Summer Set Music & Camping Festival wants to thank all of YOU for your support through our first year of the festival.  All of our time, effort, and money put into the festival would have been for naught if the sheer number of people did not show up to create the passionate atmosphere that we wanted to set the stage for.  The end of summer should be a time for creating memories, and Summer Set Music & Camping Festival surely providing thousands of you with the prime stage for memories that will stay with you (and us) for a loooooooong time.  We have had so much positive feedback on so many different levels, yet understand and respect that Summer Set 2013 will have a large number of improvements to help make the experience the best possible.  Our team is already working on 2013, so make sure you have dates open next August to make the trek back for what will surely be another fabulous journey.  Rage on!

The first day of Summer Set Music and Camping Festival is in the books, the gates have just opened for day two, and we are ready to go!  If yesterday was any indication, today is gonna be completely outta control.  I honestly can not say that much about individual artists, as I spent pretty much the entire day running around on a go-kart taking care of shit.  I can, however, attest to the fact that there were many smiles all around, raging across the board, and a aura of intense excitement as the day moved into the evening.  All of the musical acts got down on their respective stages, definitely soaking in the heat and sun and turning it out for the crowds that threw down.  Some cool things throughout the day…

-The “shade” tree, up from the second stage, where people congregated under the hot sun to steal a moment of relief.

-The Urban Arts Area, with everything from beat-juggling hip hop djs to live graf walls.

-The hockey arena literally turning into a raging inferno.

-The sea of campsites from south across north, with the smell of grilled food and beer all around.

-Big G, the only mainstage act I got to see for any real length of time, bringing their ever-changing collage of jazz, funk, rock, and EDM to close the main stage in proper fashion.

-Mimosa… I walked into the hockey arena to take care of something, stepped up in the stage for a minute, and the place was absolutely bonkers (along with Mimosa SOOOO into his set).

-The US Airbag > a bunch of the production staff hitting that thing, wow!  They all said it was sick, and said EVERYONE needs to do that thing at least once.  At least once because the first jump is getting past the fear, and then the real fun starts.

-People everywhere chillin’, chatting with friends, making new friends, just the general positive atmosphere this crowd brings.

Thanks to all in attendance.  Seems like 80% of the crowd arrived within an 8-10 hour stretch.  We did the best we could to get people in as quickly and safely as possible.  We want everyone to have a great time and be set up for a great weekend.  Hit out fanpage for ongoing updates, pictures, and post/share something from YOUR end on the fest.  Single day tickets are available for Sat & Sun, so get out if you can make it, as we have 2 days of madness just kicking in.

***HEY CAMPERS***
Camping on-site obviously has many advantages, and we are excited to see things fill up the way they have. As the Summer Set Music & Camping on-site campsites fill up, we want to make sure you are aware that you have camping options available to you. Some of these options may be a better solution for smaller camping parties. The town of Somerset has viable options for camping that can take care of your lodging needs, as well as keep you right by the festival grounds.

NiT GRiT
San Jose, CA
Destroying speakers and bringing the weak to their knees, NiT GRiT is on a dubstep rampage this summer. NiT GRiT originates from San Jose, CA – where the underground and dubstep EDM genres flourish. NiT GRiT (Danny Bealle) has been a beacon in the dubstep game ever since he began producing his own material in 2007. He has found popularity through Sound Cloud, and continues to put out new tracks for free on the music sharing website. NiT GRiT has an arsenal of 6 original albums, along with countless bone crushing singles. NiT GRiT is no stranger to collaborations, either. He has collaborated with electronic musician Stephan Jacobs to create their newest side project they call “Pizza Party.” The duo has produced one EP together already, and are well on their way to producing another. NiT GRiT also has collaboration plans with popular dubstep artist Glad Kill as well, and the electronic music community is excited for this collaboration! NiT GRiT is on top of his game, to say the least.

Along with spending many hours in the studio producing intense dupstep tracks, NiT GRiT has played at some of the biggest venues and festivals around the country. Last fall, NiT GRiT opened up for Pretty Lights at a few of PL’s tour stops. NiT GRiT also went on his own tour with trip hop producers “Two Fresh” for their own cross country tour called the “No Antidote Tour.” On this tour, NiT GRiT’s first stop was here in Minneapolis, where he literally destroyed the venue’s speakers! Between fall and winter tours and shows, he has also played at huge summer festivals like Coachella, Electric Forest, North Coast, Camp Bisco, and now Summer Set Music Festival! Prepare yourself for a dubstep experience provided by NiT GRiT!

