The Strokes performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
–by Michael O’Connor
Two magnificent stages, nearly forty food and drink vendors, and thirty artists, made this year’s Minnesota Yacht Club Festival a triumph. Daily attendance reached levels never seen before, and despite the heat, more than 35,000 people showed up each day, filling the grounds at the Harriet Island Regional Park in Saint Paul.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Prize Horse opened the main stage on day one with a mellow, welcoming presence, that eased everyone into the music atmosphere of the weekend. Many artists began as local projects and it was a joy to see those roots honored on home turf. Marcy Playground was one of these bands, and the crowd made known how welcomed the trio’s presence was for their return.
Dashboard Confessional performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Next was Dashboard Confessional, who, much like their name, were a testament to the confessional, intimate tone in their lyricism. Experiencing how energetic the lead guitarist was throughout their set made the performance even more memorable.
The Black Keys performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
After, even under the shade of the mainstage, The Black Keys pushed the temperature up with their gritty guitar riffs and steady pounding from Patrick Carney’s bass drum. With hands in the air pulsing to the beat, The Black Keys got people on their feet and riled up for Day One’s headlining set.
The Lumineers performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
When The Lumineers took over, you could feel the festival shifting into a moment of immense anticipation. Their tracks were played with the warmth of a campfire circle, as the acoustic harmonies were woven through everyone on festival grounds. A thunderstorm was thundering in the distance, but they kept playing; rain began, soft at first, and suddenly the entire scene felt cinematic. Indie folk washed in reflective pebbles of water, voices passing across a damp sky. The rain became a part of the moment, adding a shimmer to every chord. One of the most unique experiences I’ve witnessed during a live performance.
The Lumineers performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Day two opened with Porch Light, whose performance was one of my favorites of the entire weekend. Lead vocalist Jackie Uhas carried the stage with her voice that was able to shatter and soothe. One moment she’d be belting a chorus and another barely whispering into the microphone, one of the most talented vocal abilities I’ve seen. Their performance of “Recognize You” was quietly devastating, with multiple people visibly moved by the performance. It was a set that could have headlined, and I can’t wait to see where this band goes in the future.
Yam Haus performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Yam Haus followed with an effortless indie charm. Their set was sunshine in sound, as they bantered with the crowd and traded jokes throughout their performance. You could really tell how grateful all members were to be performing on the mainstage, and this was contagious.
Matt and Kim performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matt and Kim went next, and I have no words to accurately encapsulate their performance. A set of wonderful chaos, inflatable sharks, absurd props, and a feeling of mischief that turned the crowd into collaborators. They sing their tracks, sure, but also stage a party where everyone is invited to participate.
Lord Huron performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
As the sun slid toward the horizon, Lord Huron painted the stage in neon green and blues, turning the evening into a dream-like landscape. Lead singer Ben Schneider is an amazing performer, and he led the cinematic performance with reverb-soaked guitars and storytelling that genuinely makes every song feel straight from a film. The retro props on stage- an old-school dial phone as a microphone, a vintage voice changer microphone- added to that altered, romantic world. All topped with a sunset that made it feel like the band was painting the sky.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty closed the night with the polish of seasoned performers. They balanced nostalgia and new material with care and delivered guitar solos that cut clean. You could tell how genuinely appreciative this band is to be performing again, a group of individuals savoring the act of playing together, and the crowd returned that feeling in full.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The final day was incredibly bittersweet. Heart to Gold opened with hard-edged rock, as heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and the beginning of a day of crowd surfing kicked off. Die Spitz turned that energy to a thrilling chaos. Raspy screams riled the crowd early on into a performance in which ten people crowd surfed from the middle of the crowd to the rail in a single song (at an indie rock festival, mind you). The air hummed with adrenaline, and bass guitarist Kate Halter walked off stage to the rail, leading the crowd during one of their tracks.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Another band from Minnesota, Semisonic, brought a different, more relaxed type of power, playing old-school indie rock with hometown pride. As Minnesota locals, they shared stories about finishing an album with friends, and their new track “Don’t Give Up Yet” landed like a sweet blessing with the crowd.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Delivering one of the festival’s most unforgettable performances, Cage The Elephant was spectacular to see live. Their stage presence was flamboyant and fearless, as pyro spiraled through the sky and Matt Shultz sprinted over the rail; people held him standing above their heads during the chorus of their new track “Beaches In Tennessee”. The performance was theatrical, wild, and most definitely unforgettable.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The festival closed with The Strokes, who wrapped everything with neon brilliance. Their set was stylish, a bittersweet endnote that left your heart a little fuller.
The Strokes performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The festival gave space for individuals to be vulnerable and embrace the music. Everyone I had the opportunity to meet was incredibly kind, and I felt so blessed to be a part of this amazing atmosphere of individuals. Don’t miss out on one of the best festivals in the Midwest. Until next year Minnesota Yacht Club, thank you.
The Black Keys performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Dashboard Confessional performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Strokes performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Dashboard Confessional performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The All-American Rejects performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Lord Huron performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matt and Kim performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Strokes performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The All-American Rejects performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Black Keys performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Lumineers performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Lumineers performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Yam Haus performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Lord Huron performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Strokes performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Black Keys performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The All-American Rejects performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Lumineers performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Lumineers performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Lord Huron performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Black Keys performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The All-American Rejects performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Lord Huron performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Lord Huron performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Yam Haus performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matt and Kim performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Lumineers performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matt and Kim performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matt and Kim performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Dashboard Confessional performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Die Spitz performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Strokes performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Dashboard Confessional performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matchbox Twenty performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Cage The Elephant performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The Black Keys performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Matt and Kim performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Yam Haus performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Dashboard Confessional performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
The All-American Rejects performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
Lord Huron performing at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Photo by Michael O’Connor.
