Pretend Friend’s Grant Boesen To Perform At Sheet’s Creek
WICHITA, Kan. — Progressive bluegrass and folk outfit Pretend Friend is set to bring their original music and high-energy sound to Sheet’s Creek, with bandleader Grant Boesen leading the performance. The Wichita-based group has become a standout in the national acoustic scene, blending bluegrass roots with improvisation and modern songwriting.
A Band Known For Pushing Boundaries
Pretend Friend has built a reputation for crafting soulful melodies and captivating lyrics that resonate with both traditionalists and new listeners. Their sound blends driving bluegrass, vocal harmonies, and improvised jams into anthemic choruses that audiences quickly connect with.
Having opened for acclaimed acts such as Bela Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, Fruition, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Arkansauce, the group continues to earn praise for its dynamic performances.
Festival Favorites Across The U.S.
The band’s reputation extends well beyond Kansas. Pretend Friend has been featured at major festivals including:
- Walnut Valley Festival
- Blue Ox Music Festival
- Hillberry Music Festival
- Kaw River Roots Fest
- Smoky Hill River Fest
- Weston Roots Fest
- Lake Erie Folk Fest
- Ozark Mountain Soul Fest
Their high-energy shows keep audiences dancing, clapping, and singing along to music that feels both fresh and timeless.
Acclaim From NPR And Beyond
Jedd Beaudoin, host and producer of KMUW (NPR) in Wichita, praised the band’s balance of tradition and innovation:
“Pretend Friend respects tradition and its musical heritage while consistently breaking new ground. The combination of expert writing and outstanding musicianship places the band in rarified company—one of those bands that wows fellow musicians with its acumen and leaves everyone tapping their toes and singing along to songs that seem to have always been.”
What To Expect At Sheet’s Creek
With Grant Boesen fronting Pretend Friend, the upcoming performance at Sheet’s Creek promises to deliver a set filled with original songs, fan favorites, and improvisational energy. For local audiences, it’s an opportunity to experience one of Wichita’s most acclaimed acts in an intimate venue setting.
Pretend Friend’s appearance at Sheet’s Creek reinforces their growing reputation as a genre-bending acoustic group with the ability to win over crowds wherever they play. For more live music highlights and artist features, keep visiting ChicagoMusicGuide.com.