Concerts on the Pier

Musicians & Bios

Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold
After two decades of writing songs, years of performing as a solo artist, and the release of his debut album Smoky Gold, singer-songwriter Danny Frank has curated an all-star cast of seasoned musicians that fully compliments his skillfully-crafted works. Based in Duluth, MN, “The Smoky Gold” is comprised of banjo player Harrison Olk (Tin Can Gin, Cascade Crescendo, Kind Country Band), bassist Joe Scarpellino (Smokin’ Joe, Dead Larry), and fiddle savant Erin Aldridge (Concert Master - Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra). Danny Frank & The Smoky Gold’s unique sound blends soulful lead vocals with rich harmonies and virtuosic instrumentalism. Steeped in musical traditions of folk, bluegrass, country, classic rock, and blues, Danny Frank & The Smoky Gold offers a genre-blending Americana sound that is captivating, invigorating, and sure to get your toe tapping. 

Learn more about Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold

The Harlow Pennies
The Harlow Pennies are an indie band emerging from rural Minnesota, where wide-open spaces and quiet moments shape a sound that is both grounded and expansive. Blending elements of pop, rock, and folk, their music carries a sense of movement—rooted in tradition, but always reaching forward. Led by the evocative vocals and musicianship of Michaela Engh, Alexandria Gosen, and Steve Clemens, the band creates songs that feel lived-in and deeply human. Their sound is layered and atmospheric, built around image-rich lyricism that draws listeners into fully realized emotional landscapes. 

Learn more about The Harlow Pennies

Slope City
Helmed by the multi-talented Michael Smišek, Slope City is the synthesis of visual design expertise applied to the medium of sound and songwriting. As a full band, the sonic tapestry of it's members spans blues, Americana, and soul-inspired pop, while carefully weaving together rich rhythmic elements and  heartfelt lyricism. From original tunes that leave you humming on the way home to reimagined covers, the music always feels purposeful and professional, but never staged. 

Learn more about Slope City

Water Cat
A mix of original, americana, folk, blues, and French/world music that can put one at ease, bring tears to the eye, or light a fire. A little bit Janis Joplin, a bit Edith Piaf, with a helping of The Devil Makes Three and many others, Water Cat can make either make your ears groove or your body move. We are perfect as an opening act, and can play small or large venues. 

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Joyann Parker
With roots in the church and a solid foundation of musical education, Joyann Parker found her authentic voice later in life and created her own blend of roots music that combines soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and traditional blues styles. Parker has been a steadily rising star on the Midwest music scene and now brings her full range of talent as an accomplished singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter to national and international stages. Joyann's rootsy, genre-blending sequel, "Out of the Dark," was released on February 12, 2021 and debuted at #11 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #1 on the NACC Radio chart. Joyann's new album, “Life Lines” releases Marxch 27, 2026 on all platforms. 

Learn more about Joyann Parker

Clayton Ryan
Minnesota country rocker Clayton Ryan is the walking definition of a “grassroots” musician. With his tireless national touring and a rustic, uniquely-Midwestern sound, Clayton and his electrifying live band have built their following at the ground level, one fan at a time. His debut album Ghost Town - and well over a hundred shows a year - put him in the national spotlight, showcasing a nostalgic sound and a wide scope of powerfully emotional  songwriting. His music has been featured in programs like NFL, NASCAR, WWE, and Walker, and he has shared stages with country legends like John Michael Montgomery, Collin Raye, Jo Dee Messina, and Ned LeDoux. With his sophomore project Gas Station Social Club set to begin rolling out in May, Clayton is prepared for his breakout moment as a dedicated, unrelenting performer. 

Learn more about Clayton Ryan

Sydney Hansen
Sydney Hansen is a Duluth, Minnesota native and Nashville-based recording artist whose sultry vocals and emotionally driven songwriting are quickly positioning her as a standout emerging voice in modern country music. She began writing original songs at just thirteen, drawing from real-life love, heartbreak, and self-discovery to craft honest, resonant storytelling. As a standout young woman from the Northern pines, her sound currently naturally blends country and Southern rock, marked by warmth, grit, and melodic instinct. 

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The Roadside Lupines
We’re The Roadside Lupines! A 4-piece folk band based out of Duluth, Minnesota (arguably the best place on earth). After meeting in college in 2019 we came together as a band in 2023, blending heartfelt original songs with fun covers spanning from Duluth’s own Trampled by Turtles to Shania Twain. With a name and music rooted in the North Shore, we aim to capture the spirit of life up north and the place we are so grateful to call home. 

Learn more about The Roadside Lupines

Maria & the Coins
With the release of their latest single “Say It’s Over,” Maria and the Coins are ushering in their next era of indie pop-rock while retaining the lyrical integrity, powerhouse vocals, and early 2000s-inspired style that define their sound. The Minneapolis-based fivesome’s catalog consists of big-picture pop anthems, soulful ballads, and driving- with-the-windows-down-belt-your-heart-out bangers. From finding and losing love to struggles with mental health to searching for joy in the little corners of the universe— one idea remains a constant through it all: encouraging listeners to keep moving forward. 

