Day 3 of Homegrown required some logistical planning. While technically it’s Canal Park Night, two venues were up on Superior Street and nearly a mile apart, and the blue pedestrian bridge which would normally make hopping between Vikre and the DECC a breeze was out of commission. The only option for most fans was to drive between venues, which appeared to keep many folks clustered at the DECC for the big shows of the night, leaving other venues busy but not overcrowded. By the end of the night the cold rain returned, but early on it was mild enough for folks to be hanging out on the patio at Sir Benedict's.
Every Homegrown has its recurring jokes; this year, Homegrown Technology Director and performer Tyler Scouton was mis-identified as “Tyler Scotum” on a local TV news spot on Day 1, inspiring a frenzy of good-natured (and vulgar) teasing all over social media. On Day 3, Scouton struck back with mock “Cease and desist” letters.
It was a study in contrasts at Vikre. The night opened with John Agacki, known for his lively sets of Irish songs and sea shanties. He had the audience singing along enthusiastically, wrapping up with “South Australia,” which he described as one of his favorites. “I didn’t put my seafaring cap on,” he remarked at the end, referring to his usual custom of changing his hat to fit the songs he's performing.
Next up was Hollow Profit, a well-dressed solo hip-hop act spinning out lyrics to a soulful backing track. He punctuated an Elvis reference with pelvic thrusts before joking that the ladies in the crowd shouldn't get too excited and showing off his wedding ring. (Indeed, his wife was spotted in the crowd wearing a "Hollow Profit's #1 Fan" t-shirt ).
The final act at Vikre, Hannah Rey, took the stage for a set of tunes both tender and tough, full of heartbreak, longing, and self love. They mixed in some covers including "It's You I Like," by Fred Rogers, "the hardest rocker of them all."
With silver jacket and no shirt, MN Moder started the music at St. Ben’s with a performance that might win the award for most words in a single Homegrown set. The rapid rapper preached about gratitude and being true to yourself. Darren Sipity kept the rap going with smooth, lowfi, R&B backbeats under powerful lyrics about modern native life and issues. The responsive audience grew throughout the set.
In a complete change of pace, old-timey trio Sugar on the Roof took the stage next at Sir Ben's, getting the crowd shimmying to "Sister Kate" and other swinging classics from the first half of the 20th century. Guitarist and vocalist Megan Orwig Reynolds, dressed in a green velvet retro dress and high tops, introduced a song about eating your feelings as a rare original written with fiddle player and vocalist Clancy Ward. "We don't agree on much, but we do agree on snacks." She also pointed out that it was Ward's birthday.
The biggest shows of the night happened at the DECC's Amsoil Arena, with a carefully-curated lineup of bands guaranteed to keep the audience moving. With one end of the arena open for seating and a large enough attendance to fill the floor in front of the stage, this local music showcase had a big concert vibe.
Plenty of Homgrown goers were spotted in the crowd dressing to fit the night's "Preppy" theme.
With only two members, brothers Ryan and Jesse Dermody, aka The Brothers Burn Mountain, might have been at a disadvantage on the oversized stage, but they capably filled the space with their expansive, rhythmic set featuring chest-vibrating drumbeats and atmospheric lighting. After performing songs in a guitar and drums combination, both brothers took to percussion, switching up instruments and getting the crowd clapping along. They ended their set drumming on the stage and out into the audience, to the audience's delight.
Woodblind unleashed the Woodblind Jubiilee Super Big Band to fill up the Amsoil Arena stage, rounding out their core guitar and bass with lead guitar, fiddle, drums and percussion plus special guests Teague Alexy and Jen West (who was celebrating a birthday). They played a new love song and mentioned that they played their first Homegrown ten years before. They ended by inviting Big Wave Dave and the Ripples onstage to join in "Kom-on-Inn," a track they'd all recorded together for a previous Woodblind album.
A Band Called Truman was the perfect choice to keep the party vibe going with an energetic set. The band dressed for the occasion, in shirts, ties and suspenders.
Big Wave Dave and the Ripples capped off the night at Amsoil Arena. Frontman Dave Adams welcomed the crowd and said, “I’ve always dreamed of playing here…as a hockey player. But this is cool, too.” The 8-piece band grooved their way through a set that included originals and a funked-up cover of Wilco’s “I am Trying to Break Your Heart” alongside more expected soul covers. They closed their set with "Booty City," which Adams said was about Duluth.
At Dubh Linn, the Mad Violin Scientist looked the part, wearing a lab coat and crazy-hair wig and a tie outlined by green lights. He used a sequence of guitar effect pedals to simulate the sound of various instruments, creating a background of house music while playing distorted violin over the top. Throbbing beats were accompanied by a light show.
Ian Alexy, who's been known to play in multiple bands in the area including Babie Eyes, did a solo set at Dubh Linn playing guitar and using a looping pedal. He performed originals and covers including Black Sabbath's "Paranoid."
DJ Adub finished the night at Dubh Linn, getting the late-night crowd worked up by spinning mixes, including a Taylor Swift dubstep remix while his rotating logo was projected on the wall behind him.
Coming up:
Tonight is Westside Wednesday, with the action taking place all over West Duluth.
Naturally, the dress-up theme is Western Wednesday, so grab your cowboy hat and giddy up!
Coverage of the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival is supported by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
