3:00 P.M. Performances
Cosmic Orphan
Venue: Bleu Duck Kitchen
Genre(s): Indie/Alternative
COSMIC ORPHAN is the expansive, cinematic indie-rock vision of husband-wife duo Dan and Stacie Conway. Performing live as a formidable seven-piece band, they move from contemplative minimalism to lush, maximalist soundscapes. Their dynamic sound is influenced by such artists as The Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie, Phantogram, and The Cure.
Eleanor Sievers
Venue: LC’s Venue
Genre(s): Singer/Songwriter
Eleanor Sievers is a 16 year old singer songwriter. She’s been performing solo shows around Rochester for nearly two years at local venues and events including Art on the Ave, Sidewalk Sessions, and the Little Thistle matinée series. She’s the lead singer in local rock band Beginners Luck, as well as an enthusiastic participant in musical theater. She just released her self titled EP in November of 2023.
3:15 P.M. Performances
3:45 P.M. Performances
My Grandma’s Cardigan
Venue: Chateau
Genre(s): Folk Rock
My Grandma’s Cardigan is a folk rock group that came together in the heart of Winona, MN. What started as a folk duo jamming in a living room, has grown into a great group of friends that love playing music together. Their melodic harmonies and fun upbeat sounds have made their way across the midwest. With covers from the Beatles to Black Sabbath – and an ever growing archive of original music – they have a little something for everyone.
4:15 P.M. Performances
Amy Abts
Venue: Cafe Steam
Genre(s): Indie Rock
Amy Abts grew up in Rochester and started performing at the age of 6 as a stage actor. She never stopped.
Music became her main performance interest after receiving a degree in acting. She lived in Duluth, MN for many years, getting in lots of practice and performance time. She was the first performer of Duluth’s Homegrown Music Festival which is now in its’ 25th year.
In her mid 30’s she was diagnosed with a degenerative cranial nerve disorder. This resulted in 3 brain surgeries and ultimately went deaf in her left ear.
2023 shows Amy getting back onstage and also in the studio. Very excited to hear what she has in store for us in 2024!
4:30 P.M. Performances
Mike Munson Trio
Venue: Bleu Duck Kitchen
Genre(s): American (country blues, rock, jazz)
The recently formed Mike Munson Trio elevates Mike’s catalog of songs that feature his adept slide guitar playing and a reverence for tradition. He is joined on bass by Nick Salisbury (Ryan Bingham, Brian Fallon, Jack Klatt) and on drums by Lars-Erik Larson (Dave Simonett, Dead Man Winter). Together they explore new territory, creating a sound that dances between early American rock and roll, gritty blues and modern jazz.
Wild Horses
Venue: LC’s Venue
Genre(s): Roots Folk-Rock, Western, Americana
Hailing from the deep woods of northern Minnesota, Wild Horses makes a home between the traditions of folk, western, and rock music.
With roots in the Minnesota bluegrass music community, frontman Jed LaPlant draws inspiration from the simple storytelling of traditional music, but offers a more dynamic and driving approach sonically. Wild Horses crafts the ability to draw listeners in with both captivating melodies and a hard-hitting drive in the same live experience. Their debut record, Runaway, was released in the summer of 2022 followed by a Western US tour to bring the songs back to the place from which they were inspired.
4:45 P.M. Performances
glowingtide
Venue: Art Heads Emporium
Genre(s): heavy shoegaze/post hardcore
glowingtide is a genre bending heavy shoegaze band, who are known for their explosive live shows. Whether it be dealing with trauma, anger, or pure joy, glowingtide channels these emotions in through their instruments and out of screaming amplifiers.
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5:15 P.M. Performances
Greentop
Venue: Treedome
Genre(s): indie rock
Greentop began in 2017 as a solo project and evolved greatly over two years, moving from sparse acoustic music to a powerful indie rock five-piece. The band’s lone LP, 2018’s “Dumb Luck,” helped Greentop grow past the stages of southeast Minnesota and play across mid-America. 2023 marks their post-pandemic revival and a move to Minneapolis, symbolizing the natural maturation of the people comprising the band and the sound they create.
Samantha Grimes
Venue: Chateau
Genre(s): Genre Fluid
Samantha Grimes is a left-handed-upside down guitar player that pens catchy and thought provoking songs in a confessional style. Without adhering to one set style or genre, Samantha just weaves lyrical stories. She is nominated for Josie Music Award in the category of “Rising Star”. She has also been nominated for multiple ISSA Awards and won Entertainer of the Year in Atlanta, GA for ISSA!
