With summer fast approaching so does the number of awesome festivals happening not just nationally but regionally. Here at MNunderground, we've got our annual trip to The Summer Set Music Festival already lined up. However this year we are branching out & packing our freshest gear and heading down to St. Charles, Iowa (outside of Des Moines) for the second annual, Hinterland Music Festival. Hinterland takes place on August 5th & 6th for 2 full days of great music. This festival screamed our name not just because of the amazing line up but because it’s a festival for people who love music and the outdoors. Don't get us wrong, the line-up definitely caught our attention when we first caught wind of this festival. With acts from all over the country, you get the perfect blend of artists to please even your pickiest friends. With acts like: Hayes Carll, The Turnpike Troubadours, Houndmouth, Cold War Kids, Grace Potter, Ray LaMontagne & the great Willie Nelson. 

Courtesy of Four Eyes Foto

Definition of Hinterland: The land behind a river. The rural area near a city. A backwater. This could not be more telling of what to expect at this event.  This festival is a tents only campground, NO RVs or campers. No "glamping" here. Unless, you decide to take some of the neighboring hotels up on their reduced rates offered for Hinterland weekend and take the free shuttle to the festivities.  Unlike some festivals Hinterland makes is approved for all ages.. There is a family friendly environment, this will be an event you can take the whole family to (Children 12 & under have free admission with adult admission). The kiddos even have their own “Kinderland." The kid friendly corner of the festival made just for them. There is even a Family/Quiet Camping area available with quiet period from 10pm - 8am so you can get a good night’s rest before seeing your favorite acts. The General Store is also available for any staples you might have forgotten. Not to mention the countless vendors for crafts, food and more that will be available over the two days. 

Courtesy of Jeremy Kim Photography So why not, wind down your summer with your buddies and road trip to Iowa to experience this unique and one of a kind festival.

Courtesy of Jeremy Kim Photography For more information please visit www.hinterlandiowa.com

Looking for something different to do on Friday night?  So was I, but not any more.  An evening of music, comedy, fashion and libations, why yes thank you.

Now in it’s first year, I AM ST.PAUL! is an extension of it’s twin, I AM MPLS!, which is in it’s fifth year. Presented to you by Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op, I AM ST.PAUL! is one immersive night of local art, music, dance, fashion, comedy, celebration and connection; celebrating and connecting who we are, what we do, and what makes us St. Paul!

Happening this Friday, December 12th at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall.  With live local music, a taiko drum line, a surprising dance performance, a who’s-line-is-it-anyways style comedy show, and a fashion show featuring guest appearances from our “non-model-models” wearing the latest trends from your favorite St. Paul boutiques; then dance the rest of the night away with DJ Shannon Blowtorch and her epic beats.

Check out some Minnesota companies joining in on the fun that we already know we love...  Tradition Creek, Stephanie's, Far North Spirits, Heimie’s Haberdashery and many others.

Uber is offering new guests free rides to and from the event using our special promo code sent to you the day before the event.

After an incredibly good time last year, the Summer Set Music and Camping Festival returns again this year with an equally awesome line-up...  Mark your calendars for August 9th - 11th.  We'll be there!

4 on the Floor has been on my "Super Short List" of bands to see for I can't even tell you how long.  It seemed like every time they played in or around the Twin Cities, something inevitably got in the way.  Well, my waiting finally came to an end last Saturday night at First Ave.

Among the top thrash albums of all time firmly sits Anthrax’s Among the Living; the album that is the band's focus on this spring’s Metal Alliance tour. Performing the album for the first time in its entirety, the guys in Anthrax don’t show their age at all.  When I first picked up Among the Living in 1989, critics raved about the energy the Rolling Stones had on their Steel Wheels tour (Jaggar was 45 in 1989). Now, 20-some years later, Scott Ian has surpassed the age of the Jaggar of  ’89, and the Thrash Masters’energy hasn't waned.  This is the new standard of Rock and Roll stamina!


Bassist Frank Bello is the under-appreciated hype man of Anthrax – he’s constantly running from one side of the stage to the other, stopping only to encourage the crowd to have as much fun as he’s having.  The show was phenomenal – unfortunately the crowd started out somewhat subdued. A fact not lost on Joey Belladonna early in the set when he was trying to get them to chat ‘I….Am….The…Law`.  Referring to the crowd as ‘too stoned’ to keep up, it took him three tries to get the audience on the same page.


The performance of the album was broken up into side 1 and side 2 – kudos to Anthrax for making their own rules; however, I’m conflicted with this approach. Side 1 ends with Skeletons in the Closet, while side 2 begins with Indians – this has the potential for a non-stop assault. Instead, Anthrax approached this as an opportunity to promote its latest EP (Anthems) as well as its last LP (Worship Music) by breaking up these two sides.  As I said, I’m conflicted.  I've seen other performers do entire albums (Primus, Roger Waters, Dream Theater) and I love that Anthrax did it on their own terms by breaking up the album and inserting new material, especially since Anthems was released a mere 2 weeks ago.  But the crowd seemed confused and lost when Indians wasn't played immediately following Skeletons.


