5 can't-miss venues at Homegrown Music Festival 2026
April 27, 2026
Every year at the end of April, Homegrown Music Festival takes over nearly every Twin Ports music venue. What started as a grassroots event has grown to a week-long festival gathering musicians and artists across Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin. The venues range from hole-in-the-wall bars to the 7,377-capacity Amsoil Arena.
The festival began unofficially in 1998 when Scott Lundt hosted a five-band event to celebrate his 30th birthday. By 1999, Homegrown officially launched as a one-weekend showcase at the NorShor Theatre. In 2004, Homegrown had expanded to 67 acts played four nights at eight venues at the time. The very next year, the “Dave Simonett Band,” eventually known as Trampled by Turtles, played at Pizza Lucé, marking one of Homegrown’s many historic shows over the years.
For the 2026 Homegrown, Monday, April 27, sets the tone in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood, giving a local and laid-back start to the week. Tuesday, April 28, expands to select Canal Park venues, Downtown venues, and Amsoil Arena hosts the headliner of the festival. Wednesday, April 29, shifts to the West Duluth area, and Thursday, April 30, crosses the bridge into Superior, Wisconsin. Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, are centered around downtown Duluth. The following Sunday, May 3, is an afternoon at Canal Park Brewing. This year there are 172 bands playing across the whole week.
Here are five of the top venues to visit during Homegrown 2026. A full schedule for the festival can be found on the Homegrown website here.
Three new bands to look out for at Homegrown Music Festival 2026Pizza Lucé
Pizza Lucé has been a popular Homegrown venue since 2002. It kicks off each first Sunday with a Best New Bands Showcase focused on artists making their Homegrown debut. Located in the Duluth Technology building, the restaurant-focused venue transforms its dining and bar area into a full wrap-around stage for concerts.
Opened in 2001, Pizza Lucé’s Duluth location has become a staple in the community for a quick slice and supporting local bands. The establishment maintains a positive and open atmosphere for all customers and staff. Pizza Lucé is a strict 21-plus venue and is open daily until 1 a.m.
Schedule:
Friday, May 1
Grand Holler 10 p.m.
Beauty Mountain Rd 11 p.m.
Shadows of Me 12 a.m.
Saturday, May 2
Jumpsuit 10 p.m.
Interstellar Overdrive 11 p.m.
Venus de Mars and All the Pretty Horses 12 a.m.
Address: 11 E Superior St., Duluth, Minnesota
Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-1 a.m., Saturday and Sunday
Website: pizzaluce.com/locations/duluth
Blacklist Brewing Co.
Located in downtown Duluth, Blacklist Brewing Co. is a well-known, family-friendly spot for local brews and axe-throwing. It opened in 2012 through a Kickstarter campaign and moved to its downtown location in 2016. Blacklist first participated in Homegrown in 2018 for the festival's 20th year. After the closing of Hoops Brewing, Blacklist Brewing Co. now hosts the Founders’ Reception on opening night. During Homegrown, Blacklist is a strict 18-plus music venue and supports musicians of all ages. This year, local favorites such as Discord at Dawn and Pronoya will perform there.
Schedule:
Friday, May 1
The Old Smugglers 9:45 p.m.
Discord at Dawn 10:45 p.m.
Dj Adub 11:45 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Pronoya 9:45 p.m.
Portrait of a Drowned Man 10:45 p.m.
Mid Dream 11:45 p.m.
Address: 206 E Superior St., Duluth, Minnesota
Hours: 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Monday- Thursday; 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Friday; 12 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Saturday; 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Sunday
Website: blacklistbeer.com
Prøve Gallery
The Prøve Collective is a community art space located in downtown Duluth. This is the first year the venue is taking part in Homegrown. Its lineup includes some heavy bands, including Brainwashed and Throw Me the Remote, as well as folk groups like Peat Boggs. Year-round, the gallery is mainly focused on physical art, and hosts many gallery openings, events, and receptions. Prøve is an 18-plus location and is also one of the few venues with free admission.
Schedule:
Friday, May 1
Brainwashed 6 p.m.
Peat Boggs 7 p.m.
Throw me the Remote 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Crimson Soul 6 p.m.
Slape 7 p.m.
The Draco Volans 8 p.m.
Address: 21 N Lake Ave., Duluth, Minnesota
Hours: Volunteer-based, open for gallery viewing and shows
Website: provecollective.org
Sacred Heart Music Center
Completed in 1896, Sacred Heart Music Center is a long-time staple of the hillside community. The iconic Duluth structure was once used for congregation, and is now a home to live music, as well as weddings, receptions, and other functions. Besides being a versatile venue for events, Sacred Heart is also a space where artists can record their music.
In 2006, Sacred Heart hosted its first Homegrown show with Trampled by Turtles and Charlie Parr. Its neo-Gothic interior is stunning, making this venue a necessary stop for everyone’s Homegrown experience. This year expect to see acts like the legendary Ross Thorn and Misisipi Mike Wolf and the Plain High Drifters.
Schedule:
Friday May 1
Taylor James Donskey 7 p.m.
Lee Clark Allen 8 p.m.
Ross Thorn 9 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Misisipi Mike Wolf and the Plain High Drifters 7 p.m.
Cyr and the Cosmonauts 8 p.m.
Witchfarm 9 p.m.
Address: 201 W 4th St., Duluth, Minnesota
Hours: Open all day Monday and Saturday; closed for private events
Website: sacredheartmusic.org
The Main Club
The Main Club is the longest-standing LGBTQIA+ bar in Superior, Wisconsin, and has been a part of Homegrown since 2008. Located in the heart of Superior, The Main Club was created to provide a social atmosphere open to everyone.
Beyond Homegrown, The Main Club is a well-established, diverse space open for drag shows and as a stage for local musicians. The stage area can accommodate a large crowd and provides optimal viewing with a step-down floor plan that brings the audience closer to the stage.
Schedule:
Thursday, April 30
The Lonely Loons 8:45 p.m.
Brinn Major 9:45 p.m.
The Brothers Burn Mountain 10:45 p.m.
Address: 1217 Tower Ave., Superior, Wisconsin
Hours: 3 p.m.-10 p.m., Sunday; 3 p.m.-12 a.m., Monday-Thursday; 3 p.m.-2 a.m., Friday-Saturday
Website: mainclubwi.com
The Sturgeon Sound is Ellie Adams (designer/writer), Oliver Heck (videographer/writer), and Gavin Weiers (photographer/writer). Their mission is to document the Twin Ports DIY music scene. Follow their work at @thesturgeonsound.