NiT GRiT Media:
http://nitgrit.com/
http://www.facebook.com/nitgrit
http://twitter.com/nitgritmusic/
http://soundcloud.com/nit-grit
http://soundcloud.com/pizza-party-music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsbTnxYYc9U

BEYOND THE MUSIC

Just days away until you pack your tent in the car, pick up some friends, and drive off to the distant lands of Somerset, Wisconsin. You’ve spent countless hours listening to the poly-stylistic sounds of Umphrey’s McGee, subtly bobbing your head to the mellow side of Big Gigantic, and getting goose bumps from Pretty Lights’ monumental drops. But just what kind of audiovisual experience are you really getting yourself into this August weekend? Sure, the multicolor lights of the stage will blow your mind, but look away for a second and you will find yourself surrounded by a multitude of media that transforms you into a new world.

You may walk by a drum circle with entrancing dancers brought to you by the RAW/Face Foreward artist tent and end up doing inversions on a yoga mat while a beat boxer provides you with a hypnotic beat. Or you may find yourself standing in awe of a 50 foot graffiti wall being spray painted by the HomeGrown Minneapolis crew depicting the lights and music blaring in the background. What will you do if you encounter a group of jesters? Faeries? Pirates? Will you join them in their adventure or walk by without a second glance?

What if they ask you to join them in body paint experience of Jacob Alexander and Virtual Warrior Ink? Getting your face painted by harlequins may just get you on the screens of a documentary! And while you may quickly return to the front row of main stage for the next artist, all the installments, creatures, and interactive experiences will remain just a step away.

Live Graffiti wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3vili5O3js

Live body painting by Jacob Alexander: http://www.zanderthezillionaire.biz/

Live dancers (SIM):  http://www.facebook.com/SIMGoGos

Live dancers (Syndicate): http://www.facebook.com/SyndicateGoGos

Photography (Greg Nash): http://www.facebook.com/NashMedia

Bingo Players
http://bingoplayersmusic.com/
Netherlands

This dutch electro and EDM house duo is ready to take over the Midwest this summer for their first time ever on their world tour stop at Summer Set Music & Camping Festival. These two have been together since 2006 and has played along side of the biggest names in electronic music, including; Wolfgang Gartner, Fedde Le Grand, and David Guetta. They have also played a variety of festivals ranging from Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, Dayglow Miami, Ministry of Sound London, Creamfields UK,  and Tomorrowland. Since taking the stage they have been able to pack clubs everywhere with their party rocking enthusiasm. 2011 was the biggest year for Bingo Players, as they began launching new tracks from their label Hysteria as well as finding themselves in their first ever top ten standings on the mainstream top 40 charts. “Cry Just a Little” has been infectious to everybody that listens to it, putting smiles on their faces.  “Cry Just A Little” has been taking over the internet, the top 40 charts, and the nightclubs across the world.  The riff for “Rattle” has been an anthem for 2012, and even if you think you don’t know it you would instantly recognize it (while you are already gettin’ down on the dancefloor to it).  If you’re into crazy parties and amazing dance music you are sure to have a great time with Bingo Players!

WANNA MEET BINGO PLAYERS!?!?!?!?

The good folks over at Elektro Daily have a great contest running with a chance for you to win some great prize packages including a meet & greet with Bingo Players:   http://bit.ly/MZj6yA

Bingo Players media:
http://www.facebook.com/bingoplayers/info
http://twitter.com/bingo_players
http://soundcloud.com/bingoplayers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYgSHOWNE0M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j19_bA515Ws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5dxfIKx9D4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxe_fYjj1rA

URBAN ARTS TENT

At the inaugural Summer Set Music Festival, RAW & Face Forward will showcase the rich arts scene of the Twin Cities in the Urban Arts Tent.  Free your mind and feel inspired by stopping in our tent and connecting with some of the most talented performing and visual artists of the Twin Cities. Feel the energy and power of multidisciplinary arts—drum circles, live graffiti, dance lessons, yoga, break dancing battles, fire spinning, face/body paintings, DJ sets and walk-through art galleries. Even a brief stop at our tent will leave you feeling re-energized and inspired.

