Author: The Chicken

DAY SIX: RAWK NIGHT

By The Chicken

Friday night is nothing but music. Beaner’s Central has an eclectic lineup that starts light and ends heavy. Teatro Zuccone and Legacy Glassworks host similarly disparate lineups.

Travel between venues along Superior Street is made easier by the free DTA Trolley, which will feature performances by Cyr and Mel Annala.

A new venue this year is the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center. The auditorium in the American Indian Community Housing
Organization’s Gimaajii-Mino-Bimaadizimin building has an expansive stage that will be well used by Sing! A Women’s Chorus, #theindianheadband and A Band Called Truman.

Those looking for a more intimate experience can check out another new venue, Blush. The collectively run bar and concert room will have a mix of genres, from hip-hop to indie rock.

The Latelys play the Rex at 10:30 p.m. The trio, led by Jenna Harting’s powerful vocals, was one of the surprise hits at Homegrown last year. It was the band’s first gig in front of a large audience, having only played together for four months.

“We were really thrilled to hear people enjoyed listening to us as much as we enjoyed playing as a group,” says pianist C.J. Hanson.
Fans can expect some new songs; the Latelys hope to release a full-length album in the next year.

Late night rawkers have a tough choice to make. Will it be Mary Bue, Gaelynn Lea or Àlamode? Post-midnight, they’ll be commanding the stages at Rex Bar, Pizza Lucé and R.T. Quinlan’s, respectively

Click here for the most up to date schedule!

DAY FIVE: SOUP TOWN NIGHT

By The Chicken

Superior steals the spotlight on Thursday as the Spirit Room kicks the night off with Morrow’s upbeat pop rock. The tunes continue a half mile away at the Main Club, then work their way just beyond the north end of Tower Avenue.

The DTA trolley will transport music lovers around Soup Town, traversing a loop connecting four music venues.

Izzy’s BBQ Lounge & Grill is a new Homegrown venue this year. The show there will be a wild bill, ranging from experimental robot anthems to driving rock-and-roll.

Manager Mark Wines says Izzy’s has a great stage and is excited for Homegrown to use it.

“We have been working hard to bring music back to Superior,” Wines says.

One of Duluth’s most enthusiastic and well-seasoned musicians, Todd Gremmels, performs at the Cedar Lounge.
“It’s been surprising to see the growth of Homegrown and the way people embrace it,” Gremmels says. “It’s a great thing for the community. It’s just amazing — all the people and all the talent!!!”

Those unwilling to traverse the harbor can count on the Reef for a rockin’ lineup that includes Markus J. Dandy & the Complete Lack Thereof, Portrait of a Drowned Man, The Fiasco, and the Bottle Jockeys.

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DAY FOUR: WESTSIDE WEDNESDAY

By The Chicken

The west side of Duluth is where to be on Wednesday. It’s a powerful lineup in the Clyde Iron Works event center starting with the high-energy rock of the Fontanelles. Duluth’s beloved minimalist rawkers, Low, come next. Expect new songs; the band has a new album coming out later this year.

Alan Sparhawk, who was instrumental in putting the local music scene on the map, is quick to give credit to others when asked about the fest hitting the 20-year mark.

“Homegrown to me has always been a celebration of each effort made over the years by individuals to make a vibrant community — the many people who, by sharing their voice and passion, have paved the way for others to do the same,” Sparhawk says.

Insert ear protection for the next act. The recently reunited Dames can still melt faces off and erupt eardrums. It’s their first Homegrown set since 2002. Frontman Tony Bennett is characteristically deadpan about the band’s stage persona (or lack thereof).

“A lot of bands like to pull off crazy stunts during Homegrown, but we’re just doing what we always did. We’re kinda no-frills. Apologies to those who demand frills,” Bennett says. “We just put on the helmets and jump into the mineshaft.”

After Clyde, late-night Hump Day fun can still be had at veritable neighborhood institutions like Mr. D’s, the Gopher and the Kom-on-Inn.

Click here for the most update to date schedule!

DAY THREE: CANAL PARK NIGHT

By The Chicken

The third evening of the Homegrown journey begins at Bent Paddle Brewing with Four Mile Portage, appropriately enough. Those who missed the inaugural showing of the Homegrown
Music Video Festival can see the encore presentation at Zinema 2.

Much of the rest of Tuesday’s carousing happens in Canal Park. Amazing Grace Bakery & Café and Vikre Distillery host an assortment of acts starting on the early side, from the bluesy rock and roll of Bill Bastian to the “acoustic cat rock” of the Trash Cats.

Per tradition, the big show of the night takes place at the Sports Garden. The diverse programming will progress from the Django-style jazz of Sam Miltich and the Clearwater Hot Club to Woodblind’s sanguine ska stylings. Next come the Duluth Dolls with their playful and provocative blend of dance and theater.

Bluegrass band Black River Revue closes out the night at Grandma’s. Tim Leutgeub says the band is pumped to be playing on the Sports Garden stage, noting that one of the highlights of Homegrown is getting to play on a bill that showcases the diversity of the Duluth music scene.

Prøve Gallery offers a cozy alternative with hard rock, Americana, and hip-hop. Dubh Linn hosts a similarly diverse late night bill that transitions from old-time to avant-garde to hardcore.

Click here for the most update to date schedule!