Organizers of Cincinnati’s MidPoint Music Festival recently announced a few new things for 2010 that will be taking place at a rather unusual venue. They’ve teamed up with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, located at 800 Vine Street in downtown, which aside from music showcases, will also feature art (photography) and film exhibitions.

The photography exhibit, Where the Kids are Goin’ Tonite, will feature concert photography from John Curley, David Garza and Michael Wilson, that include photos of acts like Henry Rollins, Lyle Lovett, Sleater-Kinney, and locals Magnolia Mountain, The Greenhornes and Wussy. This particular exhibit actually runs through October 8, but will open on the night of Wednesday, September 15 (5-7 pm). WNKU’s Mr. Rhythm Man will be hosting the event, and Curley, Garza and Wilson will be on hand to talk about their work. There will also be some prize giveaways on opening night, which include passes to MidPoint.

The film exhibit (taking place during the days of MidPoint, September 23-25) will screen several documentaries highlighting Cincinnati’s musical past. At 1:30 pm you can catch the WLWT-produced Midsummer Rock, which documents the Cincinnati Summer Pop Festival that took place in 1970, and captured some of the first filmed performances of artists like Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop and Grand Funk Railroad, as well as rare footage of Steve Winwood’s Traffic. At 3 pm, Keeping the Beat honors the career of Philip Paul, the former King Records house drummer, who has recorded with artists like Little Willie John, Freddie King, Tiny Bradshaw and Hank Ballard.. At 3:30 pm, take a closer look at The Historic Southgate House, which tells of its storied past, once home to General John Thompson, inventor of the Tommy Gun, and host of former Presidents like Abe Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. Lastly, at 4 pm, follow one of Cincinnati’s best-known bands, The Afghan Whigs, in a film documenting their 1993 European tour.

As for the music showcases that will take place just outside in the library’s terrace, here is the schedule:

Thursday, September 23
Noon Magnolia Mountain
4 pm The Bears of Blue River

Friday, September 24
Noon The Young Republic with Adrien and the Fine Print
4 pm Tobie Milford

Saturday, September 25
Noon The Coppertone
4 pm The Trouble with Boys

On a side note: All exhibits happening at the library including music are free and open to the public

Saturday, September 25

Downtown

Arnold’s
210 E 8th Street
(513)421-6234
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 The Galt Line (Americana/Roots) (Washington DC)
10:15 Michael Saranga (Pop) (France)
11:15 Jessie Torrisi & the Please, Please Me (Americana/Pop) (Brooklyn/Austin)

Before coming into her own as a front woman of her own band, Jessie Torrisi (dubbed “The Female Levon Helm”) played drums in about a dozen other bands – yeah she sings from behind the drum kit and plays a number of other instruments too. She’s charming, poetic and soulful, much like a Regina Spektor, Chan Marshall or Leslie Feist, and her songs are about the normal kinda stuff like love. If you have a kazoo you may want to bring it, as she often pulls people from the crowd to join her onstage. Check out Jessie and her band – was I not clear? – if you’re into Regina Spektor, Cat Power or Feist.

12:15 River City Extension (Freak Folk) (Toms River, NJ)

What started out as the primarily local, acoustic-based coffee house project of Joseph Michelini, has developed into a nationally recognized, eight member musical tribe. With a familiar Jersey shore sound, as well as hints of country, folk and punk rock, River City Extension and their energetic, no holds barred live show has earned them opening slots for such acts as Squeeze, Cake and Robert Randolph, to name just a few. It seems as though they like taking matters in their own hands, as they had full control over both production and distribution of their first EP, 2008′s Nautical Sabbatical. In 2009 they brought their live show to life in the studio with their full length debut, The Unmistakable Man, and have since signed on with XOXO Records, home to The Gaslight Anthem. Check them out if you’re into Bright Eyes, The Avett Brothers or Mumford and Sons.