RAW ARTISTS:

RAW:natural born artists is a nationwide arts organization that hosts monthly art showcases in more than 50 major cities across the country.  RAW exists as an organization to provide a platform for local, independent and emerging artists in all genres to network and connect with one another, gain more exposure and find a new audience.  Each showcase contains a variety of talent to include musical performances, a “pop-up” art gallery and fashion show to name a few.  Showcases have been taking place monthly at the Fine Line since June of 2011.  To get involved visit www.RAWartists.org.

FACE FORWARD:

Face Forward is a nonprofit booking and media organization whose primary golas are 1) to spread the benefits of performing arts to communicate throughout the Twin Cities and 2) to support the careers of local performing artists.  Face Forward strives to achieve its mission by partnering with community-based organizations in the Twin Cities metro, booking customized shows in non-traditional locations, hiring exclusively local talent and creating high-quality media that showcases local performing arts.  For more info visitwww.faceforwardmn.com.

URBAN ARTS TENT 2012 ARTISTS:

Andres Guzman

Jordan HamiltonEnergy Dance Collective

Deadpool

New Heist

Earthshake World Rhythm Ensemble

DJ Simone Steppa DuJour

OSO’s Bomba Umoja

Liz Huges Fire Spinning

Shahar Eberzon

NAS
Queensbridge, NY

Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones, better known as Nas, has been an icon in the rap and hip hop community since his first release in 1994. Nas is the son of famous jazz musician Olu Dara, so music has been a part of his life since he was born. Since 1994, Nas has released eight albums that have reached platinum and multi-platinum status – four of which that have topped the Billboard charts. He has sold over thirteen-million records in the United States alone. Not only is Nas an extremely accomplished musician but a talented actor as well, and has appeared in a few feature films and television shows throughout the years.

Nas first started gaining attention through his music in 1991 after being featured in a hip hop group called Main Source’s debut album. Soon after being featured on Main Source’s album, Nas gathered more attention through his impressive solo single titled “Halftime.” In 1994, Nas released his debut solo album called “Illmatic.” This album received universal acclaim from the hip hop community and is considered a musical landmark and a hip hop classic. His follow up album titled “It Was Written” debuted at number 1 on Billboard Charts and stayed on top for four weeks. The album went double platinum in only two months, which sent Nas to the top of the hip hop world. In 2006, Nas signed a record deal with Def Jam and released two albums under the label called “Hip Hop is Dead” in 2006 and an untitled album in 2008. Nas collaborated with renowned reggae artist Damian Marley in 2010 and the duo released an album together to generate money for charities created to end poverty in Africa. Recently, Nas released his tenth studio album titled “Life Is Good” in July of 2012. This will be the last release for Nas on the Def Jam label. The album has been a hit worldwide, receiving positive reviews and has given Nas more opportunities to promote his music.

This year alone, Nas has appeared on popular television shows like The Colbert Report, Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and 106 & Park. Nas also headlined the Rock the Bells music festival, and took a three-week European tour in June and July of 2012 to promote his newest album. Life is definitely good for Nas, as he is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers in history. We are more than excited to welcome Nas as a headliner to the Summer Set Music Festival!

NaS Media:
http://www.nasirjones.com/
http://www.islanddefjam.com/artist/home.aspx?artistID=7312
http://www.facebook.com/Nas/info
https://twitter.com/Nas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP4_0z2M85Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydsu_edl1X8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9VQye6P8k0

Thursday night in downtown Minneapolis 4 hip-hop acts from across the Midwest converged on the 7th Street Entry at the historic First Avenue.  These four acts were either voted in by a popular vote or chosen by Team Summer Set to battle it out for an afternoon slot on the inaugural Summer Set Music & Camping Festival.

The 4 acts were:

M.I.C. (Modern Era Music) – Madison, WI - http://www.facebook.com/moderneramusic

Fat C – Minneapolis, MN - http://www.facebook.com/FatSayjack

The AV Club – Minneapolis, MN - http://www.facebook.com/bigpopski

Is He Real? – Ann Arbor, MI - http://soundcloud.com/izzy2010till

This was a difficult choice for Team Summer Set to make, as each act brought different strengths to the stage.  From straight hip-hop flows to rockin’ a party vibe, each act focused on their style and presentation, trying to win both the crowd and judges.  A couple of the acts had a clear home-court advantage, and worked that aspect to it’s maximum.  Def a raging vibe at certain points throughout the night!

In the end, M.I.C. claimed the victory, and the performance slot at the festival.  Much respect to all of the acts for representin’ at the battle, hustling their people into the place, and everyone who came out to support the battle.  Please support local music!