5:45 P.M. Performances
6:00 P.M. Performances
Burly Bluffs
Venue: Bleu Duck Kitchen
Genre(s): Burlesque (18+)
Queer-centered, body-positive, anti-oppressive burlesque in Driftless regions of Minnesota & beyond.
Walking Phoenix
Venue: LC’s Venue
Genre(s): Alt-Rock
Walking Phoenix is an up and coming Alternative Rock Band hailing from Fargo/ Moorhead on the border or North Dakota and Minnesota. The band formed in March of 2020 and had plenty of time to lie low and buckle down on writing original music. Since then Walking Phoenix has released five studio singles all included on their debut album ‘American Dreams’ which was released in June of 2022. Walking Phoenix has played with national and international acts including Remedy Drive, The Brevet, and Milky Chance.
6:15 P.M. Performances
Kodj
Venue: Art Heads Emporium
Genre(s): Alternative Pop
Kodj is an independent artist who started his music career back in 2019. He has released numerous tracks onto different music platforms and has performed all over the Mid West. Including his performance at the 2023 MN State Fair.
6:45 P.M. Performances
anni xo
Venue: Treedome
Genre(s): Indie Pop
anni xo (they/them) is a young queer musician hailing from Minnesota who found solace in music as a means to explore their identity and embrace the complexities of life. Inspired by the likes of boygenius, Taylor Swift, and Renee Rapp, anni’s music is a refreshing blend of alternative songwriting and folk stylings that expertly convey themes of love, loss, and the struggles of youth in a post-modern landscape.
Monica LaPlante
Venue: Chateau
Genre(s): Blue Collar Goth Slop Pop
Feeling over-worked and underwhelmed as a waitress in Minneapolis, Monica LaPlante used the Covid-19 pandemic as a chance to untangle the weird webs inside her mind.
Her latest single, “Compression” is an encapsulation of bottled-up anxiousness and uncertainty. Set to vintage drum machines, 70s Funk bass lines, and whacked-out synthesizers, it’s easy to believe The Minneapolis Star Tribune crowned her the Quarantine Rock Queen.
7:15 P.M. Performances
Dyl
Venue: Café Steam
Genre(s): Folktronica, Chamber Folk
Dylin Danielson is a musician, recording engineer, and producer of Norwegian/Swedish descent hailing from southern Minnesota. He releases music primarily under the alias DYL, with other projects in development.
In late 2022 he released his first full-length LP with “A Requiem for the Future.” A diverse blend of genres, detailed soundscapes and textures, beautiful instrumentation, vulnerable surrealist lyricism, and compelling vocal performances on the LP showcased his unique artistic voice. With influences in film score, indie-rock, ambient, industrial metal, and indie-folk to name a few – you never know what to expect with his music.
7:30 P.M. Performances
Sleeping Jesus
Venue: Bleu Duck Kitchen
Genre(s): Indie Rock
Sleeping Jesus is the Indie Rock band started by Nick Elstad in Winona, MN. The now five piece Minneapolis band, featuring Tyler Steinley, Andy Bauer, Seamus St. Clair, and Dante DeGrazia, just released their new single and video, “Ferdy”. The band recently released their sophomore album, “Hollywood Smile”, in November 2023. The band has played from Los Angeles to New York City and performed during SXSW festival in Austin, TX in 2023. This year will see Sleeping Jesus touring in support of their new album.
7:45 P.M. Performances
8:15 P.M. Performances
Stardust
Venue: Treedome
Genre(s): Synth Folk Rock
STARDUST is the project of Dan Schiltz, a singer-songwriter out of Mahtomedi, Minnesota. His music, simply defined, is synth-laden folk-rock, drawing inspiration from classic songwriters such as Jackson Browne and Harry Nilsson as well as contemporary artists like Angel Olsen and Weyes Blood. Backed by his band “The Cosmos” – featuring members Frank Merchelwitz, Mack Ziemer, Seth Duin and Kevin Coughenour – Schiltz is about to release his largest collection of songs to date under STARDUST: a 6 song EP titled “Suburban Cowboy” (Due February, 2024); songs written amidst the throws of a nervous breakdown where Schiltz makes stark self-effacements and tries to strip away the daydream and pretense of fleeting youth.
