M Baxley

Radio Waves Music Festival

As WTIP host Carl Solander said, Radio Waves 17 was “one highlight after another!” Thank you to our great community of musicians and live music fans for being a part of it! And a BIG thanks to Visit Cook County, the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association, the Gunflint Trail Association and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund for your grant support of the event.

If you attended any part of the Festival, you are invited to take the Radio Waves Live Music Survey. Your feedback is important to us.

The Radio Waves music festival is a celebration of local music and community on the North Shore of Lake Superior. This annual festival organized by WTIP Community Radio brings together:
• diverse musical acts, spanning many genres;
• a balance of new artists and local favorites;
• an audience of area residents and seasonal visitors;
• community service partners and local food makers;
• a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere;
• a uniquely beautiful location found only on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Download the full 2024 Program Guide here!

Set Times FRIDAY, September 6th Genre
4 – 4:50 Portage Classic Country
5 – 5:50 Fish Heads Bluegrass/Roots
6:00pm – 6:50 Eli Bentley Multi-genre
7pm- 8:20 Rich Mattson and Northstars Rock and Roll
8:30 – 10 pm Saltydog Jam/Psychedelic Rock
Set Times SATURDAY September 7th Genre
10-11:20 North Shore Community Swing Band Big Band Swing
11:30 – 12:20 Barbara Jean Meyers & Mike Lewis Roots/Americana
12:30-1:20 Emma Tweten* Singer-songwriter
1:30 – 2:40 Splints Zydeco/Boogie
2:50 – 3:40 Dan Israel & Steve Brantseg* Rock/Singer-songwriter
3:50 – 5 Clearwater Hot Club Roma Jazz
5:10 – 6:10 Annie Humphrey & Jeremy Ylvisaker* Singer-songwriter/Indigenous
6:20 – 7:30 Keith Secola* Rock/Indigenous/Americana
7:40 – 8:40 Between Howls* (OLG) Rock/Americana
8:50 – 10 The Carpenter Ants Soul/R & B
Set Times SUNDAY, September 8th Genre
10:00-11:30 John Ellison with The Carpenter Ants Gospel Show Gospel/R & B
11:40-12:30 Cryote Rock/Singer-songwriter
12:40 – 1:40 The Brothers Burn Mountain* Blues/Rock/Americana
1:50 – 2:40 Lojo Russo* Americana/Roots
2:50 – 3:40 Kenna Rose Jazz/Rock/Singer-songwriter
3:50 – 4:50 Zulu Link Rock and Roll

An Asterisk * means this act is NEW to Radio Waves.

The Radio Waves Music Festival is an annual, community outreach event and has become a tradition for visitors, area residents, and performing musicians. Several vendors will be on-site with food/beverages. Outside food and beverages are accepted on the grounds as well. Some chairs are provided under the tent, but feel free to bring your own. This is a family-friendly event and all kids and teens 17 and under receive free admission.

More information about the festival:

  • The Radio Waves Music Festival is a favorite for visitors, area residents, and musical performers. The first festival was held in 2008, to celebrate WTIP’s tenth anniversary on the air and since then has become an annual, community tradition.
  • Several vendors will be on-site with food/beverages. Outside food and beverages are accepted on the grounds as well.
  • Please make an effort to use the recycling and trash bins located throughout the grounds.
  • Some chairs are provided under the tent, but feel free to bring your own.
  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome – but please make sure they’re on a leash at all times.
  • Tickets are $20/day for adults or $50 for the full weekend. Kids and teens 17 and under are FREE! Weekend passes and daily tickets are available at the gate.

Radio Waves is made possible in part with funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and is supported by a grant from Visit Cook County, Gunflint Trail Association and the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association.

    

Past Radio Waves Acts:

Radio Waves 2023 Program Guide

2022 Radio Waves program guide

Watch the 2022 Sizzle Reel right here!

2021 Radio Waves program guide

Click here to see video highlights from the 2021 festival.

2020 Radio Waves program guide

2019 Radio Waves program guide

2018 Radio Waves program guide

2017 Radio Waves program guide

2016 Radio Waves program guide

2015 Radio Waves program guide

2014 Radio Waves Program Guide

2013 Radio Waves program guide

2012 Radio Waves Program guide

2011 Acts

  • North Shore Community Swing Band
  • Yvonne Mills
  • Blueberry JAAM
  • Bob Curry Family Band
  • Paul H. Pederson
  • Critter du Jour
  • The Pete K Group
  • Drew Heinonen
  • Al Hedstrom and Don Bauer
  • Bicycle Army
  • Zabobo
  • Midwest Assembly
  • Amanda Hand
  • Portage
  • Unnamed Stream
  • Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling
  • The Trails End Band
  • skyBLUEtrio and the ORANGEgirl
  • Cook County’s Most Wanted

2010 Acts

  • Briand Morrison
  • Cascade Mountain Sirrup Likkers
  • Michael Johnson
  • Pincushion Warblers
  • North Shore Community Swing Band
  • The Schlieps
  • Portage
  • KGB
  • Cook County’s Most Wanted
  • Timmy Haus
  • Splinters
  • Bump and Jim Elverhoy
  • Ol’ Yeller

2009 Acts

  • North Shore Community Swing Band
  • Critter Du Jour
  • Amigos
  • Michael Monroe
  • Bicycle Army
  • Trails End Band
  • Portage
  • Pete Kavanaugh
  • Rod-N-Real
  • Gordon Thorne & Bob Bingham
  • Trailer Trash

2008 Acts

  • North Shore Community Swing Band
  • Pincushion Warblers
  • Rod-n-Real
  • The Schlieps
  • Briand Morrison and Gina Todd
  • Portage
  • The Sivertones
  • The Splinters
  • Trailer Trash