Let There Be Rock School

Let There Be Rock School is the perfect place to learn, create, and foster the talents that so many kids have. Owner and Director Kyle Sanders established Let There Be Rock School to design a place where kids of all ages can feel like they fit in and are free to express themselves creatively.

Kyle Sanders has become one of the most sought-after players in the heavy music scene after his roles in bands like Bloodsimple, SKREW, Medication, and MonstrO. Since 2013, he has been hammering out the bass duties in the heavy metal supergroup HELLYEAH alongside members of Pantera, Mudvayne, and Nothingface.

Performing on the main stage from 2:00-3:15 p.m.

Malachi Mills

Malachi Mills is a Southern soul singer and songwriter based in North Georgia. He is stationed in Gainesville but frequently visits Nashville to co-write and record.

Focused as a writer, Malachi writes multi-genre including Country, Pop/soul, & CCM. As an artist, you can expect gospel & pop sounds mixed with southern roots. A polished singer/songwriter style that features acoustic sounds and is inspired by artist such as Allen Stone, Sam Cooke, and Chris Stapleton.

Malachi was featured on Season 19 of American Idol and is also the other half of the southern duo “The Band Loula.”

Performing on the main stage from 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Fukushima Tuna

Daniel Ecke (vocalist and guitarist) and Dru Edmonson (drummer) are the duo who makes Fukushima Tuna. They raise the entertainment bar by mixing in unique, stylistic versions of a variety of popular, crowd-engaging songs that leaves crowds dancing and laughing! Blending all styles of music from jazz, smooth RnB, and Motown, to pop and rock, old and new, and 80s to classic, Fukushima Tuna is a duo you don’t want to miss.

Performing on the main stage from 4:30-5:15 p.m.

Sweet Auburn String Band

Formed in 2013 in the Sweet Auburn Historic District of Downtown Atlanta, Sweet Auburn String Band plays high-energy soul to bluegrass and other great southern and mountain music traditions. Attendees will enjoy talent from Ian Hennessee (guitar, upright bass and banjo) and Will Ruff (mandolins, guitar and resophonic guitar)!

Performing on the main stage from 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Velvet City Sound

Velvet City Sound is an upbeat and versatile cover band based out of Atlanta. Before VCS became an official group, all of the respective members were regularly playing out supporting other wedding and corporate bands among the southeastern states. As the gigs went by, the same members kept crossing paths and created an affinity for playing together. Thus, VCS was born: A group of talented, versatile, and passionate music professionals with a shared goal of bringing 110% to every show!

VCS’ repertoire is vast and covers many genres and decades. Country, Funk, Classic Rock, Modern Alternative, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Motown, Hip-Hop and RnB, Reggae, Blues, Top-40 – you name it, they play it!

“We all came from very different backgrounds and have different tastes in music, but it somehow gels together, creating this exciting blend of awesome music – a cosmic gumbo, if you will.” -Frank (drums)

Performing on the main stage from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Silent Auction

Waterfest will feature an exciting virtual silent auction! From hand-painted rain barrels to North Georgia adventure packages, there will be something for everyone at the festival and browsing virtually.

The silent auction will go live on April 17th and close April 24th. More details to come!

Rain barrel artists include:

• Alea Hurst 
• Anne Brodie Hill 
• Fox Gradin 
• Gallery on the Square 
• Jess Ballew 
• Joan Terrell
• Kristin Davis
• Maria Mueller 
• Shelley Hassel 
• Tina Tornambe 

Spring Cleanup & Beautification Event

The week before Waterfest, City of Gainesville Parks & Recreation and Department of Water Resources will host a Spring Cleanup and Beautification event at a number of local parks.