Written by Famous Kaylee for Visit Duluth.
From April 26 to May 3, you’re going to be hearing, “Happy Homegrown!” almost everywhere you go in Duluth. Since 1999, Duluthians have been rocking, rolling, and celebrating the local music community across eight fun-filled nights in late April through early May.
I’m Duluth’s Famous Kaylee, and this is my love letter to the wild, wonderful thing that is the Homegrown Music Festival.
I played my first Homegrown the night before my ACT test in high school, and I was hooked from the jump. I was solo onstage at Sir Ben’s, playing in front of the biggest crowd I’d ever drawn. It was a blast, and I’ve played every festival since 2015 in some capacity.
Shameless Plug
Catch my sets. Berserk Blondes! (comedy dance band) is playing at AMSOIL Arena on Tuesday, April 28, and Midnight Kissfight (college radio-flavored indie rock) is closing out Western Wednesday at the Kom-On-Inn on April 29.
I joined the Homegrown Steering Committee three years ago, and becoming more involved in the festival’s inner workings has been a gift. Spending the week running around town in my red track jacket is so much fun. So, let me be your guide to Homegrown, and I promise you’ll have a great time at the festival.
Get Your Wristband
Weeklong wristbands for the Homegrown festival are your best friend, especially if you’re planning on catching multiple shows. Only $40 gets you access to 172 bands across eight days. You can pick up advanced tickets at Globe News or Zenith Bookstore, or day-of-show at the door at any venue. There are also daily wristbands, but why wouldn’t you want to go out every single night of the week? Which brings me to my next tip…
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Grab yourself a Field Guide (available at all venues) and make yourself a plan for the week. What bands are your must-sees? New-to-you groups that sound interesting? Make sure you pace yourself, drink water, and wear comfortable shoes. Sunday through Thursday nights, the festivities move around various neighborhoods across the Twin Ports. When Friday and Saturday hit, all hell breaks loose, and there will be more bands playing than you can shake a stick at.
Dress It Up
Optional, but very fun: Every night of the week has a different dress-up theme. You can find those listed in the Field Guide, on our website duluthhomegrown.org, and follow @dhgmf on our social media channels. The fan favorite year-over-year is Western Wednesday, when we boot scoot boogie down to West Duluth, spurs-a-janglin’. Some people go all out with costumes, while others show up as they would to any other show. The week’s your oyster. If you need to go shopping for outfit inspiration, thrifty spots like Ragstock put together racks of clothes by theme.
Hot Tip: Each dress-up day has a limited number of exclusive pins handed out by select members of the Steering Committee. If your outfit really rocks, you might be lucky enough to snag one.
I Said It Already, But Wear Comfortable Shoes for the Love of God
Speaking of dressing up, keep it comfortable. This is advice for the weekend when you’ll be traipsing around downtown, and when you’re jumping between venues on Monday in Lincoln Park – your legs will thank you for wearing comfy shoes (that’s a mistake you make ONCE. Looking at you, Monday night at Homegrown 2023). “City on the Hill” hits harder when you’re walking up Lake Avenue after a couple of pints.
What to Bring
I tend to travel light during the festival, opting for a phone, wallet, keys and lipstick most nights. I have a secret weapon: an earplug keychain. Earplugs are a must if you’re checking out some of the heavier acts, but they can’t hurt, no matter the venue size.
Try Something New
Along with the week’s schedule, the Field Guide includes bios for every band playing the festival. Peruse your guide and pick out a few new bands to check out – you just might find your new favorite group.
In a similar vein, some venues are likely to hit capacity during the week. Have a backup plan and go with the flow. Some of the best Homegrown memories are made at shows you didn’t expect to attend.
Extracurriculars
Homegrown has more than just music. The Homegrown Kickball Classic is a longstanding festival tradition. This spectacle is usually held at Chester Bowl, but this year’s game will be held at Wheeler Field. Few things are more entertaining than watching hipsters go head-to-head on the field. The game starts around noon on Saturday, and attendees and musicians are encouraged to play or attend.
New This Year: Our friends at the Twin Ports Artist Collective are putting on a big merchandise fair at the Depot Great Hall. The fair runs from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, fitting in nicely between kickball and the evening’s music. Stop by and mingle with bands and buy their wares.
Be Nice & Have Fun!
For many of the bands playing the festival, Homegrown might be their most packed, energetic show of the year. Make friends with those around you in the crowd and treat others the way you want to be treated. Give your hardworking Homegrown volunteers (teal shirts, you can’t miss ’em) a high five, too. A lot of love goes into this festival, and good vibes will take you far.
Be safe, have a blast, and most importantly: Happy Homegrown!