Blue Wisp (Cincinnati Bell Stage)
318 E 8th Street
(513)241-9477
Wristband or $15 at the door

9:30 Sam Lamont (Blues/Roots) (Morgantown, WV)
10:30 Overnight (New York)
11:30 Fairmount Girls (Indie Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
12:30 Elf Power (Folk/Psychedelic) (Athens, GA)

Contemporary Arts Center (Vitamin Water MidPoint of View)
44 E 6th Street
(513)345-8400
Wristband or $15 at the door – All Ages

9:30 uvi.lov (Electro/Indie Pop) (Mexico)
10:30 Wolf Ram Heart (Psychedelic Pop) (Ohio)
11:30 A Place to Bury Strangers (Noise Rock/Post-Punk) (Brooklyn, NY)

These guys are known as the loudest band around. They create heavy, atmospheric, psychedelic walls of sound. That’s exactly what it felt like in the Southgate House when I saw them earlier this year. I’m surprised the building is still standing and that I can even still hear. You’re gonna want to bring your ear plugs for this one because this show in “The Black Box” is gonna be one for the ages.

FB’s
126 W 6th Street
(513)784-0403
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 The Actors (Electro/Indie Rock) (San Francisco, CA)
10:00 Sons of Hippies (Funk/Psychedelic) (Tampa Bay, FL)
11:00 Boutros (Electro/Indie Pop) (Chicago, IL)
12:00 Kinetic Stereokids (Experimental/Hip Hop) (Chicago, IL)

Originally hailing from Flint, Michigan but now based out of the Windy City, these guys have brought a bit of those cities into their sound, which is a tough and gritty yet sophisticated hypnotic use of beats and samples. Their 2007 debut, Basement Kids, landed on CMJ’s 200 list, and they have since toured with The Secret Machines and Explosions in the Sky, and released their follow up, Kid Moves, in 2008. Comparisons range from the Beastie Boys and Beck, to Elliott Smith and Mogwai. 

Fountain Square
5th and Vine Street
Free – All Ages

7:00 Bastard Suns
8:00 TBA
9:00 Midnight Spin (Rock) (New York)
10:00 Oh My God (Indie Rock) (Chicago, IL)

Inner Peace Center
708 Walnut Street
(513)784-0403
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:15 Mrs Danvers (Dance/Indie Pop) (Boston, MA)
9:15 Run With Bulls (Rock) (Nashville, TN)
10:15 Hollus (Americana/Psychedelic Rock) (Chicago, IL)
11:15 Unwed Sailor (Instrumental/Post-Rock) (Tulsa, OK)

Jonathon Ford began writing instrumental anthems with Seattle’s Roadside Monument. In 1998 he formed Unwed Sailor, which has had an ever evolving cast of musicians. Their Eno-inspired albums, which has included members of Pedro the Lion and Fleet Foxes, has served as short film soundtracks for indie film maker Chris Bennett. They have a classical baroque feel and an occasional use of toy-like percussion to create nursery rhyme-like melodies. They’re energetic, melodic and dancey, not to mention one of the most unique bands you’ll ever hear.

Madonna’s
11 E 7th Street
(513)621-8838
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Mack West (Country) (Florence, KY)
9:30 Jarrod Dickenson (Blues/Folk) (Austin, TX)
10:30 Johnnie Ninety-Nine (Bluegrass/Country) (Canada)
11:30 Shelley Miller (Alternative/Folk) (Chicago, IL)

Main Event
835 Main Street
(513)421-1294
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:30 The Prohibitionists (Blues/Garage Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Natural Child (Garage Rock/Punk) (Nashville, TN)
11:30 Gentleman Jesse and His Men (Garage Rock/Powerpop/Punk) (Atlanta, GA)
12:30 The Strange Boys (Country/Garage Rock/R&B) (Austin, TX)

Mainstay
301 W 5th Street
(513)721-7625
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 Chaselounge (Powerpop) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 Oblio (Americana/Rock) (Nashville, TN)
11:00 Parachute Musical (Indie Rock) (Nashville, TN)
12:00 Pomegranates (Indie Pop) (Cincinnati, OH)

