The Soaring Eagle Arts Beats and Eats Festival has traditionally brought an exclamation mark to Southeastern Michigan summers with a rich array of live music, arts, rides, and foods.  And the 2021 edition, held over Labor Day weekend in Royal Oak, Michigan, continued that tradition, welcoming over 370 thousand attendees from Michigan and points near and far away.

A consistent theme that emerged with every performer was gratitude to be connecting with live audiences once again. And Rock At Night saw that festival goers were just as happy to be connected and moving to the music.

The Michigan Lottery National Stage brought a deep roster of established rock and soul acts including Stone Temple Pilots, whose vocalist Jeff Gutt—a Southeastern Michigan native—delivered a bravado performance in his homecoming. Other notables on the national stage included Bobby Brown, Rise Against, Neon Trees, Thornetta Davis, Starship, and the Guess Who. 

Not to be outdone, a wide range of local acts delivered to more-intimate stages an experience just as powerful. 

Notable rock performers included promising newcomers Mac Saturn and raucous stalwarts the Ruiners, while the jazz, R&B, & blues stages saw sterling performances from Ryan Neal, Chris Canas, Damon Terrell, Slowfoot, Valerie Barrymore, and many more. The Movement Electronic Music Festival—temporarily on pandemic hiatus—even made a guest showing with noted DJs like Masteria thrilling throngs of Detroit techno ravers.

Satisfied festival goers were even treated to a dramatic show of fire by a troop of fire breathers near local landmark boutique Noir Leather.

The Arts Beats and Eats was the perfect way to end the summer with one last hurrah.