Spring Stock returns to Springfield this spring to celebrate the season with family-friendly local music and art at Mother’s Brewing Company. Justin Flowers, Philip Robinson-Morgan and Minerva Miller, who formed the festival in March 2023, operate and organize it. Spring Stock was initially planned for April 2, 2023, as a small get-together to celebrate Miller's birthday and to get Miller’s band to perform. It later transformed into an all-day event hosted at Flowers’ house, with performances from local musicians and artists. “It started off as a birthday show,” said Robinson-Morgan, “and we had planned a month in advance, and so we went fast pace in finding artists throughout our town, as we wanted it to be locally-based, and it still is.” Flowers received a call from Robinson-Morgan suggesting they turn the birthday event into an all-day festival hosted at Flowers' house, which he thought was a great idea. “We had Justin (Flowers) host it for us, and it was a nice day,” said Robinson-Morgan. “We spent the first half of the day outside, and then at night, we all moved everything into the basement.” The first Spring Stock festival also featured a few Missouri State University art students who displayed their work. A caterer provided food for everyone who attended. Flowers said around 100 people arrived at the first Spring Stock in 2023. “The first year, it was definitely more of a DIY-feel to it,” said Miller. “It was a lot more chill and relaxed.” In 2024, the event expanded to Mother’s Brewing Company and added more vendors, artists showcasing their art and clothing, musicians, and bands. “We had a meeting with Josh, the project manager,” said Robinson-Morgan, “and we expressed some ideas of how we ran the festival last year, and he was really interested and provided us the space to do Spring Stock.” Mother’s Brewing Company has helped support Spring Stock's expansion. The festival now has an outdoor courtyard, two stages and space for indoor events. Last year, 700 people attended. Miller, Robinson-Morgan and Flowers said they would like to expand the festival annually to keep the momentum growing across Springfield. “We want to expand it more every year, while still maintaining the localness of the event,” said Miller. Not only do local bands and musicians perform at Spring Stock, but many local vendors, food trucks and artists are also present to share what they have made or love. “We’re mainly focused on local Springfield acts, creatives, musicians, and artists, and giving them a space to express their talent and be around like-minded people,” said Flowers. “We have it in a way that isn’t really seen throughout the city.” Many shops and vendors offer clothing, from band merchandise to vintage clothing, art pieces and paintings from local artists, and even informational tables. “Last year, we had mostly thrift vendors,” said Miller, “and we had a friend of ours that makes rugs. We also had crochet and some art.” In 2024, organizations like the GLO Center and Queen City Rock Camp visited Spring Stock to hand out pamphlets and increase their community presence. The festival plans to have around 40 vendors attend this year, with more spots available. The festival's musical lineup includes rock and roll, country, electronic, and rap music. “We always strive to have all different kinds of music to appeal to a larger audience,” said Miller. “And also so that we can showcase that even though we have a major hardcore rock scene, we want to also show off the country bands and electronic bands and rappers here in Springfield.” According to Miller, this ensures everyone attending the event can enjoy whatever music they want. “We’ve tried this year to make sure almost every genre is covered by the bands that we have booked,” said Miller. While many of Spring Stock’s performers are from the Springfield area, several artists are traveling from other parts of Missouri, like St. Louis and Joplin. Last year, Kansas City musicians also appeared at the festival. “Several of those artists are considered local to here because they perform here so much,” said Miller. Stereo Bones, an alt-rock band that has performed across the Springfield area since 2022, will perform at Spring Stock this spring. The band comprises Alex Shaw, Lucas Wallace, Donny Trotter and Jordan Flacko. They have performed at the festival every year since its inception. “We got word about it from a few of our friends, and we decided to sign up for it,” said Shaw. “We had a ton of fun, and we’ve loved performing there every year.” What makes Spring Stock unique compared to other festivals in the area is how involved the festival and its founders are in the underground scene. “We all have been involved with the underground scene across Springfield,” said Flowers. Miller, Robinson-Morgan and Flowers have all had some experience in and around the underground music scene in Springfield, ranging from videography and photos to going to shows and even being part of a band. “I’ve been involved with the underground rap scene, Minerva (Miller is) in a band, and Phil (Robinson-Morgan) has been involved with the scene, whether it’s through photography or video,” said Flowers. “And so just having that presence helps us, as we all know the people in it and support them, whether it’s through Spring Stock or just being at concerts.” The founders also view the festival as a way to introduce people to Springfield's music and arts scene and open their eyes to it. “Many people come in and view it as their home,” said Miller. “While other people, such as older people or people who aren’t involved with the scene here, see it and I feel it opens their eyes to their community.” Spring Stock 2025 will take place on April 19, 2025. Visit @417springstock on Instagram for more information about the festival and its pre-show on April 5 at The Glacier. Tickets are $15. Subscribe to The Standard's free weekly newsletter here .
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