Washington Platform
1000 Elm Street
(513)421-0110
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:00 Sohio (Surf) (Seven Mile, OH)
9:00 Plastic Inevitables (Garage Pop) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 Aficionado (Post-Punk) (Albany, NY)

This ten-piece collective is what I guess you would imagine a punk rock circus would be like – and they’ve even got a ring master. They’ve also got a horn section and other unconventional methods of instrumentation, and why not, their influences include everyone from The Beatles and Jethro Tull, to King Crimson, The Flaming Lips, Muse and At the Drive-In.

11:00 Mike Fair & the Adventure Seekers (Folk Rock) Cincinnati, OH)

Over the Rhine

ArtWorks
20 E Central Parkway
(513)333-0388
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:00 +/- (Electro/Indie Pop) (Brooklyn, NY)
9:00 Candy Claws
10:00 For Algernon (Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:00 Love in October (Indie Pop) (Chicago, IL)

Brothers Erik and Kent Widman formed the band in Minneapolis in 2006. Upon moving to Chicago, the band was rounded out with the additions of Andrew Russell, Vik Chaudhry and Ivan Sosa who have served as essential assets of their dancey, pop sound. 2008 saw their debut, Pontus, The Devil and Me, land at #45 on CMJ’s 200 list.

Below Zero Lounge (All Night Party Label Showcase)
1122 Walnut Street
(513)421-9376
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 Fists of Love (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 The Chocolate Horse (Experimental/Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:00 Oxford Cotton (Psychedelic Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
12:00 The Sundresses (Cincinnati, OH)

Courtyard Cafe
1211 Main Street
(513)723-1119
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 Weakness (Punk/Soul) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:15 Conductive Alliance (Experimental/Pop) (Chicago, IL)
11:15 The Odd Trio (Funk/Jazz) (Athens, GA)
12:15 The Lorax Tree (Drum ‘n Bass) (Cleveland, OH)

The Original Tax Place
1335 Main Street
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Where They Landed (Ambient/Jazz) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:30 Ben Lapps (Acoustic) (Mason, OH)
10:30 Shiny and the Spoon (Acoustic/Pop) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:30 Bella Ruse (Folk) (Minneapolis, MN)

Grammer’s (Topic Design Tent)
1440 Walnut Street
(513)421-8300
Wristband or $20 at the door

7:30 (The) Tony Castles (Funk/R&B) (Brooklyn, NY)
8:30 Caravan of Thieves (Folk/Jazz) (Bridgeport, CT)
9:30 Tom Tom Club (New Wave)

Jack Potts Tavern
1150 Main Street
(513)827-9357
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 Colour Revolt (Indie Rock) (Oxford, MS)

The guys from this band have been playing together since their high school days, where they were first known as Foxxe, and then Fletcher. In 2005 they recorded their first EP as Colour Revolt, which quickly led to mass critical acclaim, signing with Interscope Records and touring with Brand New. They’ve since signed on with Fat Possum Records, made their full length debut in 2008, were named the “Best New Band” from Mississippi, and shared the stage with Dinosaur Jr., Black Lips and Okkervil River, just to name a few.

10:00 The Coppertone (Blues/Soul) (Canada)
11:00 Black Owls (Americana/Garage Rock) (Granville, OH)
12:00 Ha Ha Tonka (Southern Rock) (Springfield, MO)

Know Theatre (Dewey’s Pizza Stage)
1120 Jackson Street
(513)300-5669
Wristband or $15 at the door

Upstairs
9:30 Culture Queer (Electro/Experimental) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Josiah Wolf
11:30 Phantogram (Electro/Indie Pop) (Greenwich, NY)

These guys formed just a few years ago, and were previously known as Charlie Everywhere, where they released a number of EP’s. As Phantogram, they’re a psychedelic, melodic, hip-hop influenced duo, who released their debut, Eyelid Movies, earlier this year. They’ve toured with Brazilian Girls, The Slip and Minus the Bear, just to name a few.

