Micro-Festivals Issue #40

Localized fests sprawl out through the cities

By Julia Korol
Published: June 1st, 2009 | 12:00pm

With the overwhelming success of gargantuan, outdoor summer music fests, we’re also experiencing a rash of micro-festivals cropping up around the country. Typically spread out in independent venues throughout each city, these festivals work tirelessly to energize their respective music scenes by inviting national and local acts to share the stage. The crowds might not be thousands strong, but that’s not the goal. For these fests, it’s all about giving local music fans a chance to come together, if only for a weekend. These are some of the micro-fests on our radar:

Musicfest NW
Portland, OR (Fall)

   History: With the demise of North by Northwest in 2000, Portland found itself without a major music festival. In an attempt to fill the void, Willamette Week — longtime co-producer of the defunct NXNW — teamed up with local and regional music scene pros to put on the first ever MFNW in 2001.
   Vibe/Format: A four-day citywide extravaganza accessible via purchasable wristband or a pay-at-the-door option for the choosier music lover. During past fests, venues have played host to Deerhunter, Nada Surf, The Cool Kids, and yes, even the blast from the distant ‘90s past, Sir Mix-A-Lot.
   Only at Musicfest NW: Last year MFNW kicked things off with an outdoor cocktail party. Wonder how long the line for that open bar was?

Noise Pop
San Francisco, CA (Spring)

   History: Noise Pop’s beginnings were humble: Five bands booked in local spot The Kennel Club by music aficionado Kevin Arnold back in February of 1993. A decade and a half later, that night has become a week and those five bands grew to over a hundred.
   Vibe/Format: Various indoor venues set the stage for a weeklong music party. Buy a badge if you have the stamina to last a whole week, or take advantage of the pay-as-you-go option. Lineups in the past have included a smorgasbord of bands including Les Savy Fav, Cryptacize, and St. Vincent.
   Only at Noise Pop: Industry Noise, a one day forum created to start a conversation about independent music, technology, and the changing industry.

Hideout Block Party
Chicago, IL (Fall)

   History: The Block Party is a yearly celebration held in honor of the Hideout’s anniversary. The last block party was the 12th official anniversary bash, although the Hideout has been around in some shape or form as far back as 1934.
   Vibe/Format: Two days outdoors near the Hideout with a couple of stages and plenty of food vendors. Past artists include Neko Case, New Pornographers, Ratatat, Mucca Pazza.
   Only at the Hideout Block Party: Last year, Robbie Fulks dedicated his entire set to the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller rounding out the show with a rendition of “Thriller” complete with several dozen zombies and Rhymefest.

Mission Creek Midwest Festival
Iowa City, IA (Spring)

History: Mission Creek Productions was founded by Jeff Ray in San Francisco eleven years ago to give exposure to Bay Area’s underexposed talent. In 2006 when the company expanded to the Midwest, they set up shop in their new headquarters in Iowa City.
Vibe/Format: Five-day music blowout featuring cheap (many of them free) shows spread out in various local venues every night. This year welcomed Beach House, the Hood Internet, No Age, and even a free show by the Cool Kids.
Only at Mission Creek: The Night People Showcase kept the weekend going this year with an evening of intimate sets by artists including Zola Jesus and Bill Nace, who has collaborated with Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore. As if the music wasn’t enticing enough, the evening kicked off with a potluck dinner.

Popped! Music Festival
Philadelphia, PA (Summer)

   History: Only in its third year, this blossoming newbie festival has done well to put Philadelphia on the media map. The brainchild of three locals, all well-versed in the ins and outs of the live music industry, Popped! is determined to get Philadelphia’s neighborhoods to mingle.
   Vibe/Format: Three outdoor and indoor venues have seen the likes of Dan Deacon, Crystal Castles, and Vampire Weekend perform on their stages.
   Only at Popped!: Reduce, reuse, recycle! That’s the unspoken motto of Popped!, which is hard at work at maintaining Philadelphia’s title as the 8th most sustainable city in America. Vendors, organizers, and artists alike come together to educate festival goers about the power of green.

Whartscape Music Festival
Baltimore, MD (Summer)

   History: Whartscape began in 2006 by the Wham City collective as a response to Mob Town’s more mainstream Artscape fest held mere blocks away. Although by the sounds of things, Artscape certainly seems to have benefited from Whartscape’s success.
   Vibe/Format: At least a dozen national and local acts share the stage at a different indoor venue each night. And, of course, Wham City collective’s charmingly goofy members perform throughout the festival.
   Only at Whartscape: What’s more unique than a festival co-created by Dan Deacon? A better question is if there’s anything ordinary about this fest.

Midpoint Music Festival
Cincinnati, OH (Fall)

   History: Inspired by Cincinnati’s rich music history, local musicians started the fest back in 2002. Ownership has since been turned over to City Beat, the city’s weekly alternative newspaper, but the stages will keep rockin’ at Midpoint’s eighth anniversary this year.
   Vibe/Format: Occurring in the city’s Over-the-Rhine entertainment district, over 17 cross-town venues are accessible by pre-purchased wristband or at the door. The Ting Tings and Vampire Weekend are among some of the acts that have played before.
   Only at Midpoint: Part of basing yourself in a city with a strong music heritage means paying your respect, and Midpoint does so by inviting jazz and blues musicians to their stages. Whatever you’re into, MMF has your back.

Siren Music Festival
Coney Island, NY (Summer)

   History: Heart set on invigorating this Brooklyn community, the Village Voice, New York City’s free, weekly newspaper, has been producing the fest since its humble beginnings in 2001.
   Vibe/Format: Soak up the sun while letting your ears soak in sounds by the likes of the Raveonettes and Built to Spill playing all day on two outdoor stages. If you’re feeling adventurous, jump on a rollercoaster in between sets.
   Only at Siren: Despite playing host to some huge names in music, this festival continues to be a free-for-all. That’s right, you get to save that hard-earned cash for an ice cream cone or mastering that darn ring toss game.