Friday morning, I got up and made the 3 1/2 hour drive to Algona, Iowa and checked into my hotel before heading to the nearby Kossuth County Fairgrounds for the first-ever Locofest. I was only there for a few minutes when I ran into my friend who was also staying at the same hotel and our mutual friend from Screaming for Silence, one of the many artists who would be playing that day.
Because this was a first-time festival (and my first trip to Iowa in many years), I didn't really know what to expect. There were three stages for live music, with most of the early sets only lasting about 20 minutes each. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and any rain ended early. I ran into a few more friends, but mainly spent the entire day enjoying the festivities with my friends who were staying at the same hotel.
It was good to hear both MN favorites like Vaudeville and City of the Weak, as well as hear national bands like Scattered Hamlet, Another Lost Year, Elisium, Saul, Shallow Side and Smile Empty Soul live for the first time. When it came time for our friends in Screaming for Silence to hit the main stage, we were there proudly showing our support. Couldn't be happier for them as they fly to the West Coast this week to start work on their next album!
We stayed around for part of headliner Eve 6's set before calling it a night. Even though there could have been more people there, I have to say it worked very well for a debut event.
My friends and I checked out of the hotel yesterday morning with smiles still on our faces from the night before. I decided to go to a benefit event at a friend's house in Cambridge-a benefit concert that was accepting cash and food donations for the local food shelf.
I got there mid-afternoon in time to help out where I could. Although I could count more mosquito bites on me than people who attended, it was another good first-time show, this one for a worthy cause. It was also good to see Midwest bands like Splitdriven, Fixated, Apathy Syndrome and my friend Cory's band Sin7 rockin' out to support the effort.
I woke up this morning tired but happy, only distracted by the news that Emperors & Elephants guitarist Jeff Windisch had passed away after an accident at a show in Savage, MN. My friends and I had just seen their band play the main stage at Locofest on Friday, and of course had his family and friends in our thoughts.
Not sure when the next concert is, but I know that enjoying live music with great friends always invigorates me. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!
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