Downstairs
TBA

Media Bridges
1100 Race Street
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:15 Say It With A Smile (Acoustic/Rock) (Champaign, IL)
9:15 Joey Hebdo
10:15 Villagers (Folk/Indie Rock) (Ireland)

Mixx Ultra Lounge
1203 Main Street
(513)621-6499
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Foster Grants (Garage Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:30 Koala Fires (Alternative Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Soft Speaker (Pop/Rock) (Chicago, IL)
11:30 Librarians (Indie Pop/Psychedelic) (Morgantown, WV)

MOTR Pub
1345 Main Street
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 Kopecky Family Band (Indie Pop) (Detroit, MI)
10:15 TBA
11:15 Clovers (Indie Rock) (Cleveland, OH)
12:15 Cults (Indie Pop) (New York)

Mr. Pitiful’s
1323 Main Street
(513)369-0202
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 stephaniesid (Indie Pop) (Asheville, NC)
9:30 Wade Baker (Jazz) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Marvin & the Experience (Hip Hop/R&B/Soul) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:30 The Right Now (Pop/Soul) (Chicago, IL)

Neon’s (Gold Star Chili Artist Clubhouse)
208 E 12th Street
(513)479-1030
Free

Songwriters in the Round, TBA

Segway of Cincinnati
1150 Vine Street
(513)225-1583
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 TBA
9:30 Evan Holmes and Exit Ghost (Americana/Folk) (Chicago, IL)
10:30 Moon High (Folk/Psychedelic) (Columbus, OH)
11:30 The Bone Setters (Folk/Gospel) (Muncie, IN)

Newport, KY

Southgate House
24 E 3rd Street
(859)431-2201
Wristband or tickets in advance – All Ages

9:00 Jason and the Scorchers (Country/Punk Rock) (Nashville, TN)
Others TBA

Friday, September 24

Downtown

Arnold’s
210 E 8th Street
(513)421-6234
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 Uncle Mountain (Folk/Indie Rock) (Asheville, NC)
10:15 Richard Thorne (Country/Folk) (New York)
11:15 Girls Guns and Glory (Americana/Rock) (Boston, MA)
12:15 The Cincy Brass (Funk/Soul) (Cincinnati, OH)

Blue Wisp (Cincinnati Bell Stage)
318 E 8th Street
(513)241-9477
Wristband or $15 at the door

9:30 The Harlequins (Psychedelic/Soul) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 High Heels (Electro/Post-Punk) (Germany)
11:30 Unicycle Loves You (Indie Rock) (Chicago, IL)
12:30 Babe the Blue Ox (Experimental/Post-Punk) (Brooklyn, NY)

Cincinnati Club
30 Garfield Place
(513)621-6365
Wristband or $15 at the door

9:30 Secret Show (3-Day Wristband Holders Only)
10:30 TBA
11:30 Surfer Blood (Indie Pop) (West Palm Beach, FL)

Contemporary Arts Center (Vitamin Water MidPoint of View)
44 E 6th Street
(513)345-8400
Wristband or $15 at the door – All Ages

9:30 Slow Claw (Indie Rock) (Nashville, TN)
10:30 Native (Rock) (Indiana)
11:30 Fang Island (Powerpop) (Brooklyn, NY)

FB’s
126 W 6th Street
(513)784-0403
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 TBA
10:00 Silverghost (Pop Rock) (Detroit, MI)
11:00 Loyal Divide (Electro/Psychedelic) (Chicago, IL)
12:00 The Chain Gang of 1974 (Indie Rock/Soul) (Denver, CO)

Fountain Square
5th and Vine Street
Free – All Ages

7:00 Filligar (Folk/Indie Rock) (Chicago, IL)

The guys of Filligar got together to form the band in the year 2000, when they were just teenagers. Ten years later and with over seventy songs in their catalogue, they’ve become one of the top college radio bands in the country and are most famous on MTVu’s “Best Music on Campus.” Their influences range from the Beatles and Stones, to the Flaming Lips and Radiohead, to Wilco and Sufjan Stevens. They’ve also toured with the Black Keys, Eve 6 and Stroke 9.

