Ariel Oyler is a diehard music fan, regularly checking out shows at clubs in Northeast Ohio.
Sometimes, the venues are crowded. Other times, he’s among the few people in attendance. But regardless, the 21-year-old Stark County native is constantly on the lookout for musical talent.
Oyler is pouring that passion into the All Love Music Festival, which he’s scheduled for Aug. 15 at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The event will feature bands and musical artists from the region, including the Cleveland, Akron, Kent and Youngstown areas. Oyler said it’s the music scene he’s most familiar with.
More than a dozen bands and musical artists will perform in the new music festival, including Cleveland-based bands Apostle Jones and Rellick.
“We’re trying to bring new groups into the Canton area to showcase their talents and give them a stage … (and) an opportunity to get success in a new area that they’re not familiar with and give them a crowd,” Oyler said.
Styles will vary among the festival bands and artists, including rock, soul, funk, hip-hop, rap, reggae, singer-songwriter, alternative, indie, punk and acoustic.
Apostle Jones is a nine-member soul, rock and blues band, featuring guitar, horns, percussion and keyboards. Rellick plays cinematic rock “that uses different rock styles to paint vivid stories of the human experience,” according to the band, which says its live music is reminiscent of Father John Misty and Radiohead among other musical artists.
Rellick performed one of NPR’s “Tiny Desk” concerts earlier this year, featuring a violinist and flutist.
Other acts include Higher Nation, Guiche, Chris Lugo, Lochwood, M.O.O.K.Y, Marcus Smith & the Rapscallions, Old Country Business, Singled Out, Quenton Rubin Band, Tjdub, AJé 2000, Stark County native Gemi Cheeze, Iverson Lewis, Medium Mike, Ocheii, Joshua Kristian, Paris Mather, Zac Lee and 888wake.
“We are excited to do All Love Music Festival because that is what we’re all about, love,” said Mikey Silas, lead singer of Apostle Jones. “The love of music, the love of community and the love of summer festivals. I’m also a big (fan) of (festival) organizer Ariel Oyler who has a drive and passion to not only put on shows but build a sustainable community of artists and music lovers to grow a scene. He puts the work in, goes out to shows, (and) organizes groups to spread the word on emerging artists.”
Apostle Jones recently released its debut album, “2nd Chances Don’t Come Easy.” Songs include “The Ballad of Sally Walker,” “Scorpio Lover,” “9,999 Lifetimes” and “Some People, Somebody.”
“We feel our unique blend of soul, rock and blues works well for a diverse lineup show like this festival,” Silas added. “We bring a high-energy, message-inspired show that takes songs and transforms them into a soulful sermon of hope, love, funk and dancing.”
Why is it called the All Love Music Festival?
Oyler said this is the first music festival he’s planned and promoted.
The festival name “came from something I would say all the time when I’m at venues and concerts,” he said. “I go three to four times a week to a (Northeast Ohio) show … so I can meet the artists, so I can see who’s performing and get connected and network.
“Artists, every now and then, they’ll say …’Why do you do this?’ and I’ll say, ‘It’s all love,'” the 2023 GlenOak High School graduate said. “I just do it to support the local scene because I know if I do this and make my name associated with support, people will trust me in the future.”
While Rellick, Apostle Jones and other bands in the lineup are well established in the region, the All Love Music Festival also will give an opportunity to lesser known bands and artists, said Oyler, who graduated in 2025 from Kent State University with a business management degree.
“They can take this opportunity and use it to boost their social media and their momentum for other shows,” he said. “This should be an opportunity that boosts their future. This is just an opportunity to show their skill and show their art.”
New music festival gets downtown support
Staff at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, which manages Centennial Plaza, booked the festival. Admission will be free. There also will be food trucks and vendors.
“The goal is for this to become a yearly festival at Centennial Plaza,” Oyler said. “I’m very confident this is going to be a banger of a show, personally.”
Visit Canton and ArtsinStark are supporting the event with a $5,000 cultural tourism grant.
“We’re excited to see a new music festival in town while also supporting a lineup of original artists from the Northeast Ohio region,” said Tonja Marshall, chief marketing officer for Visit Canton, also known as the Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau.
Downtown Canton Partnership has awarded the festival a $2,000 grant.
“We are excited for a new music festival, featuring new and upcoming artists, and look forward to the event,” said Todd Herberghs, executive director of the group.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘Banger of a show.’ What is the new All Love Music Festival in Canton?
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
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