10 “Must See” Bands at MPMF 2015 (and Their Anagrams)

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MidPoint Music Festival is right around the corner and we’re thrilled to be returning to Cincinnati for the fourth year in a row! The concert-crawl style festival, held in the city’s Over-the-Rhine district, features 120 performances over the span of September 25th – 27th.

This year, Purity Ring, Ride, and Iron & Wine take the marquee billing, but the entire lineup is full of emerging talent from around the world – including Big Scary (Australia) and Salad Boys (New Zealand) – the band’s who have traveled the furthest to be at the festival.

Outside of the names you might know, we’ve highlighted ten bands that we think you shouldn’t miss – and included our favorite anagram of their name. Just in case they ever want to change it down the road…

Limited tickets are still available for purchase

Andrew Combs a.k.a. “Narced Wombs” – 9/27 at 9:45pm – Woodward Theatre
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Nashville, TN – Featured as our “Band of the Month” for June 2015, Combs released his sophomore album, All These Dreams, earlier this year to critical acclaim.

Beach Slang a.k.a. “Bangs Leach” – 9/27 at 5:00pm – Lightborne Lot
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Philadelphia, PA – Set to release their debut full-length, The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us, via Polyvinyl Records on October 30th, Beach Slang is a must for fans of unencumbered rock and roll.

Cathedrals a.k.a. “Decal Trash” – 9/26 at 10:00pm – Lightborne Lot
photograph courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

San Francisco, CA – Charming, yet haunting indie-pop comprises the duo‘s debut EP, released in late 2014. Check out “Harlem” or “Unbound” to get your feet wet.

Great Peacock a.k.a. “A Carpet Gecko” – 9/27 at 6:15pm – Washington Park
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Nashville, TN – We couldn’t have described Great Peacock‘s sound better than the folks at MPMF did already; “Bruce Springsteen and The Avett Brothers giving George Jones’ songs the Nebraska treatment.”

Grandchildren a.k.a. “Lard Drenching” – 9/26 at 10:00pm – The Drinkery
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Philadelphia, PA – Shimmering, orchestral pop music is the name of the game for this group. Check out “Nothing” from their August 2015 release, Zuni. 

Lydia Loveless a.k.a. “Lassoed Lively” – 9/27 at 11:00pm – Woodward Theatre
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Columbus, OH – Loveless and her rocking band won us over at Bragg Jam a few years back with their lively country-rock tunes. Check out her most recent release, Somewhere Else, out now on Bloodshot Records.

Rose Quartz a.k.a. “Razor Quest” – 9/27 at 11:30pm – The Drinkery
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Denver, CO – Rose Quartz plays grooving, synth-based tunes that range from chilled out to anthemic. Check out “Leaving Now”.

Strand of Oaks a.k.a. “Daft Okra Sons” – 9/26 at 11:00pm – Woodward Theatre
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Goshen, IN – The work of Timothy Showalter (and friends), Strand of Oaks‘ recent release, HEAL,is a beautiful chronology of love, loss, and what’s in between.

The Donkeys a.k.a. “Honed Tykes” – 9/25 at 8:15pm – Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

San Diego, CA – The Donkey‘s conjure images of beachside bonfires and long weekends. Check out their full-length,Ride the Black Wave.

Vinyl Williams a.k.a. “Vainly Ill Swim” – 9/25 at 12:15am – The Drinkery
photo courtesy of artist

photo courtesy of artist

Los Angeles, CA – Thoroughly chilled-out tunes can be found throughout Vinyl Williams‘ recent release,Into. Check out “World Soul” for your first experience with the band.