On his first two full-length releases and a handful of CD singles and live recordings, Dan Snaith had established himself as a rather well-informed and astute purveyor of Psychedelic Pop as he transformed it into his own unique brand of one-man-laptop bravado. But when it came time to begin work on new material to follow up 2008's 'Andorra,' the only certainty was that Snaith didn't want to re-create that same sound.  

It's not been easy to see Tom Tom Club play live. The pioneering, avant-percussive Dance Rock band, formed in 1981 by Talking Heads bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz (her husband), has taken a back seat in recent years to family life. The group is doing just 10 dates on the East and West coasts this tour, including a headlining gig Saturday night at the MidPoint Music Festival.  

There’s no need to shush anyone at the Main Public Library during the 2010 MidPoint Music Festival. The library, right in the heart of the festival’s downtown action, is hoping to keep MPMF fans busy during the daytime hours with free live music and music-related art shows and documentary films.  

In existence for just over a year, Surfer Blood seems to have arrived on the scene fully formed. The West Palm Beach, Fla., quartet's debut full-length, 'Astro Coast,' is an uncommonly cohesive set of songs informed (but never bound) by 25 years of Indie Rock touchstones and founder/frontdude John Paul Pitts' own unique vision. They play MidPoint on Friday.  

Van Dyke Parks is not a household name. His recorded catalog, revered by a cultish number of fans, has sold sparsely yet his influence is inescapably broad. Parks' work as a producer/arranger and the amazing artists he's worked with over the past four decades has cemented his iconic status — perhaps most famously The Beach Boys. Parks is making a rare appearance as an artist at the MidPoint Music Festival, traveling with Clare and the Reasons, who serve as his opening act and backing band.  

The MidPoint Music Festival finishes strong on Saturday. Local rhythm setters Koala Fires, Chaselounge, Pomegranates, Culture Queer, Fairmount Girls and The Sundresses will all show up to blow your mind. The Tom Tom Club will be on hand rock out at Grammer's. And Aficionado returns with their squadron of members to show people what 'working together' really means.  

Prepare to be rocked on Friday. Surfer Blood follows the annual secret show at The Cincinnati Club. Local favorites Lions Rampant, The Tillers and Jake Speed & The Freddies play across the city. Caribou headlines the Grammer's tent. And the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir returns to MidPoint after their tragic accident prevented them from appearing last year.  

Thursday night is packed with great shows. You, You're Awesome and Eat Sugar both play at the new MPMF venue, The Cincinnati Club on Garfield Place. National rising star Best Coast plays the Topic Design Tent at Grammer's, while legendary singer-songwriter Van Dyke Parks plays the Blue Wisp. And international trio Shonen Knife will be cutting ear drums at the CAC.  

Every year, a compilation featuring several of the artists performing at the MidPoint Music Festival is lovingly compiled to give an overview of some of the fest’s participants. MPMF10’s comp has been assembled and you can listen to it right here.  

The MidPoint Indie Summer free concert series continues Friday on Fountain Square with newcomers Low Hanging Wires kicking the show off at 7 p.m. followed by fellow locals The Harlequins and Michigan’s Lightning Love. Local heroes Bad Veins, coming off of a massive cross-country tour, wrap up things with their first hometown show in a few months.