Maybe best Midwest Music Fest ever! The weather was perfect, which seems a rarity for the event. The bands were amazing. More on that with the videos below. The bands were the highlight but as anyone in Minnesota knows, weather can make a break a city-wide event. The company was fantastic. I went with my friend Troy who is super fun and scored a rental in town, which meant I didn’t have to carry my cardigan all day. (Also meant I could rush out an urgent call for Women’s March MN to get folks to the Capitol tomorrow (May 13) to support the ERA!)
It was never too crowded, which may be better for us than the festival but it meant no lines waiting to get into the late gigs. Saw tons of friends. There were a few nonmusical highlights, including the older couple at Laura Hugo’s show. They were 90 if a day; she was clutching a white cane, he held her and the festival program. Also, the weather was so perfect it brought Northern Lights into view after 10pm.
Here’s a list of the bands we saw in order of appearance. We saw 26 bands over two nights. Some we saw for a song or two; others we stayed longer. I have done my best to get the details right – but let me know if something is mislabeled.
Maudlin. No Name. Talked about coloring books, big foot and maybe swore on the radio.
anni xo. Peter’s Biergarten. Easy. Funky. Keyboardist sang. Maddie from Briefly Gorgeous in the band. Super Treat!
Collection of Colonies of Bees. Levee Main. Looping and funky. Reba would have loved it.
Odd Prospect. Peter’s Biergarten. Rocking dropped album today.
Christy Costello. Two Fathom Brewing. Packed, fun, so tight.
Waisted. Peter’s Biergarten. Old school punk in young bodies. Happiness.
Texas Toast. Levee. Representing from Winona!
Shackletons. Two Fathom Brewing. Best MN booster club ever. Yay Front Row Paul. Trombone Carl can play.
Monica LaPlante. No Name. Like Christy Costello but different. Hope You’re Alone – amazing song.
Black Eyed Snakes. No Name. It’s all in the mic and the drums and the strings. Wow!
Saturday
Laura Hugo. Acoustic Cafe. Laura always fills the room with feelings and an amazing voice.
NeverWreck. Levee. Loud rock … and that’s the drummer with the death metal voice
Chris Koza. Acoustic. One man band. Packed and rightfully so.
Grandmas Cardigan. Levee. Playing for 10 years. Such cheerful music.
Radium Girls. Peter’s Biergarten. Third show. Nice drive. Nice voice.
Black Windows. Two Fathom Brewing. Surfing, sparkly and feminism
Student 1. No Name. Songer with a backpack. Rap with a wit.
Glowing Tide. No Name. Kinda rocking; kinda jazzy.
Porcupine. Two Fathom Brewing. Always amazing to see what Casey can do with two mics.. Hard and heavy
Yonder. Peter’s Biergaten. Violin. Young. New wave Americana
Heiruspecs. Levee. Cool as cumbersome chilling the temp. Fun to see a lot of people swaying.
Colin Bracewell. No Name. I always enjoy seeing Colin at a festival. Sounds great. Sporting a summer haircut.
Lucy Michelle. Fathom Brewing. With Chris Koza and Richard Medek great new songs!
Raffaella. Levee. Forced smile. Great use of lights. Heartwarmingly said – I have supportive parents that’s why I can do this job.
Cindy Lawson. Broken drum pedal. Fun audience participation
Mark Mallman. No Name. Always theatrical, he went from rant on/against the patriarchy to a Violent Femmes covers (probably a nod to their show at the Palace tonight).
Mostly Minnesota 