The ‘intermission’ contained Worship Music’s  In the End, a tribute to Pantera’s Dimebag Darrel and the late metal icon Ronnie James Dio with banners of each of these performers hung over the amps – a very tasteful tribute to the bands friends and heroes.  Bands should promote new albums, so performing ‘TNT’ (an AC/DC cover) off of Anthems was a smart business move.  The fact that Indians is the first track on the second side really did bring the band and crowd back together.  As expected, the WarDance did not disappoint – Scott Ian addressed the crowd after the song stating that typically, if the crowd isn't into it, the band has no problem stopping the song until everyone is "having as much fun as we are and we didn't stop you" – good job Minneapolis.


The encore kept the fun going with I’m The Man and Antisocial, with admitted Vikings super fan, Joey, performing in a Favre Vikings jersey. Metal and its followers are not gone and Anthrax is more than happy to be there to remind us!

After hitting the St. Paddy's Day festivities in St. Paul for a bit, just to soak in all the drunken Irish we needed, our crew ventured across town to one of the best White Iron Band shows we've seen in quite a while.  On any other Saturday night, Famous Dave's is packed to the gills when WIB is on stage.  This time around however, the crowd seems to have been distracted by all the green beer and cabbage fare available all over town.  A welcomed surprise, if you ask me.

St. Paddy's Day was actually on Sunday, not that it prevented Minneapolis and St. Paul from partying from Friday to Monday, but Saturday was officially Saint Urho's Day.  Yeah, I had never heard of it either, but it sounded like a good enough reason to join the party...  White Iron Band front man Matt Pudus and others mentioned it on a number of occasions.

The evening kicked off with sets from both Absolute Gruv featuring Mark Andrew and Pistol Whippin Party Penguins.  Matt "Dubs" Wacatne wrapped up his set with PWPP and then sat in with his former band mates White Iron Band on the bass.

WIB dusted off a few of their old fan favorites to entertain the crowd that had converged on the stage.  Eddie Juntunen got to showcase his skills on the keys absolutely killing "Sesame Street Blues".

Looking to close out your summer in musical style?  Well, we are about 10 days away from one of the most eclectic music festivals ever.  The Summerset Music Festival is descending upon Summerset Amphitheater August 24, 25 & 26th.  With everything from Jam Bands to DJs spinning dance music, there is sure to be something for everyone.   Having incredibly impressive acts closing out the 3 night event makes me very excited.  I am a HUGE fan of Big Gigantic and Umphrey's McGee, and Pretty Lights will be sure to draw an enormous crowd.

Summerset Music Festival Headliners

Looking for tickets or camping passes?  HERE is where you need to be.  Clubtix has it all...  Expect more coverage as we get a little closer to the show, knowing me I'll have plenty more to say before it's here.

Here is a quick promotional video they put together...  Kinda sums up the whole deal if you ask me...

It may be my inner hippy, or simply my love for being outside, but I love to throw around a Frisbee.  My accuracy may leave a little to be desired and finding space in my pack to bring one along on a back-country trip is often easier said than done.  I met a couple really cool guys at the Outdoor Retailer trade show that had a product that changed all that.  The Pocket Disc is a crocheted cotton disc that flies incredibly well and if your throw finds an unintended target, no worries, nothing is going to break.  Even better, it folds, rolls or stuffs into nearly any space.  Headed to a music festival?  Just stuff this in your pocket...


Available in dozens of colors and patterns, there is a design that is perfectly your style.  Made by Mayan artisans, these are not cranked out on some huge machine in a warehouse in china.  Every single Pocket Disc is hand made and a fair trade product helping enrich the lives of the artists that create them.

They are fun on so many levels... My daughter can't decide if she likes it better as a toy or a beret...

The crew at Pocket Disc are not done here either.  Check out their latest innovation, the LunaDisc.  They have incorporated pliable LED lights for nighttime fun.  Just because the sun called it quits for the day, doesn't mean you have to.  Check out their Kickstarter project for full details and how to get your hands on one.


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With one of the better line-ups to come to the BBP in a few years, we were quite excited to make our way over to Minneapolis and the grounds of the Basilica.  With Train, The Head and The Heart and Cake all playing Friday night only Mother Nature could put a damper on the festivities.  The skies opened up with about 30 minutes to go in the Train set, sending people running for their cars in a torrential downpour.




As one of the better Basilica Block Parties in recent memory, I was impressed.  From the way it was organized to the local food and beverages available.  Barrio had their truck there dishing out super yummy tacos and guacamole, just wish I could have gotten one of their famous tequilas to wash it down...

RFID enabled wristbands

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Recently announced is the River's Edge Music Festival, to be held on June 23rd and 24th at Harriet Island in Downtown St. Paul Minnesota.  Just steps from my front door, by the way. If you are thinking about going, you have until Friday to take advantage of the 2-day wristband offer for just $99.


The line-up looks solid, and they keep adding artists to the list.  They just added Sublime today as a matter of fact.  Plus they have a few local bands rounding out the list, including one of my personal favorites Polica.

So if you are looking for a summer music festival, but driving half way across the country isn't an option.  Well, now there is one I can literally walk to.  How cool is that.