Located ninety minutes from Chicago, two hours from Madison and three hours from Iowa City is a lovely little town called DeKalb, IL, home to Northern Illinois University, nestled in-between a sea of cornfields just off I-88. In the first year of its existence, Middlewest Music & Arts Fest will take place on the weekend of September 10th and 11th. The fest has already amassed an eclectic lineup of bands, including Murder By Death, P.O.S, William Elliot Whitmore, The Smoking Popes, Owen, Maps & Atlases, and Cartoon Network’s, ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force’ star, mc chris, and has just announced the addition of critically acclaimed artists Frank Turner and Hawthorne Heights.
Similar to other popular, block party-style, festivals such as South By Southwest and Noise Pop, the festival’s performances take place throughout downtown DeKalb, including such well known local venues The Egyptian Theatre, Ottos Nightclub, The House Café, O’Leary’s Irish Pub, Tapa La Luna and SMLTWN Skate Shop as well as other various businesses downtown.
Middlewest is not a genre-specific festival. Variety is the spice of life, is it not? You may find a singer-songwriter plucking away at his acoustic guitar in a tiny corner bistro, a boisterous heavy metal band playing a rock club down the street while the art gallery next-door hosts an independent film viewing. Middlewest is the convergence of the local music and art communities and a celebration of the vibrant culture of the Northern, IL area!
What is Middlewest?
Middlewest Fest is Northern Illinois' annual celebration of the live music and arts, taking place on the dates of Sept. 10th and 11th in DeKalb, IL. All Middlewest events will be hosted at The Egyptian Theatre, Ottos Nightclub, Ottos Underground, The House Cafe, O'Leary's Irish Pub, SMLTWN Skateshop, Tapa La Luna as well as various art spaces, halls and local business in the lovely and historic downtown DeKalb, just a stones throw away from Northern Illinois University.
In addition to a weekend full of live-music, Middlewest will be hosting, 'Against The Wall', an independent film festival, as well as a local Arts and Crafts Market on the primary day of the festival, Sat. Sept. 11th. 'Against The Wall' event will be held at Debutante's School Of Cosmetology (145 N. 3rd St.) and will feature 15 Midwestern and NIU Student Film Makers screening comedy, drama, experimental and documentary min-features. The Art Market will take place in Palmer Ct, located in the heart of downtown DeKalb, featuring over 20 arts and craft vendors.
Middlewest Fest is produced by Kickstand Productions, a Northern, IL-based concerts and event production company. In addition to acting as the in-house buyer for, DeKalb venues, The House Cafe and Ottos Nightclub, Kickstand Productions produces events monthly at many other fine venues in the Northern, IL area. Previous artists proudly produced by Kickstand include; Dinosaur Jr, GWAR, Umphrey's McGee, Boys Like Girls, MGMT, Of Montreal, Mates Of State, Alkaline Trio, Dan Deacon, Crystal Castles, Rusted Root, OK Go, The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Thrice, Anberlin, We The Kings, As I Lay Dying and Minus The Bear.
How Does Middlewest Work?
Ticketing for Middlewest will be handled in one of three manners. A ticket may purchased for a single show through the venue's box office, as per a standard concert, the attendee may purchase a single day pass or a two-day, 'Megaticket'. Both the day passes and the Megaticket allow entry into all Middlewest events. A Two-Day, 'Megaticket' is $30, with day passes affordably priced at $20 and single-show tickets ranging between $10 and $15.
Confirmed Acts (As of 8/11)
* More acts and full schedule to be announced shortly!
Murder By Death
P.O.S
mc chris
Frank Turner
Smoking Popes
Hawthorne Heights
William Elliot Whitmore
The Main Street Gospel
Maps & Atlases
Owen
Native
Jonny Craig
Ha Ha Tonka
Mondo Drag
Dr. Manhattan
The Color Morale
Lucky Boys Confusion
Miss May I
Gold Motel
The Frantic
Treaty Of Paris
Sleeping With Sirens
The Felix Culpa
Fight Fair
The Divine
Samantha Crain
Mark Rose
Suns
Breathe Electric
Mod Sun
Action Blast
Big Science
Cealed Kasket
Black Bear Combo
Dorian's Decay
Alumni Club
Geronimo!
Just Left
Elephant Gun
Clifton Roy & Folkstringer
Chase This City
Another Hero Dies
Joie De Vivre
Full Line-Up and More Information Available at:
www.middlewestfest.com