8:00 Lunic (Indie Rock) (Albany, NY)

Lunic is led by the classically-trained violist/poet Kaitee Page, who formed the band in London, 2008. Having lived in music hot spots like Nashville, L.A., New York City and London, as well as Las Vegas, she brings a little personality from each of those cities into her music. Her first single, “Him”, was nominated by the L.A. Music Awards for “Rock Single of the Year.” She was also a Top 3 finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, among countless other awards. Page’s influences include Muse, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metric and Kate Nash, and she toured with Creed and Moby.

9:00 blueVenus (Toronto)
10:00 O’ Brother (Ambient) (Atlanta, GA)

Inner Peace Center
708 Walnut Street
(513)784-0403
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:15 TBA
9:15 Cash Flagg (Indie Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:15 Lovely Crash (Pop Punk) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:15 The Icy Shores (Indie) (Minneapolis, MN)

Madonna’s
11 E 7th Street
(513)621-8838
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Twangtown Paramours (Americana) (Nashville, TN)
9:30 The County Line (Louisville, KY)
10:30 Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Sheiks (Americana/Roots) (Asheville, NC)
11:30 Jake Speed & the Freddies (Americana/Roots) (Cincinnati, OH)

Main Event
835 Main Street
(513)421-1294
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:30 TBA
10:30 Soapland (Cincinnati, OH)
11:30 Ketch Harbour Wolves (Alternative Rock) (Toronto)
12:30 Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (Indie Pop) (Chicago, IL)

Mainstay
301 W 5th Street
(513)721-7625
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 The Lights Out (Alternative Rock) (Boston, MA)
10:00 The Uniphonics
11:00 Eric Tepe Band (Alternative Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
12:00 Seabird (Alternative Pop) (Cincinnati, OH)

Washington Platform
1000 Elm Street
(513)421-0110
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:00 46 Long (Acoustic/Blues) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:00 The Rubber Knife Gang (Bluegrass/Roots) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 Dylan Charles (Americana/Soul) (Bisbee, AZ)
11:00 Grooveshire (Blues/Soul) (Cincinnati, OH)

Over the Rhine

ArtWorks
20 E Central Parkway
(513)333-0388
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:00 POKE (Garage Rock/Pop Punk) (Verona, KY)
9:00 Adrien and the Fine Print (Folk/Indie Rock) (Nashville, TN)
10:00 The Young Republic (Blues/Folk) (Nashville, TN)
11:00 Henry Wagons (Alternative Country) (Australia)

 Below Zero Lounge(ReThink Pop Music Label Showcase)
1122 Walnut Street
(513)421-9376
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Ambassadors (Brooklyn, NY)
9:30 The Yes Way (Progressive Rock) (Brooklyn, NY)
10:30 The Aviation Orange (Indie Rock) (Brooklyn, NY)
11:30 The Vanguard (Indie Pop)

Courtyard Cafe
1211 Main Street
(513)723-1119
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 Wm Perry (Alternative Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:15 Me & Mountains (Powerpop) (Dayton, OH)
11:15 Ollie Childs (Acoustic/Folk) (England)

The Original Tax Place
1335 Main Street
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Amanda Lucas & Audrey Cecil (Acoustic/Folk) (Louisville, KY)
9:30 Blue Cut (Folk/Roots) (Bloomington, IN)
10:30 Monkeytonk (Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:30 The Tillers (Americana/Roots) (Cincinnati, OH)

Grammer’s (Topic Design Tent)
1440 Walnut Street
(513)421-8300
Wristband or $15 at the door

7:30 Enlou (Indie Pop) (Cincinnati, OH)
8:30 The Seedy Seeds (Electro/Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:30 Caribou (Electro/Psychedelic) (Canada)

Band founder, Dan Snaith, named his band after taking an LSD trip in the Canadian wilderness. The four-piece that includes two drummers, relies heavily on synths, samples and synchronized visuals. In their short time, they’ve produced five full-length albums, which styles range from jazzy folktronica, to 70′s prog, to psychedelic pop, to disco.

