Aaron Williams
Photos by Kathleen Ambre
Summer is typically considered the prime season for festivals, and this year was no exception. With the emergence of the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, and the return of the Basilica Block Party, Minnesota festivals experienced a bounce-back year. While those big events filled a recent void in the Twin Cities, they are far from the only worthy festivals in the state.
Take the annual Grand Rapids Riverfest, for example. This mid-size festival has recently brought many big names and high-quality rock, indie, and Americana acts to the northern part of the state.
Following tradition, the 2024 iteration took place the Saturday after Labor Day, bringing with it a major headliner in Spoon and an undercard full of some excellent rock and Americana groups.
Though early September weather can vary tremendously, that weekend felt firmly like fall, with a high temperature in the mid-60’s. That and the very reasonable crowd size (approximately 2,000) made the event feel comfortable and easy to navigate in ways that many of the larger summer counterparts do not.
With five great acts spread out over the course of the afternoon and evening, the pace and energy of the festival was fantastic, and the good vibes reverberated throughout the ground and the surrounding town.
Music in Minnesota was on-site at the festival and caught all of the action.
Corey Medina & Brothers
One of the best parts of festivals is seeing local and regional acts play early in the day. At the best festivals, these acts reflect and represent the region they hail from, giving them a chance to play in front of a larger audience, and giving attendees the experience of hearing great local music.
Festival openers Corey Medina & Brothers lived up to that and more, not only bringing a northern Minnesota flavor, but likely winning over many new fans in the process. Their bluesy, soulful rock and roll grooved along at a pace perfectly suited for the early part of the festival.
S.G. Goodman
With so much talent in the Americana scene these days, it can feel like there are a million under-the-radar acts to discover. Though she has made a name for herself on the back of three exceptional albums, several choice collaborations and lots of touring, Kentucky’s S.G. Goodman hasn’t just yet reached household name status. In her festival set, she showed why she should absolutely be in the conversation among the best. Goodman’s sharp writing and strong, distinctly southern voice combined with her tight rock band made for an evocative and powerful second set. The band played loud and with urgency, especially on “The Way I talk” and a propulsive, cathartic cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “Lungs.” There is nothing like watching a rock band tearing down a stage and firing on all cylinders. Goodman and her band scratched that itch and then some.
Sarah Jarosz
Perhaps the finest all-around set of the festival was that of Sarah Jarosz. Touring in support of her January release Polaroid Lovers, Jarosz is the musical equivalent of a triple threat, capable of most anything on stage or on record. Her voice, her playing, and her writing are all top-notch, and all were on display in full force.
One of the best albums of the year, Polaroid Lovers showcased a more polished sound, putting the spotlight squarely on Jarosz’s stellar songcraft. These tunes comprised the bulk of the set, with memorable melodies and a fantastic band, leaving little to be desired.
Shakey Graves
The word that kept coming to mind while watching Shakey Graves’ play the festival’s penultimate set was ‘charisma.’ Whether playing by himself with just his electric guitar or backed by his band, Graves went above and beyond, capturing and holding the growing audience’s attention from end to end. Showcasing his significant storytelling ability and wit alongside the high-energy music, there wasn’t a dull moment in the set.
Featuring raucous moments alongside some more vulnerable ones, Graves won over the crowd with his authenticity and relatability. At points, he talked about the project’s growth over the years, from playing small stages to now playing some very large ones. For anybody watching the magnetic set, it was clear exactly how and why that has happened.
Spoon
As veterans of Rock the Garden (RIP), the Basilica Block Party, and many others, Spoon’s festival cred was set in stone eons ago. In their Riverfest set, they drew liberally from many eras of their remarkably consistent catalog.
Though close to their fourth decade and a little past their most recent studio release (2022’s Lucifer on the Sofa), Spoon sounded as fresh and hungry as ever, with frontman Britt Daniel’s voice still strong and engaging.
A band that has been good for so long sometimes gets taken for granted, so it was inspiring to see them put on such a strong performance in the headlining slot. Like the supporting acts, Spoon also benefitted from excellent sound and lights, the wonderful, cooperative weather, and a general sense of positivity that permeated the entire day. It was a triumphant end to a great day of music, one that won’t soon be forgotten.
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