Mid-Summer Music Fest - Menahga MN - July 24th - 27th 2024

Mid-Summer Music Fest’s slogan is Bigger, Better and Louder! After four years of attending this event, I can attest that they are keeping true to their words. This year’s attendance was the biggest yet and I hope the trend continues in the future.

This year started off with Minnesota bands covering some of the greatest music ever created. Audio Throttle kicked off the main stage with a great mix of rock music across multiple decades and got the attendees fired up. Mason Dixon Line crushed a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Hype closed out the night with five mini concerts in one, covering some of the biggest bands of the 70’s and 80’s.

Menace started out Friday with a great mix of hard rock followed up by a couple, two piece bands. Ra and Smile Empty Soul used pre-recorded music to fill in the gaps and put on great performances. Things turned down, dirty and heavy as Texas Hippie Coalition and Jackyl rounded out the night with southern hard rock flavor. Who doesn’t love the sound of a chainsaw solo to close out a night. Here, Here!

Marty Mcfly and Doc Brown must have showed up with the Delorean on day three as we were transported back in time, musically speaking. Them Pesky Kids started the trip with some great classic rock from the 70’s. Huricane Alice, who formed in 1984 in Minneapolis rocked the

stage. Although they never made it to the big time, they have a faithful following and are very entertaining live. The next band up isn’t from the 80’s, but Liliac has covered some of the greatest rock and metal classics ever written. This youthful band is showing that the future of rock and roll is in good hands with their own hard rocking material. Slaughter and Night Ranger stole the show by performing radio and MTV hits and had the crowd singing along every step of the way and brought us down memory lane.

Day four had the largest attendance I have ever seen at Mid-Summer. It was also great to see a lot of younger people turn out on the last day. The Hybrid Theory: A Tribute to Linkin Park entertained the masses with an awesome recreation of the aforementioned bands hits. New to the music seen, Gunshine is a guitar driven band with a throwback sound. Great vocals and songwriting should take them far. Stitched Up Heart hit the crowd with hard and heavy licks. Alecia “Mixi” Demner shined with her beautiful vocals and shocking, guttural bellows that any metal band would be proud of. Drowning Pool’s in your face, Nu-metal sound was a great compliment to the rest of the bands on this day. They got the crowd involved as they closed out their set with their best known song, Bodies. Closing out the night, Skillet gave it everything they had. Playing hit after hit and a spectacular stage show left the festival’s fans wanting more. They were the perfect band to close out a weekend of amazing music.

I would also like to give props to the bands that kept the music flowing on the second stage. Benjamin Raye and The Empire Players, My Favorite Friends, DJ & The Atomics and Wayside kept everyone entertained while the bands switched out on the main stage.

Live music isn’t the only thing to do at this festival. The festival organizers had Music Bingo, Molkky and Bean Bag Tournaments to keep people occupied. Even the concert goers take part

in the entertainment. Just take a walk around the campgrounds and you will find Beer Olympics at Camp Hippie, Jello and pudding shots at Camp Jelloville and tequila tasting at Margaritaville along with many other campsites having games where you could win drinks and prizes.

One last shout out to the Carlson Clan and all their volunteers! Without them, this festival would go nowhere. Their hard work and dedication will make this festival a great success and keep the vision Trinity Jaymes Junes alive and well for years to come! See you all next year for a Bigger, Better and Louder Mid-Summer Music Fest!

Review and photos by Steven Albright.

Day 1 and 2 Photo Gallery