Mae Simpson
Venue: Chateau
Genre(s): Funk / Soul / Pop / Rock / Country
Mae Simpson has been shaking up the Minneapolis music scene ever since her band formed in 2018, performing on larger and larger stages to a growing base of loyal fans across the Midwest. Led by her powerful vocals, the six-piece band brings audiences to their feet. The Minneapolis-based singer songwriter weaves elements of funk, soul, pop, rock and country into her sound. Mae and her bandmates leave it all on the stage. Their high-energy show creates a powerful connection with the audience. Hailing originally from South Carolina, Mae has been passionate about singing and creating music for as long as she can remember. Her broad and soulful voice and deep well of creative energy are complemented by the musicianship and passion of the band. The band has released two EPs, Feel It Comin’ in 2018 and Did You Make it Back in 2020. The band’s debut full-length album, Chandelier & Bloom, released September 1, 2023.
8:45 P.M. Performances
9:00 P.M. Performances
Space Monkey Mafia
Venue: Bleu Duck Kitchen
Genre(s): Ska Punk
From somewhere deep within the hydrogen-rich nebula, NGC 2174, a new take on high-powered, horn-driven rock has emerged: Space Monkey Mafia. Founded in 2016, the six-piece band is rooted in the best parts of 90s/00s ska and punk, infused with a healthy dose of contemporary influence, and combined with a lyrical urgency and message to meet the moment.
HOLYROSE
Venue: LC’s Venue
Genre(s): Rock
HOLYROSE is a three piece rock band from Minnesota.
9:15 P.M. Performances
Hiahli
Venue: Art Heads Emporium
Genre(s): Live Band Hip Hop
Hiahli is a live hip-hop band that plays rock n roll instruments. The high-octane MC, Cold Sweat, delivers his Golden-Age Hip-Hop style over a variety of musical stylings. In addition to the usual fatback rhythms, you may hear some undercurrents of outlaw country, disco, and funk. The group weaves a tapestry of sound taking the listener through grungy, boom bap beats that inspire good times. And, always, a trip to the moon.
9:45 P.M. Performances
timisarocker
Venue: Treedome
Genre(s): Rock / Party Rock
Named after lead singer, Tim Dooley, Timisarocker was formed as a 4-piece punk band from St. Paul, Minnesota in 2014. Over the years, their style and sound has constantly evolved without changing the core value of their performance ability. With musical influences ranging from every which way, Timisarocker prides itself in not sounding like anyone or anything else. As a band, Timisarocker creates music that crosses many different genres in hopes to get their songs stuck in your head. They are all about breaking down barriers and advocating for those who suffer from mental illnesses, hoping that their music brings them peace of mind and reassures them that they are not alone.
10:15 P.M. Performances
Nur-D
Venue: LC’s Venue
Genre(s): Hip-Hop
One of the fastest rising starts in Minnesota’s music scene, Nur-D burst onto the stage in 2018 and has been making headlines ever since. Performing on stages alongside national acts like Ludacris, Migos, Logic, Tyler The Creator, and The Wu Tang Clan Nur-D is well on his way to becoming a house hold name. Voted Best New MN Artist in 2019 (Citypages), Headlining The “Best New Bands” Show in 2020 (First Avenue), and being voted Best Live Concert 2021 (Citypages) AND Best MN Artist 2022 (Twin Cities Collective) Nur-D brings an explosion of energy every time he hits the stage. With five full length projects each with their own flair to his discography Nur-D has something special for any occasion. Wether you’re going out on the town with “Take My Picture”, wanting to get cost ,with a special someone with “Chi-Chi”, or you cue up “38th” or “Chicago Avenue” to experience the range of emotions that birthed from the Minneapolis uprising in 2021, Nur-D has something for you. Nur-D is a breath of fresh air in the Hip Hop world and fans are feeling the same. Boasting a fervent fan base across the US and around the globe if you haven’t heard the name Nur-D yet you certainly will soon. Imagine the soulful sounds of Bruno Mars or Childish Gambino, The powerful energy of Lizzo, the pop culture punchlines of an episode of “Community”, all rolled up into a show that everyone can enjoy ala The Fresh Prince then you would be able to see why many people are calling Nur-D the next big thing out of Minnesota.