Jack Potts Tavern
1150 Main Street
(513)827-9357
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 Tom Evanchuck (Acoustic/Folk) (Chardon, OH)
10:00 J. Dorsey Blues Revival (Blues/Psychedelic) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:00 The Delta Saints (Southern Rock) (Nashville, TN)
12:00 Death on Two Wheels (Indie Rock) (Atlanta, GA)

Know Theatre (Dewey Pizza Stage)
1120 Jackson Street
(513)300-5669
Wristband or $15 at the door

Upstairs

9:30 TBA
10:30 Drink Up Buttercup
11:30 Royal Bangs

Downstairs
TBA

Media Bridges
1100 Race Street
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:15 The Happy Maladies (Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:15 Tobie Milford (Folk) (Scottsdale, AZ)
10:15 Where’s Lawrence? (Folk/Soul) (Arkansas)
11:15 Trey Lockerbie

Mixx Ultra Lounge
1203 Main Street
(513)621-6499
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Nathan Xander & Witchouse (Folk/Roots) (Chicago, IL)
9:30 Sparrow Bellows (Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Sam Goodwill (Electro/Soul) (Youngstown, OH)
11:30 Milktooth (Pop) (Nashville, TN)

MOTR Pub
1345 Main Street
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 Darlene
10:15 J. Glenn (Blues/Country/Folk)
11:15 Lower Dens (New Wave) (Baltimore, MD)
12:15 Brighton, MA (Indie Rock) (Chicago, IL)

After Matthew Kerstein left the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, he went on to form this band. Unlike Scotland Yard, Brighton, MA is highly inspired by the sounds from the late 60′s and early 70′s, although you’ll most likely enjoy both. Brighton, MA has toured with everyone from the Violent Femmes and Arcade Fire, to Spoon, of Montreal and the Fiery Furnaces.

Mr. Pitiful’s
1323 Main Street
(513)369-0202
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Nate Collinsworth (Jazz) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:30 Honneycombs (Alternative Rock/Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Goose (Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:30 Daughters & Sons (Funk/R&B) (Cincinnati, OH)

Neon’s (Gold Star Chili Artist Clubhouse)
208 E 12th Street
(513)479-1030
Free

Songwriters in the Round, TBA

Segway of Cincinnati
1150 Vine Street
(513)225-1583
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Come on Caboose (Indie Pop) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:30 Iamis (Folk/Psychedelic Rock) (Louisville, KY)
10:30 Aaron Daniel (Acoustic/Rock) (Seattle, WA)
11:30 North Highlands (Folk/Psychedelic) (Brooklyn, NY)

Newport, KY

Southgate House
24 E 3rd Street
(859)431-2201
Wristband or $12 in advance – All Ages

9:00 So Cow
10:00 The Lions Rampant (Blues/Garage Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:00 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (Powerpop/Punk)

Organizers of the annual MidPoint Music Festival recently unveiled the schedule for this year’s September festival. Here’s a brief look at who’s playing the first day of the festival. Make sure to head down to Fountain Square this Friday for Indie Summer, where it’ll be your last chance to get your discounted tickets for the festival (after this Friday, tickets will go from $29 to $39). And be sure to stay tuned to BrokenMic.com, where I’ll be previewing and reviewing the festival.

