The MidPoint Music Festival has changed a lot over the past decade and a half, but its dedication to supporting local artists hasn’t wavered. The festival comes to downtown Cincinnati this Saturday and Sunday in its latest incarnation — with two stages at Taft Theatre and two at the neighboring Cincinnati Masonic Center — once again featuring a solid representation of Cincinnati music.
Visit mpmf.com and CityBeat’s official guide at citybeat.com for the latest schedule updates, previews and more. Click the artists’ names below to find out more on each.
• After MPMF, progressive instrumental Post Rock unit Lo, the Loyal Conscripts is taking a break from the stage to write and refocus. 2:10 p.m. Saturday; Taft Ballroom Stage
• Onstage, Indie Pop artist Rachel Mousie plays keys and uses a looping station to layer vocals and beats. Her third album, Talk to Your Babies, is due in early October. 2:30 p.m. Saturday; Masonic Ballroom Stage
• Described as “equal parts ’80s New Wave, ’90s AltRock and contemporary jitter Pop,” Blossom Hall released its debut single, “Easy to Want to Die,” this summer; a new one (“Parasols”) is coming soon. 2:45 p.m. Saturday; Taft Theatre Stage
• Indie Rock group Even Tiles issued the EP The Lower Tangent in 2013 and recently teased the release of a new tune on social media. 3:20 p.m. Saturday; Taft Ballroom Stage
• Indie Pop faves Saturn Batteries just released “The Panda’s Friend,” a tantalizing taste of the group’s anticipated forthcoming full-length debut. 3:55 p.m. Saturday; Taft Theatre Stage
• Singer Chrissy von Savoye and guitarist Drew James moved from New Jersey to Cincinnati to start Kid Stardust, releasing the stellar EP Something Like This But Better last year. 4:30 p.m. Saturday; Taft Ballroom Stage
• CityBeat’s Brian Baker calls Mad Anthony — which recently spent a year releasing a new song every single week (a partial compilation of which was recently issued as Mad Anthology Vol. 1) — the best band in the world. He is never wrong. 6:50 p.m. Saturday; Taft Ballroom Stage
• Explosive and creative Post Punk trio Ampline is releasing its fifth album, Passion Relapse, in January (pre-orders are open now). 8 p.m. Saturday; Taft Ballroom Stage
• Formed just last year, the promising AltPop band Coastal Club issued its self-titled debut EP this past spring. 2:10 p.m. Sunday; Taft Ballroom Stage
• Indie/ElectroPop act Moonbeau’s first single, “Are We in Love Yet?,” came out earlier this year; a full-length on Old Flame Records is expected in 2018. 2:45 p.m. Sunday; Taft Theatre Stage
• Mixing a variety of AltRock styles (Post Hardcore, Emo, Post Punk and more), Current Events have built a strong following with frequent shows throughout the area; the band is currently recording new material. 3:30 p.m. Sunday; Masonic Cathedral Stage
• Earnest Folk troupe Edward + Jane relocated to Cincinnati this year from Chattanooga, Tenn. A documentary about the group is slated to premiere next month. 4 p.m. Sunday; Masonic Ballroom Stage
• Adam Petersen’s solo keys/looping works as A Delicate Motor blossomed into an equally compelling full-band Indie Rock project with the March release of Fellover My Own. 4:30 p.m. Sunday; Masonic Cathedral Stage
• Sublime Indie Folk crew (and frequent MPMF highlight-provider) Young Heirlooms’ much-anticipated album, The Hammer, is set for an Oct. 20 release. 5 p.m. Sunday; Masonic Ballroom Stage
• Daniel in Stereo recently released “Fool Me Once,” the latest in a steady stream of irresistible singles from Daniel Chimusoro’s AltPop project. 5:05 p.m. Sunday; Taft Theatre Stage
• Jeremy Pinnell continues his hot streak on sophomore solo LP Ties of Blood and Affection, which has garnered the Country artist more big-time critical praise. 6 p.m. Sunday; Masonic Ballroom Stage
• Automagik’s regular roadwork and superb Indie Pop/Rock releases through Old Flame Records have helped it build national attention. The group recently released the first song off of its latest full-length effort, Goldmine. 6:15 p.m. Sunday; Taft Theatre Stage
• Harbour’s infectious AltRock sound (exhibited on this summer’s Heatwave) and rabid following make it a top contender for Cincinnati’s next big thing. 7:25 p.m. Sunday; Taft Theatre Stage
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: mbreen@citybeat.com
This article appears in Sep 20-27, 2017.