A look at the festivals in and around our state
(A click on the festival image will bring you to their website)
Pow Wow in the Pines was a 2 day Music Festival held at Indianhead Mountain, in the UP of Michigan, March 18th and 19th. Performers were SLM, Ifdakar, Useful Jenkins, Ghosts of Swinetown, Dustin Thomas, i like you, T.U.G.G, Goulash, and Jon Wayne and the Pain. Please visit their website for more information.
Cabin Pheeva was held from April 22-25 at Symbiotic Acres in South Haven, MI. One of the first outdoor festivals of the year, Cabin Pheeva boasted a bluegrass heavy line-up with acts like Ben Miller Band, Useful Jenkins, Sean Shiel, Blue Moon Soup, Ashley & Uncle Zesty’s Oldtime Bootknockers & more, all performing multiple sets! The line-up wasn’t short on funkin' talent either, with Down Lo and Deploi hitting the stage for two sets! Ifdakar, Thinner Teed, Soap, Barefoot Fred, Covert, Vinyl Soup and The Coop also added to the get down, just to name a few. Please visit their website for more information.
The Jam for Jam Music Festival was held from May 19-22 at the Concord House in Sullivan, WI. All profits from this festival go directly to roofing projects in Porus, Jamaica. Some of the acts performing are Soap, Shoeless Revolution, Sean Sheil, Charlie Parr, the Grasshoppers, SLM, Dirty Diesel Jack's Epic Bazaar, Fat Maw Rooney and many more. Please visit their website for more information!
The 5th installment of the Bella Music Fest, Bella Tempo, was held from May 27-29 at beautiful Harmony Park in Geneva, MN. With a reputation as one of the finest large scale festivals in the Midwest, Bella once again tops itself with a fabulous mix of popular national acts, as well as fan favorite regional and local groups. Acts included Buckethead, Lotus, Keller Williams and the WMDS, Tea Leaf Green, 7 Walkers, EOTO, Big Gigantic, Ifdakar, Boombox, Beats Antique, Eliot Lipp, Paper Diamond, Pimps of Joytime, Lance Herbstrong, Gift of Gab, Heatbox, The New Reb, Mr. Lif, Keys N Krates, Virtual Boy, More than Lights, Van Ghost, Inspired Flight, The Mark Joseph Project, Kinetix, God Johnson, Roster McCabe, Cymatic, The Feeling, DJ Applejews, Tribute to James Brown, TUGG, The Histronic, Goulash, Blaze 1, the Hue, Boys in the Barrels, Absolute Grüv, Sans Souci Quartet, Useful Jenkins, i like you, Lunar Funk Theory, Debra G, Dahlia, Duenday and more. Please visit their website for more information.
The 2011 Steel Bridge Songfest was held from June 9-12 in Sturgeon Bay, WI. In an effort to maintain the integrity of it's historical landmarks, namely the Michigan St. Bridge, the Steel Bridge Songfest annually brings together hundreds of musicians from all over the country in a veritable orgy of songwriting, stage sharing and networking. Please visit their website for more information and updates regarding 2011.
The Bandit County Fair was held from June 10-12 at Gunner's in Desoto, WI. Located just south of La Crosse, right on the banks of the Mississippi River this festival features some of the best acts from around the Midwest. Performing acts included Smokin' Bandits, Down Lo, T.U.G.G., Clovis Mann, Roster McCabe, Steez and many more. Please visit their website for more information.
IfdaInc Productions and WIJAM were proud to bring you the 1st Annual IfdaKamp Music & Camping Festival, which was held on the weekend of June 16th, 17th & 18th! Located at beautiful Whispering Hills in Kiel. WI, IfdaKamp boasted the best and brightest in our regional music scene! With ample wooded camping, rolling hills, hiking trails, apple orchards, and a concert bowl with a natural amphitheater, Whispering Hills is a testament to the beauty that our wonderful state has to offer. Acts included Ifdakar, Steez, Roster McCabe, Strange Arrangement, The Histronic, Cosmic Railroad, The Mark Joseph Project, Sovereign Sect, The Mustache, Useful Jenkins, SLM, Sean Shiel, Clovis Mann and many more. Check out our IfdaKamp page for more information!
