Midpoint Music Festival – Preview and Cant Miss Acts

Filed in Cincinnati, MP3s and Music News 0 comments

Alot has been said this year about Midpoint and the future of the fest here in Cincinnati. Some are saying its not looking so good with having to re-open bars on the dying street known as Main downtown. And its true, its not the organizers faults, its the city that is causing that problem. On the plus side, Ive seen that organizers are expecting a great crowd, which I hope happens.

Another thing that is difficult to see is the lineup. While I can see many great acts on the list, Im not seeing much that would get a casual music fan off the couch, and that is a necessary ingredient for something like this. But, despite the ebbs and flows ive just mentioned Midpoint is alive and kickin, ready for the 5th incarnation. Here are some of the bands Ill be doing my best not to miss, and as always, Im hoping to discover a few new names as well.

Extra Blue Kind – Indianapolis, IN (Coopers on Main 10pm Friday)
I missed these guys at MMS this summer due to a scheduling mishap, but since then Ive been enjoying their CD, “The Tide and the Undertow,” quite a bit.
Nathan Asher and the Infantry (Guido’s Corner Tap 12:15 Saturday)
Ive mentioned these guys here in the past and they are a band that you really should see before they get too big for fests like this. Winners of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for this tune, “Turn up the Faders”.
Nathan Asher and the Infantry- Turn Up The Faders
Captain of Industry - Dayton, OH (The Exchange 11:15 Friday)
An ENS and Midpoint favorite, Captains return for another go round supporting their great great album, “The Great Divide”, you gotta catch these guys as well.
Captain of Industry – It Might Be Me
Coltrane Motion- Chicago, IL
The band started by datawaslost headman Michael Bond, Coltrane Motion manages to mix indie rock with a tad of hippity hop and some more traditional rock as well.
Coltrane Motion- Pi Is Exactly Three (Jekyll & Hyde’s 2nd Floor 11:15 Friday)
The Minor Leagues Cincinnati, OH (J Hall 11:15 Friday)
Another Datawaslost artist, and another band we have profiled here on ENS, The Minor Leagues are still busy pushing their indie pop gem, The Pestilence Is Coming which came out earlier this year.
The Minor Leagues – Scene it all before
Bel Auburn – Ashland, OH (The Exchange 12:15 Thursday)
We have very recently fallen for the latest release from Ashland band Bel Auburn, should be a blast to catch them live as well.
Bel Auburn- Blind Ward
The Scourge of the Sea- Lexington, KY (Coopers 12am Saturday)
I caught the set from these guys at MMS and it was a pleasant surprise. Boasting some crossovers from another Lexington band, The Apparitions, Scourge have a great pop songwriting talent and sound that s more than worthy of your time.
Shane Bartell - Austin, TX (Know Theatre Upstairs 11:15 Saturday)
If there is a singer that is playing this fest that you havent heard of but will love it is Shane Bartell. Mixing his great songwriting along with a dynamic voice, Shane will mesmerize you with his recordings and Ive hear the live set is even better.
Shane Bartell – Dont Believe Everything