American Coney for something greasy, Sgt. Pepperoni's for something cheesy, and Niki's for something Greek. If you're in Hamtramck head into Campau Tower for some of the best sliders and fries around. Ferndale has a few great spots with late night menus, including Imperial tacos, Public House sliders, and the W.A.B. Any of these choices will make your stomach dance with joy!

4- Sometimes paying for parking is worth it.
I'm cheap, like really, really cheap, but sometimes even I will pay for parking. Detroit and Ferndale are known for ticketing cars even if the parking meters are broken. Ferndale is a small town and parking fills up fast. There are a few select lots that are worth the money. Venues like the Garden Bowl, HopCat, The Rustbelt, St. Andrew's, and The Majestic Cafe can be harder to park at, but all of these places have paid parking within walking distance. If you need to get  into a venue quickly to make sure you catch a band, just pay for parking! That leads us to number five...

5- Make sure to carry some cash.
Make sure to get some cash out before you head out to bar hop for the Blowout. You may end up needing money for parking and a few of these venues are cash only. The Blowout also occasionally features beer gardens in the venue where patrons can get a drink much faster, these are also usually cash only.

6- Don't get too drunk the first night and miss out on the rest of the fun. 
Pace yourself, this is a four day event. But, if you end up drinking too much, try one of these tricks to avoid the hangover.
-Drink as much water as you can before going to sleep, and put some beside the bed too.
-Take an antacid to settle your stomach.
-Alcohol is a depressant, so tea or coffee can perk you up (but they can also dehydrate you, so keep up the water as well).
-Drinking lowers your blood sugar level, so eat as soon as you can. Bananas, cereal, or an egg on toast are all good morning-after snacks. Never ever do hair of the dog - you’ll just prolong the agony.

7- Look out for each other.
We're all brothers and sisters, people trying to have a good time. Instead of making fun of the girl or guy who got too drunk, look out for them! Give them a glass of water, offer to call them a ride, whatever they need. We are all music fans and that makes us a family and family takes care of each other!


The Blowout kickoff party starts at 7:45 tonight. Tonight's lineup includes Flint Eastwood, The Beggars, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells, Cheerleader, Jamaican Queens, and more. It's $20 bucks to buy a bracelet for the weekend. See you at the show!

~S