The 2009 MidPoint Music Festival took place here in Cincinnati last weekend and now it’s time to provide our thoughts. Enjoy this recap of the weekends festivities from contributor Dave Rolfes.

So, how does one sum up three nights at MPMF? I’m not totally sure, but I’m here to give it my best shot here, and I thought my approach would be to highlight some of my favorite things about the weekend. It would appear that there are many different ways to go about it, but this to me seemed like a fun way to go.

Favorite Show Everyone Missed – instrument: The band instrument played a great set over at Javier’s, but for all the publicity about great crowds through the weekend this was one sparsely populated show. It didn’t stop the guys from giving their all and even dedicating a song to their favorite new music blogger. Granted there were only a handful of other people in the bar at that point, but it was a cool gesture from my pick for the most overlooked band of MPMF.

Favorite Instrument – Sitar from Light in August: Early in the night Thursday I caught some of the set by Ann Arbor’s Light in August at The Below Zero Lounge. This was a really interesting band which happened to include an opening instrumental tune featuring the sitar.

Favorite Fake Moment That Seemed Real – End of The Lions Rampant Set: These local guys put on a high energy bluesy set in the Grammer’s tent early Friday night and at the end… a fight breaks out after singer Stuart MacKenzie tries to jump on the drum kit. Fists fly as Stuart and the drummer wrestle to the ground as the final notes of the set play. The crowd was not sure what to think of it all, and then Stuart pops up with blood gushing from his mouth to thank the crowd before they walk off the stage. Seriously, what!?! It only took another minute or so to fully realize the whole thing was a put on as the band returned to break down their gear, at which point it became damn funny too.

Favorite Real Moment That Seemed Fake – Cadillac Ranch/The Mean Tambourines: Yes, I was there and caught the now infamous set from The Lighthouse and the Whaler at the Ranch. These guys from Cleveland were a little sparse musically (think some Bon Iver stuff) and for contrast there was the typical Ranch bachelorette party taking up a majority of the dance floor right in front of the stage. When they finished at 830pm, we walked over to CAC to see Geographer (more on that later) and planned on being back at Cadillac for In Cadeo sometime after 9pm. Well, by now you know what we were met with upon our return. It seemed like a total put on too, except that The Mean Tambourines were standing on the street corner. I chatted them up for a bit (while we could see Dan McCabe running around like crazy) and they offered to play late night at my place. If only Dan hadn’t done such a nice job finding them a spot at Mainstay, I could have really been a part of MPMF!

Favorite Cover Song (TIE) – Jason Isbell & The Trouble With Boys: It’s completely impossible to choose between a southern guy that drinks Jack Daniels by the bottle covering The Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” and 12 year old boys from Louisville dropping a version of The Beastie Boys “Fight For Your Right”. I have video of both if anyone is willing to help me break the tie!

Favorite Surprise Band: Dropped in to catch a few songs from Geographer at the CAC on Saturday night and was blown away; already picked up the album. Guess that’s why they come all the way from California to play MPMF! Seriously, great stuff!

Favorite Venue: Even though it seemed like whenever we found our way there the rain picked up big time, I have to go with The Know Theater. These guys did a great job, the sound was great, and it was just the perfect size… not to mention there were two stages there! Friday night with Pomegranates on stage upstairs, this place was jumping! Literally. (Honorable Mentions have to go to The Segway Room, The Grammer’s Tent & Javier’s! All three places did a tremendous job and added something very unique to MPMF!)

Favorite Venue Hurt Most By The Weather: Hands down, Arnold’s was severely hurt by the weather. Instead of the wonderful courtyard, they had their bands jammed into the corner of the second room including one of my picks for the festival, William F. Gibbs. The courtyard is great, but that room sadly was just too small and never seemed to be able to hold a crowd. Not quite sure why they didn’t have their tent up in the courtyard, but hopefully they do next year.

Favorite Early Food Stop: I had forgotten, but The Coffee Emporium serves Taste of Belgium waffles, and they are awesome! We swung in to catch Tracy Walker on Friday night and had ourselves a little piece of heaven.

Favorite Late Night Food Stop: Hands down, I gotta go with Cold Turkey on Sixth Street. We walked down there after The Pomegranates show on Friday night, and while the place was pretty quiet (not sure why!) the food was excellent… even the Cajun pretzels!

There’s just so much to see and do over the course of the three nights in downtown Cincinnati. I have to say from a bit of an urbanophile, MPMF even challenged me to go new places and see music in places I really didn’t even know existed. And, while I thought it was difficult putting together a plan for the weekend it was even harder trying to capture and share it with the readers of ENS.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend MPMF, what a three nights it was! We’d love to hear some of your favorite moments of the weekend, so please do share!