If you somehow missed the cover of the paper, the multiple feature stories and our endless “rah rah”-ing on every social media platform we can figure out, this Thursday the 11th annual MidPoint Music Festival
kicks off three days of incredible music throughout the streets and venues of Over-the-Rhine and Downtown. The event runs through Saturday and tickets can be found at cincyticket.com (or, if any are left, at the fest itself).
There have been a few updates since CityBeat’s official MPMF.12 guide hit the streets a couple of weeks ago (you’ll be able to grab one — and read blurbs on all of the acts performing, among other details — during the festival, as well). You can also read the whole guide online here. Here’s the latest:
• The MPMF.12 kick-off celebration will take place Wednesday, the night before the festival, in The Hanke Building on Main Street in OTR. Entrance is down Michael Bany Way, just across from the 12th and Main streets intersection. The party starts at 6 p.m. with a set of “MPMF mash-ups” by local DJ Ice Cold Tony
. Amazing local rockers 500 Miles to Memphis perform at 9 p.m. The kick-off shindig is free and open to everyone of drinking age (even if you think MPMF is “killing teh scene!”). There will also be free Vitaminwater and Eli’s BBQ; one lucky attendee will also go home with free VIP tickets to see The Afghan Whigs’ New Year’s Eve concert at Bogart’s .
• Every year there are always a few MPMF cancellations and a need to reconfigure some of the shows. This year, the fest lost its Saturday Washington Park headliner, Sleigh Bells, due to an arm fracture suffered by the duo’s guitarist Derek Miller in an alleged skateboarding accident. Sleigh Bells have been replaced by buzz band Freelance Whales Saturday. Art rockers Stagnant Pools have also been removed from their Saturday Washington Park slot, but they’re simply moving to Thursday at the Contemporary Arts Center, kicking off a night headlined by Laetitia Sadier.
• Keep a watchful eye on mpmf.com leading up to (and during) the festival for the latest updates. Topic Design will be unveiling a special mobile site Thursday morning that will include the schedule and more info. Bookmark live.mpmf.com on your mobile device now.
• CityBeat’s music staff will be out in full force throughout MidPoint to provide coverage of the performers (and the usual weirdness that seems to occur every year on the streets). Bookmark the blogs at citybeat.com and check in frequently for updates and reviews from the festival all weekend. You can also follow me on Twitter (@CityBeatMusic) or “friend” me on Facebook (facebook.com/mike.breen.513) for all the MPMF madness you can stand.
A National Homecoming … With Purpose
Cincy-bred/Brooklyn, N.Y.,-based Indie Rock stars The National
made a surprise announcement that the band will be performing at the restored Emery Theatre in Over-the-Rhine on Oct. 4. Ticketing info was not available at press time (keep an eye on emerytheatre.com and americanmary.com for forthcoming details), but the concert is another in support of President Barack Obama and his re-election campaign, specifically in regards to getting potential voters registered (and encourage everyone to actually get out and place their ballots on election day) through the “ Gottavote: Ohio ” campaign.
Earlier this year, The National “opened” for the President at a rally in Iowa. The band’s music was used in the “Isn’t he awesome” bio video at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. And, also four years ago, the band performed in its hometown on Fountain Square for a “vote early” rally with The Breeders.
On this purposeful jaunt, The National performs at Columbus’ Newport Music Hall on Oct. 3 and, the day after the group’s Cincinnati show, the members will (according to the Reuters campaign blog) perform an acoustic set at a private fundraiser headlined by Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. (The report says the small event for about 200 people could net the Obama campaign up to $200,000.)
It’s turning out to be a politically active fall for The National. On Oct. 30, the group heads up a lineup in New York City featuring They Might Be Giants, Fun. and Rufus Wainwright for a pro-marriage equality concert for the Freedom to Love Now! organization.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN : [email protected] or @CityBeatMusic or "Friend" me on Facebook here .
