Cloud Cult

Photo by Graham Tolbert.

We’re excited to welcome Cloud Cult back to Bayfront for the 5th MCCU Twin Ports Bridge Festival! Their last appearance at the event in 2013 was way too short. Although the rain only allowed them to play a few songs, it also triggered a brief acoustic performance for all their dedicated fans that stayed through the downpour. A few months later, the band was doing an entire acoustic set (prior to an electric set) at their shows. Then their Unplug album followed. Now they’re ready to share some new material along with their usual “sprawling kaleidoscopic invocation of the life force with songs that veer from jubilation to simmering prayerful meditation” – from the New York Times. We couldn’t be happier about how these past two years have played out for the band since we last saw them at Bayfront, and can’t wait to see them again. All things considered (from eco-focus and musicianship to inspiration and positive impact), we believe this is the greatest band in the world. Seriously.

Dedric Clark & the Social Animals

Photo by Rachel Lee.

As a teenager in sleepy northern Minnesota, singer/guitarist Dedric Clark began working on a batch of songs with quirky but candid lyrics that captured the ins and outs of late-adolescence: girl trouble, small-town boredom, and what Clark calls “that feeling of being young but aware that you’re getting older and wondering if you should try to be more of an adult.” After rounding up a group of local musicians who shared his affinity for Americana and classic pop (guitarist/banjo player Tony Petersen, bassist Roger Whittet, and drummer Boyd Smith), Clark began fine-tuning his songs and putting them out into the world by way of basement-recorded demos and warmly shot videos of the band performing in an old renovated church. One of those videos caught the attention of Ben Fowler (a Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer known for his work with Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd), who invited Clark down to Nashville to talk about recording an album. Just a few months later, Clark returned to Nashville to team up with Fowler on what would become the magnetic full-length debut from Dedric Clark and the Social Animals.

Koo Koo Kanga Roo

Koo Koo Kanga Roo is a live show unlike anything you have ever experienced. With the carefree simplicity of your kindergarden days, a Koo Koo Kanga Roo party is a family fun dance extravaganza for kids and adults of all ages! The undeniable urge to move your body will lead you to the dance floor as you hear their catchy pop melodies and infectious dance beats. Their live show is jam packed with zany sing-alongs and choreographed group dancing that is guaranteed to have the crowd on their feet and engaged in the fun!

Going To The Sun

Minneapolis-based Going To The Sun combines the earthiness of acoustic folk instrumentation with the playfulness of electronic synth programming, creating a sonic yin and yang that flank the unforgettable melodies and lyrical depth at the heart of their self-titled debut album – nominated as one of The Current’s (89.3 FM) top Minnesota releases of 2014.

Wood Blind

(“Tweener” set of a few songs between other bands)

Wood Blind features the combo of Duluth mainstay and guitarist Jason Wussow and Los Angeles studio/ touring bass player Veikko Lepisto. Wussow’s credits include the bands Flux Skapacitor, No Room to Pogo, Yeltzi, Fuzzy Ellis and ownership of all-ages music venue Beaner’s Central. Lepisto has worked with Mike Ness of Social Distortion, Royal Crown Revue and Bette Midler while on the West Coast. Teamed together they make acoustic ska à la 1960s’ Jamaica and 70s’ England. Their sets include traditional reggae, ska versions of classic rock and R&B hits, and original rocksteady numbers.