Thursday, September 23

Downtown

Arnold’s
210 E 8th Street
(513)421-6234
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 Messerly & Ewing (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 Red Rooster (Americana/Blues/Folk Rock) (New York)
11:00 Andy Cook and the Wander Loons (Folk/Roots) (Oberlin, OH)
12:00 Coralee and the Townies (Roots/Soul) (Lexington, KY)

Blue Wisp (Cincinnati Bell Stage)
318 E 8th Street
(513)241-9477
Wristband or $15 at the door

8:30 Gaby Moreno (Acoustic/Soul) (Los Angeles, CA)
9:30  Clare and the Reasons (Folk/Pop) (Brooklyn, NY)
10:30 Van Dyke Parks (Singer/Songwriter) (Hattiesburg, MS)

Cincinnati Club
30 Garfield Place
(513)621-6365
Wristband or $15 at the door

8:30 Eat Sugar (Electronic/Indie) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:30 Indian Jewelry (Noise Rock/Post-Punk) (Houston, TX)
10:30 You, You’re Awesome (Electro) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:30 Holy F*ck (Electro/Experimental) (Toronto)

Contemporary Arts Center (Vitamin Water MidPoint of View)
44 E 6th Street
(513)345-8400
Wristband or $15 at the door – All Ages

9:00  State Song (Post-Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00  No No Knots (Experimental/Indie Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:00 Shonen Knife (Pop Punk) (Japan)

FB’s (Receptor Records Showcase)
126 W 6th Street
(513)784-0403
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:00 Kelly Fine (Acoustic) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:00 Despite the Lion (Alternative Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 Drew Laplante & the Broke Jones (Acoustic/Folk) (Covington, KY)
11:00 Pete Dressman & the 6 Five Shooters (Alternative Rock/Blues) (Ft. Mitchell, KY)

Fountain Square
5th and Vine Street
Free – All Ages

7:00 The Broken Lyre (Electro/Rock) (Niagra Falls)
8:00 Konniption Fit (Pop Punk) (Detroit, MI)
9:00 Channel Theory (Alternative Rock) (Chicago, IL)
10:00 Brent Reed (Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)

Inner Peace Center
708 Walnut Street
(513)784-0403
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:15 The Wet Darlings (Indie Pop) (Columbus, OH)
9:15 The Kyle Sowashes (Indie Pop) (Columbus, OH)
10:15 She’s In Orbit

Madonna’s
11 E 7th Street
(513)621-8838
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 The Crick Gypsies (Americana/Roots) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:30 Hickory Robot (Americana/Bluegrass) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Star and Micey (Folk/Soul) (Memphis, TN)
11:30 Annie and the Beekeepers (Folk) (Brooklyn, NY)

Main Event
835 Main Street
(513)421-1294
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:30 A Shoreline Dream (Post-Rock/Psychedelic) (Denver, CO)
10:30 Kry Kids (Electro/Post-Punk) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:30 Loto Ball Show (Post-Punk) (Chicago/L.A.)
12:30 Banderas (Post-Punk) (Cincinnati, OH)

Mainstay
301 W 5th Street
(513)721-7625
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Eclipse
9:30 Buckra (Alternative Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Karate Coyote (Post-Rock) (Columbus, OH)
11:30 A Minor Bird (Indie Rock) (Canton, OH)

Washington Platform
1000 Elm Street
(513)421-0110
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:00 The Heartlanders (Folk/Indie Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
9:00 Frontier Folk Nebraska (Americana/Rock) (Covington, KY)
10:00 The Western (Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)

Over the Rhine

ArtWorks
20 E Central Parkway
(513)333-0388
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 The Bears of Blue River (Folk/Soul) (Chicago, IL)
10:00 The Hiders (Alternative Country/Psychedelic Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:00 Richard Buckner (Alternative Country) (California)

Below Zero Lounge (Standard Records Showcase)
1122 Walnut Street
(513)421-9376
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:00 Slothpop (Indianapolis, IN)
9:00 Wah Wahs
10:00 Dead Beats (Experimental Pop) (Indianapolis, IN)
11:00 Jascha (Country/Folk) (Indianapolis, IN)
12:00 Thunderhawk (Garage Rock) (Indianapolis, IN)
1:00 Amo Joy! (Psychedelic Pop) (Indianapolis, IN)

