On the weekend of August 9th, I had the pleasure of attending Rogue Music Festival on days one and three. A queer, female-run music festival committed to paying artists fairly (meaning with each ticket purchase, 70% goes to the artists!) With this being their second year, I was thrilled to be invited back to check out some incredible small, local (and not-so-local) bands! Working with people who care for the artists just as much as they do the art is inspiring. From the weekend, I’ve highlighted 8 artists and their musicality, stage presence, and performance.
August 9th (Day 1)
Koleżanka
A dreamy psychedelic set filled with synthesizing keys and compelling harmonies. With experimentive lyricism and collective care in the performance, Koleżanka attracted the crowd and lulled them into a fascination of their melodic expertise. Each guitar solo shined as the harmonies between the keyboardist and lead singer beautifully meld together. Their music is something I envision myself listening to while contemplating life and journaling at a park.
AK & the Hallucinations
Lead singer Amy Klein, one of the organizers of Rogue Music Festival, has her own band curating an expansive rock and roll sound. Her distinctive vocals drew the crowd in as the rest of her band matched her energy. From the start of the set, their stage presence charged at the crowd with raw lyricism and impressive instrumental breaks. With complex guitar solos and thundering drums, AK & the Hallucinations incorporate elements from heavy metal and rock. She introduced her song “Loser,” and as it began quiet and slow, its tempo picked up, as did the heaviness of the guitar and drums.
Mint Green
Starting her set strong, frontwoman Ronnica jumped into the crowd of Baby’s All Right and ran around, ultimately livening up the crowd. With catchy melodies and an exciting lead, Mint Green surpassed my expectations. Her interaction with the crowd not only made the performance more intriguing but created a connection between the audience and the band. While being upbeat and lively, Ronnica’s impressive range of vocals amazed the crowd. Their cover of “Creep” by Radiohead had the audience fully mesmerized. An unforgettable performance by Mint Green, traveling all the way from Boston!
Night Spins
The last band I saw on the festival's first night was Night Spins. With an eccentric lead singer and storytelling that entranced the crowd, their sound was cohesive and fun. Their performance was enticing, a genuinely emotional production with vocals that traveled throughout the venue. From exuberant dancing to the connection between the lead singer and the guitarist, the set was filled with high energy as they closed with the song "Knockin'", leaving the audience wanting more!
August 11th (Day 3)
Sammus
As I walked in late to day three of Rogue Music Festival, Sammus was in the middle of her set, immediately reeling me in. Lead of Sammus, Dr. Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo, breath work delivering lines of poetry was not only exciting to enter in on but moving. Intricate lyrics with a heavy bass and drums to carry on, her ability to captivate the audience seemed effortless. With every verse came emotion into the microphone and moving through the crowd; it was palpable. As the set came to a close, Sammus embraced one another, showcasing the love the band had for each other and performing.
Debbie Dopamine
A fusion of indie pop and grungey guitar riffs curates a sound so unique to Debbie Dopamine. The engagement with one another on stage made their performance much more personal, keeping an upbeat attitude with, at times, gut-wrenching lyricism. There was a clear connection with the band members, even after stating there was a sub-in for the usual bassist. You could tell there was genuine enjoyment for being on stage together. Thundering drums, a deep bass, and exciting guitar solos tied the whole set together beautifully.
Sandile
An alt-rock band that keeps you on your toes, ready to move and dance around. Every aspect of this band blended so well, from the bassist to the lead guitarist to the drummer in the corner. Their collective cohesion brought out a sense of intimacy between them all. Each guitar solo shocked the audience along with the instrumental breaks of them all rocking out. Their ability to connect with the crowd through their music was something special.
Di Ivories
The last band I saw at Rogue Music Festival was the perfect send-off of the night. Di Ivories were as groovy and exciting as they were unique. Lead singer and keyboardist Diego Martinez had the crowd up and moving with his outgoing energy and continuous dancing. The band itself blended together in a beautiful melodic harmony with a heavy bass, an addictive guitar, and strong drums alongside the keyboard. Their performance could be described as a sonically psychedelic journey through music where indie rock experiments with sparkling pop.
Written by Amy Kapel
Day 1 Photographed by Merissa Blitz
Day 3 Photographed by Mariah Yvi