Now entering its second year, MidWest Friends Fest 2025 is doubling down on all the things that made their first year efforts a success. With more bands, more community partners, and more collaborations, this year’s MidWest Friends Fest is happening on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 at the inimitable Southgate House Revival in Newport, Kentucky.
Featuring bands from as far away as Madison, Wisconsin, Brooklyn, New York, Boston, Massachusetts, and Atlanta, Georgia, as well as 16 bands from Cincinnati and NKY, not only is the fest expanding to two days, it’s expanding its reach and connections, bringing together bands from all over the eastern half of the United States. With genres ranging from post-hardcore to math rock, emo, alternative, power pop, and even a little Americana, the fest is bringing together 42 like-minded, forward thinking, and incredibly talented bands and musicians for an energetic, inclusive, and positive weekend of music and community.
In addition to the bands who will make the fest such an exceptional experience, MidWest Friends Fest will be partnering with Dayton, Kentucky independent music label SofaBurn Records and NKY non-profit Start Today Harm Reduction, as well as returning community partners PFLAG Cincinnati, Red Wine & Blue, and Abortion Fund of Ohio. New this year, the fest will also be working closely with SofaBurn, Inc., a non-profit focused on the independent music community – their mission is to help provide healthcare to musicians in need.
The fest is also collaborating on a series of concerts with local booking collective Burrito Boys Booking, and sibling event, Say It Louder Fest, a women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights centric event happening at the end of June at The Southgate House Revival.
For more information on this event and tickets, visit midwestfriendsfest.com or checkout their Instagram
The founder of Happy Hippie Creative, Courtney Bell, was born and raised in Western Kentucky, where she developed an early interest in art and photography. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Arts Administration and moved to the Cincinnati area in 2019. She has worked with various clients and organizations, such as local businesses, nonprofits, and festivals, to showcase their stories and products through her images.
Courtney Bell is not only a photographer, but also an avid art, music and live performance lover. She loves supporting her local communities and attending events that celebrate the diversity and culture of Cincinnati, OH. She loves using her time and skills to document and promote the work of local artists, musicians, and performers. She believes that art and photography can bring people together and inspire positive change in the world.