Courtyard Cafe
1211 Main Street
(513)723-1119
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 Greg Loving
10:15 Oso Bear (Cincinnati, OH)
11:15 Astro Fang (Alternative Rock) (Dayton, OH)
12:15 Monolithic Cloud Parade (Columbus, OH)

Grammer’s (Topic Design Tent)
1440 Walnut Street
(513)421-8300
Wristband or $15 at the door

7:30 Wussy (Alternative Rock/Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)
8:30 Male Bonding (Noise Rock/Punk) (England)
9:30 Best Coast (Surf Pop) (Los Angeles, CA)

Jack Potts Tavern
1150 Main Street
(513)827-9357
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:00 Mad Anthony (Garage Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 Walk the Moon (Indie Pop) (Cincinnati, OH)
11:00 Fools for Rowan (Alternative/Pop Punk) (Nashville, TN)
12:00 The Pass (New Wave) (Louisville, KY)

Although New Wave may have its popularity peak in the 80′s, that doesn’t mean it’s dead or can’t exist in the 21st century. Meet Louisville’s The Pass. Inspired by the synth sounds from the 80′s and bands like Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem and Justice, The Pass is out fighting for a spot to led the way for New Age New Wave.

Know Theatre (Dewey’s Pizza Stage)
1120 Jackson Street
(513)300-5669
Wristband or $15 at the door

Upstairs
9:00 Nathan Holscher (Americana/Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:00 Jessica Lea Mayfield (Alternative Country/Folk) (Kent, OH)
11:00 Justin Townes Earle (Americana/Western Swing) (Nashville, TN)

Downstairs
TBA

Mixx Ultra Lounge
1203 Main Street
(513)621-6499
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Waiting On Ben
9:30 The Ready Stance (Alternative Rock) (Cincinnati, OH)
10:30 Gold Motel (Indie Pop) (Chicago, IL)
11:30 The Sewing Circle (Indie Pop) (NY/Chicago)

MOTR Pub
1345 Main Street
Wristband or $10 at the door

9:15 Barnaby Bright (Acoustic/Folk) (Brooklyn, NY)
10:15 Super Desserts (Pop) (Columbus, OH)
11:15 Light Pollution (Psychedelic Rock) (Chicago, IL)

Mr. Pitiful’s
1323 Main Street
(513)369-0202
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 The Bergamot (Folk/Soul) (Ft. Wayne, IN)|
9:30 Andrew Bean and the Lady Apollo (Americana) (Indianapolis, IN)
10:30 Magnolia Mountain (Americana/Folk) (Cincinnati, OH)

Neon’s (Gold Star Chili Artist Clubhouse)
208 E 12th Street
(513)479-1030
Free

Songwriters in the Round, TBA

Segway of Cincinnati
1150 Vine Street
(513)225-1583
Wristband or $10 at the door

8:30 Allison Tartalia (Alternative Pop) (New York)
9:30 Leaf Bird (Folk/Indie Rock) (Chicago, IL)
10:30 Via Tania (Acoustic/Electro) (Chicago, IL)

Newport, KY

Southgate House
24 E 3rd Street
(859)431-2201
Wristband or $12 in advance – All Ages

9:00 Cameron McGill & What Army (Folk/Psychedelic) (Chicago, IL)
10:00 The Lonely Forest (Pop) (Anacortes, WA)
11:00 Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s (Chamber Pop/Folk) (Indianapolis, IN)

These guys have become a favorite, not just from us here at BrokenMic (which actually only consists of me) but also here in Cincinnati, where they seem to stop in town year after year for multiple showings. In 2004 they debuted as an eight-piece, but after five members left the band last year and went on to form Pravada, the band has built back up to an orchestral chamber pop sextet. Comparisons range from Arcade Fire and the Decemberists, to Paul Simon and Conor Oberst.