Friday night, after spending the evening riding car shuttles up and down Main Street for four hours, I returned home and searched around online for some MidPoint Music Festival feedback. I'd just been blown away by the turnout and quality of music I'd seen and wanted to make sure I wasn't being biased because I happen to work for CityBeat.  

All the bands and venues for MidPoint on Friday night Sept. 26 ... plus critics' picks.  

All the bands and venues for MidPoint on Saturday night Sept. 27 ... plus critics' picks.  

All the bands and venues for MidPoint on Thursday night Sept. 25 ... plus critics' picks.  

MidPoint offers 175 bands on 17 stages over three nights -- with so much to see and hear, why waste time standing in line to pay cover charges at each club? Festivalgoers in the know pony up for a three-day or one-day wristband and guarantee themselves smooth sailing.  

Now entering its seventh year, lots of things about this year's MidPoint Music Festival (running Sept. 25-27 in Downtown, Over-the-Rhine and Newport) will feel familiar. But even more will feel different. CityBeat has taken over the fest, which has brought thousands of musicians and music industry heavies to Cincinnati over the years and provided a great three-day party in the urban center for local and regional music lovers.