(All this week, ENS writers are gearing up for the MidPoint Music Festival here in Cincinnati. Today, Dave Rolfes runs down his 5 most anticipated bands that are playing the festival this weekend!)
Like other ENS writers, I was given the gargantuan task of trying to whittle down 270 bands to a top 5 for the weekend. As most of these bands are new to me, I started by going through the great CityBeat Preview from a few weeks back and tried to narrow the field down. That little process got me from 270 to 62. I’m sure there were some I overlooked, but 62 seemed like it was a good jumping off point.

Of the 62, I could honestly say I’d be happy to stumble into about every one of them and incredibly happy if I found my way into about 30 of them. 270 to 62 to 30… now that’s progress! Of the 30 or so, I actually discounted local bands only because I figured that I’d be able to easily find them at other times through the year. More progress!

Anyways, here are my Top 5 bands that I’m looking forward to seeing at MPMF this weekend. As of about 11pm on Monday night. Subject to change. Yada yada yada.

The Young Republic – This band is all over the map really, and that’s a good thing. They currently hail from the great state of Tennessee, but are signed to British label End of the Road Records, and are embarking on quite a trip when they come in for MPMF. Think something like Spoon, but with classical training, these guys get a chance to play twice on Thursday with a 6:15pm set on Fountain Square and a Midnight closer over at The Blue Wisp. If you miss them at MPMF, don’t worry as it looks like they’ll be back through town come late November supporting the soon to be released Balletesque.

instrument – Playing Thursday at 11:00pm at Javier’s is the band instrument. Fairly straightforward pop music is the craft that these four guys are working on and they are sounding great. They have also played the Warped Tour as well as the M.E.A.N.Y. Festival as well as a few others and have been hailed as one of the best independent bands in the state of Connecticut.

Twilight Revival – Dropping in on MPMF from Chicago is Twilight Revival. They are slated for the Dewey’s Pizza Stage at the Know Theatre on Saturday at 9:30pm and they sound like the Midwest. They are very guitar driven, and have just enough rust belt in their music that it rings true for folks from around the area. Think back to early Uncle Tupelo albums, then scale the miner theme back, add electric guitar, and mix in some solid songwriting and that’s what you get with Twilight Revival.

In Cadeo – One of the many Brooklyn bands descending on Cincy for MPMF is In Cadeo. They are slated for Cadillac Ranch on Saturday at 9:00pm and they will definitely rock that cowboy joint. While some of the slower moments during In Cadeo songs remind me of The National, they definitely rock a harder than our favorite prodigal sons. Can’t wait to see these guys ride the bull at The Ranch!

William F. Gibbs – The singer-songwriter genre is exhausted, right? Well, M Ward has shown us that it is not, and William F Gibbs is out to prove the same point. With some southern soul mixed in with a huge a grab bag of instruments you’re not quite sure what you’re going to get from one song to the next, but it one thing for sure is that it always sounds great. Catch Mr. Gibbs closing out the festival at Arnold’s on Saturday at Midnight.

Honorable Mentions – The Greens, The Lighthouse & The Whaler, Jason Isbell, Dick Prall, Say It With a Smile, Pale Hollow, Yardsale, Sarah Borges, etc. etc. etc.

Times With Tons of Conflicts – As I reviewed my plans, Thursday at 10pm and Saturday at Midnight are incredible. It would be hard to go wrong with anything at those times during the weekend. Seriously, you wanna talk about finishing strong? Saturday at Midnight is quite simply crazy time!

Special Note – As I did my homework, I noticed that there is still some fluidity to the MPMF schedule so make sure you check out your local listings before heading out. That’s just us looking out for you!

About Joe Long

Joe started ENS in 2003 after most people he wanted to talk to about music were worn thin by his ramblings. The outlet this site provided helped out, and somehow is still going 9 years later. After a four year stint as a WOXY DJ, Joe returned to Cincinnati and continues to pioneer ENS. In addition to the overall look and feel of the site, Joe provides regular reviews, and kinda makes sure this whole thing stays afloat.