Jakefest IV was held on June 18 and 19 at First Chance, Last Chance Saloon in Redgranite, WI. In loving memory of Jake Deringer, who sadly drowned in the Redranite Quarry 4 years ago, Jakefest has raised thousands and thousands of dollars for the communities in and around Redgranite. Acts who performed included Snook, the Smokin' Crawdads featuring Vince Deringer, the Mark Joseph Project, Ifdakar and Ghetto Blaster both featuring Frank Deringer and more. Visit their website for more information, also, be sure to check out our feature segment on this great cause and this wonderful festival. You can find the article in our archives section. Unfortunately, this was the last Jakefest, at least the last one operated in this fashion. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Deringer's for all their hard work and for doing things the right way, for the right reasons. Big love, Momma D!
Brought to you by Milwaukee band SLM, the Support Live Music Festival was held from June 23-25 in Shawano, WI. The festival featured some of the hottest bands from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois including SLM, Ifdakar, Cymatic, Recalcitrant, Cosmic Railroad, the Grasshoppers, Rhombus, Useful Jenkins and many more. Please visit their website for more information.
Milwaukee's Summerfest was held from June 29-July 3 & 5 (Closed on July 4), open from 12 Noon to 12 Midnight daily. The world's largest music festival again boasted an eclectic array of talent, from the biggest nationally touring acts to the smallest coffee house heroes. Please visit their website for more information.
Crivestivus was held from July 1-4 in Crivitz, WI. Crivestivus provides an array of music, camping and fun wrapped into an intimate 3 day experience. Located in the private woods of Crivitz this laid back atmosphere is your opportunity to meet new bands, fans, friends and families. Bands that appeared were Ifdakar, Clovis Mann, Electric Spanking, The People Brothers Band, The Phry and more. Please visit their website for more information.
The String Cheese Incident's Electric Forest Festival was held from June 30-July 3 in Rothbury, MI. The heir apparent to the Rothbury Festival of 2009, Electric Forest boasted heavy electronica including Pretty Lights, Bassnectar, the New Deal, EOTO, Eliot Lipp, Big Gigantic and more, bluegrass acts such as Railroad Earth, the Ragbirds, Greensky Bluegrass, Emmit-Nershi Band and more, blasts from the past like REO Speedwagon (no joke), Wisconsin favorites Steez, and of course, the String Cheese Incident. Please visit their website for more information.
The Land of Electric was held on July 8 & 9 in Valley, MI. This first year festival featured acts such as Ifdakar, Strange Arrangement, Funktion, MC Sparkplug, Waldon Pond, Modeo, Hench, SpaceLift. Miles Mauser Holt, Ghetto Blaster, Digeometric, The Schiavos, Glowfriends, Pearl Snap, Western Brown, Justin Torres Loop Project, Pleasand Drive, Burton's Gardent, Recalcitrant, MC Sparkplug, Venice Gas House Trolley, Electric Jug Band, Taki Allstars, and many more. Please visit their website for more information.
The intimate Cornstock Festival was held on July 8 & 9 at Angler's in Fremont, WI. A northeast Wisconsin tradition, Cornstock once again featured the music of Insomniac Gypsy, Sloppy Joe, Apple Creek, Burnt Toast & Jam and the Weavils. Website not available.
Project Earth was held on July 15 & 16 at Harmony Park in Geneva, MN. The intention of this festival is to co-create a community celebration with the event patrons. Festival goers are invited to take control of their concert experience and transform it into a renaissance of creative participation. Primarily Project Earth is an opportunity to camp together and fund raise for charitable causes. 100% of the profits for this festival go to help other communities around the globe. WIJAM hosted our own stage, along with Ifdakar, to represent the Wisconsin scene at this year's P.E.! Organized by the Minneapolis band, Wookiefoot, Project Earth is always another chance for friends far and wide to say, 'Welcome Home!' Please visit their website for more information
Camp Euforia was held on July 15 & 16 at the beautiful Hotz farmstead, in Lone Tree, IA. The 2011 lineup included Euforquestra, Cornmeal, The Workshy, Hot Buttered Rum, Roster McCabe and more. Camp Euforia was created by Eufórquestra in 2004. The inaugural year was billed as a one day, free, event that featured five local bands and has since grown to a two-day festival. Please visit their website for more information.
Jammin' On the Wolf will be held from July 28-30 in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, in Langlade. The proximity to the Wolf River allowed attendees the option to do some river rafting during the hot Wisconsin summer days. Some of the bands that performed in 2010 were Elf Lettuce, The New Fuse, Run Side Down, 5th World, Wook, Tula and many more. Artist announcements are said to be made in mid-March. Please visit their website for more information.
Plunder Fest, a pirate themed festival, will be held from July 28-31 at beautiful Harmony Park in Geneva, MN. After a successful first year in 2010, the Plunder Fest has changed weekends, putting them on the last weekend of July. Announcement concerning 2011 are expected in late March. Please visit their website for more information.
The Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering will be held from July 29-31 at River's Edge Campground in Stevens Point, WI. This festival, hosted by the psych-jam band Cosmic Railroad, will be moving from it's previous home in Janesville, WI. Artist announcements are expected very soon. Please visit their website for more information.
The 2nd Annual Sugar River Shakedown will be held from July 29-31 in Brodhead, WI. The festivities include 2 nights of music, camping and activities the whole family can enjoy! This year they're proud to announce 13 performers on 2 stages and special performances by Final Act Fire during the headlining and late night sets. There will also be some live painting done by their good friend and art visionary Matt Wazmoia, a.k.a. Shoes, so be sure to take a peek at this inspirational artist. Confirmed artists include The Sandrose Band, Clovis Mann, American Folk, Lava Jama and many more. Please visit their website for more information.
The Why Not Wausau? Festival will be held on the weekend of July 30 in Downtown Wausau, WI. With fabulous bands, other artist installations, and ridiculously low prices, the fest is back for it's second year. 2010 performers included Steez, Blueheels, .357 String Band, and more. Be sure to check out our Festival Spotlight on the Why Not Wausau? Festival in our archives section and please visit their website for even more information regarding 2011.
The Grateful Garcia Gathering will be held from August 4-7 at NCN Campground in Black River Falls, WI. This festival is a celebration of the life and work of Grateful Dead founder Jerry Garcia. All the bands performing played a couple Grateful Dead or JGB songs, making the entire weekend a spectacle of interpretation and honor. Returning to the 3G's this summer will Melvin Seals of JGB, headlining Friday and Saturday nights. Other acts include Ifdakar, who once again headlined Thursday night, Sandrose, , the Grasshoppers, Wook and many more. Please visit their website for more information.
The Nasewaupee Music Festival was held in majestic Door County, WI. This 3 day music and camping festival was hosted by the Madison group, Little Marsh Overflow, and their production company, Pressure Wall Productions. They postponed festivities in 2010, and 2011, taking the time to retool and come back bigger and better. Some of 2009's acts included Clovis Mann, Jose & the Sumlimes, LMO, the Grasshoppers, Elf Lettuce, the Bar Tab Band, pat mAcdonald & melaniejane and many more. Please visit their website for more information.
The 4th Annual Frendly Fest was held on August 13 & 14 at the Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove, WI. As always, a portion of the proceeds went to local and national charities selected by the governing body of the Frendly Fest. 2010 acts included The Big Wu, Rhombus, Delta 9 and many, many more. Please visit their website for more information.
The Prairie Grass Music Festival returns for its second year to Outback Ranch in Houston, MN. Being held from August 18-21, PGF is an off-shoot of the popular Minnesota festival, Log Jam. 2011 artists include Melvin Seals and JGB, Steve Kimock, EOTO, Ana Sia, Ifdakar, Useful Jenkins, Shoeless Revolution and many more. Make sure to check out our 2010 Festival Spotlight on Prairie Grass and please visit their website for more information.
People Fest will be held from August 11-14 in Hillsboro, WI. Organized by the People Brothers Band out of Madison, WI, this festival annually reaches capacity before the sun sets on the first day. Performers include the People Brothers Band, Natty Nation, The Sandrose Band, Star Persons, Hypnopotamus and more. Please visit their website for more information.
The Field Trip Festival will be held on August 26 & 27 at Vasa Park in South Elgin, IL. Started as an anniversary celebration of the legendary Field Trip Concert hosted by the Grateful Dead in Oregon nearly 40 years ago, this music and camping festival gathers some of the Midwest's brightest groups, influenced heavily by the Dead. Scheduled to perform are Wisconsin's own Cosmic Railroad, Mr. Blotto, Terrapin Flyer, Bonzo Terks, Thinner Teed, Barefoot Fred, and more. Please visit their website for more information.
The Late Summer Diet Festival was held from September 3-5, 2011 in Oshkosh, WI. This was the first year for this event but one of many events organized by the upstart Expansion Theory Productions of the Fox Valley. The weekend featured some of the best and brightest the regional scene has to offer, including Wook, The Coop, Snook, Ifdakar, Elf Lettuce, SLM, Ghetto Blaster, Sean Shiel and many more. Please visit their website for more information.
If you know of, or are a part of a festival with Wisconsin ties, not on our list, please let us know at wijamonline@gmail.com. We will be leaving this page intact and updated throughout the year so that as soon as announcements are made concerning 2011, our visitors will be among the first to know..
