BY ADAM QUANDT | The Statesman
While the 2016 Homegrown Music Festival officially began on Sunday, the weeklong festival of “rawk and roll” really hit the ground running last night during day two.
Last night marked the “Ancillary Arts Night” of the festival and began with the opening reception for the Homegrown Photo Show at Duluth’s Red Herring Lounge.
Aside from a few acts at the Red Herring Lounge and Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, most of the excitement took place inside the Fitger’s complex in both the Barrel Room and the Rex bar.
Both venues inside the Fitger’s complex were packed with people from wall to wall.
The stage at the Barrel Room featured bands from a music scene that many don’t know is alive and well in Duluth—punk rock. Bands like Hard Feelings, Ball Slashers and Dad’s Acid kept the crowd energized well into the night.
While the punk scene was rocking the Barrel Room, the Rex bar down in the basement featured some staples of the Twin Ports music scene with The Boomchucks and The Devil’s Flying Machine.
The night was filled with good people, good music, good times and marked a great start to 2016’s Homegrown.
The festival continues tonight with “Canal Park Night” and features bands at various venues in Canal Park such as Grandma’s Sports Garden and the Vikre Distillery.
Some notable acts to check out during Canal Park Night include Mary Bue (Grandma’s Sports Garden, 9:45 p.m.), The Legendary Hell Puppies (Dubh Linn Irish Pub, 10 p.m.) and Space Carpet (Grandma’s Sports Garden, 10:45 p.m.).
Check out the Homegrown website for day three’s full schedule.