The long wait is over. Fans eager to see what artists are playing at MidPoint Music Festival will now find a full schedule online at MPMF.com. Approximately 150 acts from seven countries, 57 cities, and across the tri-state region will perform in Cincinnati USA, September 25–27, 2014.
For weeks now, festival organizers have been leaking some bands and details via social media, but venue and showcase times have been kept under wraps until today. All-access passes are on sale at mpmf.com for what is arguably the best music festival value in the nation.
“We’ve always offered a wide array of music styles, but this year’s lineup has really developed into something special and diverse,” said Dan McCabe, creative director. “I think fans would be hard pressed to find another festival that can give you a bigger bang for your buck.”
Experience live music for three days
The 13th annual festival will present three exciting days of live music on 14 stages in the Over-the-Rhine and Downtown neighborhoods. While the event maintains its status as a primary showcase for emerging independent talent, there’s no denying that this year’s edition has raised the bar in booking established artists.
Cincinnati-music fans should take note that MidPoint welcomes one the most acclaimed local bands to break out in the 90s, The Afghan Whigs, who have stormed back better than ever with their first studio album in the past 16 years. MidPoint will be the only regional appearance for the band during their current world tour.
MidPoint will also be the tour kickoff for Chromeo, the “funk lordz” from Toronto, who are contending for the song of the summer with their single Jealous (I ain’t with it). Washington Park should expect a dance party with the band’s huge lightshow. Consequence of Sound called them a “must-see live show for any festival.”
Additionally, the festival will host some well-established names from the indie-music world over the past decade, including OK Go, Panda Bear, Sun Kil Moon, The Raveonettes, and Joseph Arthur. Bands like Real Estate, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, and Jessica Lea Mayfield are newer, but no less widely known.
Longtime MidPoint fans might also notice a wider array of music styles. The lineup still features a healthy amount of pop and indie rock, but organizers have listened to fans’ suggestions, adding more:
Country—Nikki Lane, Margo & the Price Tags, Bulletville;
Folk—Lost in the Trees, Mutual Benefit, Woody Pines, The Ridges;
R&B—St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Magnolia Sons;
Blues—Barrence Whitfield & the Savages, No Sinner, Left Lane Cruiser;
Heavy Metal—Deafheaven, Liturgy; as well as more dance-oriented sounds like
Hip-hop/EDM—Tycho, Dessa, WHY?, Body Language, and Parallels.
Experience new venues for young and old
Festival venues continue to evolve with great new, larger stages at Memorial Hall and Christian Moerlein Brewery.
Younger fans will able see more showcases than ever with all-ages stages at the Contemporary Arts Center, Taft Ballroom, Memorial Hall, the MidPoint Midway, Christian Moerlein Brewery Outdoor Stage and Washington Park. In fact, children under 10 years of age can attend our Washington Park showcases for free with a paying adult. With afternoon music programmed for Washington Park on Saturday that could be just what the doctor ordered for parents who seldom get out to concerts.
Experience a unique festival atmosphere
Since 2001, MidPoint’s goal has been to help you discover your new favorite band. Our embrace of today’s emerging artists is born of the same spirit employed by Cincinnati’s celebrated musical pioneers, who always reached for something new. This festival isn’t as much about the flavor-of-the-month, but rather a tastemaker’s event where the bands performing will be what people are talking about next year.
For three days, fans can walk easily between venues dotted throughout beautiful, resurgent Over-the-Rhine. This collection of young creative talent amongst an architecturally rich urban setting makes MidPoint a one-of-a-kind experience. Unlike some festivals on a farm or a huge fielded area that could be anywhere, MidPoint carries the heart of our city with intimate performances in smaller clubs and theaters. We think Cincinnati is one of the best music cities in the world. With MidPoint showcasing bands and our city’s center, we are putting our best foot forward towards showing this is a great place to live, work and play.
Everything is on an upswing in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown Cincinnati and we expect the fans to not just enjoy the music, but the wonderfully reimagined Washington Park, our handsome German-heritage buildings, and all of the newer hip restaurants, cafés, and hi-tech companies that are making this one of the hottest regions of the Midwest.
Experience food and fun on the Midway
We realize that not everyone can afford to attend a music festival, so we’ve tried to make a small part of it accessible to everyone with our outdoor MidPoint Midway. All of the music programmed here is free, thanks in part to the help of festival sponsor P&G.
The Midway takes up about two blocks on 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine. Fans at the Midway can find festival essentials such as food and beer trucks, various vendors and the return of the artistic installations coordinated with the help of ArtWorks. (More on that in the coming weeks.)
MidPoint’s box office is also at the Midway, where fans will purchase All-Access, VIP, or single-day passes.
Bicycles encouraged
It is fairly easy to hop from show to show, but with 10 venues in Over-the-Rhine and four located downtown, not every showcase will be a quick walk. But it is a quick bike ride. Festival organizers will continue to partner with the City of Cincinnati to place a number of bike racks in strategic locations. We encourage everyone to save their feet for the dance floor and bring their bike to get to those must-see bands faster.
A full performance schedule is now online at MPMF.com/festival. All artists are subject to change without notice. Schedule updates and further festival news will be available at MPMF.com, on Facebook and Twitter.
2014 MIDPOINT MUSIC FESTIVAL VENUES
Arnolds Bar & Grill, 210 East Eighth Street
Christian Moerlein Brewery, 1621 Moore Street (2 stages)
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 East Sixth Street (all ages)
Bioré Stage at Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson Street (2 stages)
Mainstay Rock Bar, 301 West Fifth Street
Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm Street (all ages)
Midpoint Midway Presented by P&G, 12th Street, between Vine & Walnut (all ages)
MOTR Pub, 1345 Main Street
Mr. Pitiful’s, 1323 Main Street
Taft Ballroom, 317 East Fifth Street (all ages)
The Drinkery, 1150 Main Street
Washington Park Presented by Dewey’s Pizza, 1230 Elm Street (all ages)
TICKETS ON SALE AT MPMF.COM
All-Access Pass $69 ($79 after September 1)
VIP Pass $179
Single-Day Pass $40 (Limited quantities)
All venues will offer the option of À la carte pricing at the door, which covers that night at that venue.
Entry into any MidPoint venue is subject to legal capacity limits. All-Access Pass holders get admission to all MidPoint showcases, all three days. VIP pass holders get an enhanced experience with the ability to skip lines with priority admission, plus they receive access to catered VIP reception events each evening, with complimentary food and beverages. An exclusive VIP viewing area is included at the Washington Park stage.
