The Midwest music festival season was in full force the weekend of September 9th and 10th. The second annual All IN music festival and inaugural Miracle In Mundelein brought an eclectic mix of musicians and music lovers to Indianapolis and Mundelein Il. While young, both festivals were well run and well attended leaving festivalgoers anxious for bigger things to come.
Bassist Karina Rykman, fresh off the release of her debut album Joyride got the main stage at the All IN fest cranking with a raucous Friday afternoon set. Cory Wong, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave kept the energy rolling on the main stage leading up to an enthralling set by the legendary Tenacious D. Both Jack Black and Kyle Gass had the crowd mesmerized with their unique combination of music, humor, story telling, and much more. A previous day of travel nightmares and a drummer with a 102.6 degree fever couldn’t slow down Joe Russo’s Almost Dead from closing out night one with a two hour start to finish heater of a set.
It was more of the same on the main stage for day two with Quinn Sullivan followed by The Main Squeeze getting things going. The evening session was as great as it was diverse. Greensky Bluegrass delivered a seismic bluegrass set followed by an equally outstanding performance from Trey Anastasio (who played with Bob Weir, Les Claypool, and Billy Strings at Strings’ wedding the night before). Umphrey’s McGee closed the fest out in grand fashion with a Led Zeppelin tribute set featuring Jason Bonham on drums.
The inaugural Miracle in Mundelein festival, the first to feature open cannabis consumption was equally well received boasting a strong lineup of musicians for a first time fest. A chill reggae set from Stephen Marley kicked things off. The pace picked up from there with crowd pleasing in your face sets from Action Bronson and Cypress Hill to wrap up day one. Karina Rykman and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead made the three hour trek from the All IN fest for day two of the Miracle in Mundelein. Both acts using the extra space, open air, and kind vibes to outdo their high level performances from the day before. Lettuce offered almost two hours of non stop funk with an extra helping of bass between Rykman and JRAD’s sets.
