This year's Midpoint Music Festival was a successful event. Since 2002, the festival has focused on showcasing independent original musicians. Each year, the number of participating bands has grown. As the festival grows, more out of town bands are added to the list of performers. This year also brought an handful of international artists.
The festival does not book nationally known and signed acts to perform. There are no label showcases here. All of the bands playing must be independently releasing their music and/or on a small label. This year there were a number of great performances from independent musicians. Most of the showcases of local and national acts were playing to substantial crowds. The festival seemed to go off without a problem.
Midpoint Music Festival also offered a conference on Friday and Saturday. Due to scheduling conflicts, I was not able to attend the conference either day this year. I was disappointed to miss one of the two keynote addresses. Lyle Preslar discussed his time with Minor Threat, as an A&R rep and label executive, and law degree and copyright analysis. Most of the panel discussions were guided towards the musicians in attendance and addressed recording, business, and licensing options.
The highlight of the festival was the evening's live performances. Breaking Laces, Coltrane Motion, Southeast Engine, Paper Airplane, and Western Civ were some of the standout acts. Here were some more of my favorites.
Best Band
Industrial Jazz Group - The energy, mayhem, and music of Industrial Jazz Group's set could not be matched. The audience inside the tent known as Jardin was treated to bombastic and unique jazz ensemble.
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Best Local Band
Arrow Sparrow - After listening to the music on all the bands' electronic press kits, Arrow Sparrow became one of the most anticipated bands for me to see at Midpoint. Their set on Friday night did not disappoint me at all.
Read more here.
Best Street Performance
The Gregory Morris Group - The Industrial Jazz Group provided unique entertainment by driving up Main Street in a minivan while performing. And Ferdinand Fox put one some great tunes outside of their venue before and after their set. But The Gregory Morris Group seemed to own the street stage. For the fourth consecutive year, the band was named an alternate for the festival. And for the fourth consecutive year, they found out they were a showcase band with very limited time to promote their show. This year, they played on Main Street on Thursday and Friday nights. They settled in to the alley between The Exchange and Speakeasy and played acoustic versions of their jam happy music. It caught the attention of festival passersby and helped to create a lively atmosphere.
Midpoint Music Festival - Day One on The Wheel's Still In Spin
Midpoint Music Festival - Day Two on The Wheel's Still In Spin
Midpoint Music Festival - Day Three on The Wheel's Still In Spin
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