Maria and the Coins have opened for Christina Perri, Papa Roach, Jukebox the Ghost,Betty Who, JP Saxe, and Haley Reinhart. Their music has received airplay on NPR’sThe Current, KFAI, and many stations in the midwest, with the lead single “Movin’ On”gaining traction on playlists all over the world. Other notable releases include theiralbumForwardand their 2024 mental health anthem “Something Good,” which will befeatured in the upcomingfilm“interiorem pueri”next spring.

Learn more about Maria & the Coins

Dead End Friends
Dead End Friends formed in mid 2011 and has been rocking socks ever since. Members include Duluthians Joey Warttman (guitar vocals), Ben Anderson (rock bass, vocals),  Phil McLoughlin (guitar, vocals)  and Pete Hannegraf (drums). Their sound is influenced by a blend of the Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, and the Second Hand. Along with an array of original songs, the band plays a variety of covers that keeps heads bobbing and feet stomping. 

Learn more about Dead End Friends

Lazerbeak
Aaron Mader, known professionally as Lazerbeak, is a Minneapolis-based artist and producer. Over the past decade he has collaborated with everyone from reigning pop queen Lizzo (producing her entire debut album), Doja Cat, Dessa, bluegrass heavyweights Trampled By Turtles, dark wave icons Twin Tribes, and the Grammy-winning Minnesota Orchestra, all while continuing to build and create with life-long comrades from his own Doomtree artist collective and notching production credits on everything from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton Mixtape to the dark electro-pop of Banks’ critically acclaimed III album. Aside from being a founding member of the Doomtree collective, he is also the CEO and General Manager of Doomtree Records, handling the day-to-day operations, management, and inner workings of the crew and label. His latest solo project, For Storms, is the fourth in an on-going meditative instrumental series. 

Learn more about Lazerbeak

Little Fevers
A Minnesota based quartet who has been making music since 2013. Their sound is a melding of indie and new wave sounds. Little Fevers latest albumd, Singles Vol. 2, was released in spring 2024 and ruminates on themes of love, storytelling, generations, and time passing. 

Learn more about Little Fevers

Climes
Climes is a collabratove music project led by Drew Anderson, whose songwriting merges folkish sensability with genre bending guitar and lute dulcimer. 

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Skarlett Woods
Duluth-based Singer-Songwriter and 7-string guitarist Skarlett Woods can only be placed in one musical category: powerful. Skarlett weaves together the rich tapestry of Americana sounds- Folk, Roots, Rock ’n Roll and Alt-Country- making each song seemingly simple yet deeply engaging. Her original work can be daring and Jazzy like early 1970's Joni Mitchell, poetic like Bob Dylan, sweet and sexy like Norah Jones or laced with Americana like Brandi Carlile. Hailed by Dave Franklin, (Dancing About Architecture), as a “worthy successor to the likes of James Taylor, Joan Baez”.

Learn more about Skarlett Woods

The Brothers Burn Mountain
Based out of Duluth, MN, The Brothers Burn Mountain are a soulful, energetic, eclectic duo of real-life brothers, Ryan and Jesse Dermody. They've been playing music together everyday as a duo for more than 22 years. They've released 11 full-length albums of original music, and have toured across the country over the years, though especially in the Midwest, having played more than 2,000 live shows. Their sound is a roiling melting pot of so many musical influences, that it's hard to describe, except as energetic and eclectic; with afro-cuban rhythms, Zappa-esque spontanaeity, grittiness, bluesyness, tenderness, and a singer-songwriter, folky flair. 

Learn more about The Brothers Burn Mountain

Long Sleeves
Felix and Kaelyn formed Long Sleeves nearly two years ago, with the vision of a folk-infused, singer-songwriter band that blends beautiful harmonies with themes of identity, love, and nature. Through covers and original songs, they experiment with poetic lyrics and rhythmic guitar parts. Long Sleeves is based in the Twin Cities and Duluth area and enjoys playing at Sir Ben’s and Studio Café.

Adam Herman & The Dynamite Club
Adam Herman & The Dynamite Club is a Duluth-based musical act known for performing blues and original tunes, often featuring classics from B.B. King to Gary Clark Jr.. They are active in the local scene, frequently playing at venues like Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Squid City Slingers
Squid City Slingers is an eclectic group blending bluegrass, folk, country, and jazz. Based in MN, they've built a strong following in the Twin Cities and Twin Ports with driving stand-up bass, fiery fiddle, and flat-picking guitar. 

Learn more about Squid City Slingers

Permitted Items:

• Any type of bag (ex. purse, tote bag, diaper bag, medical bag)
• Portable chairs, blankets, and strollers/wagons

Prohibited Items:

• Outside food/alcohol and coolers (small, pre-packaged snacks are allowed and clear bottles with ONLY water are permitted)
• Pets or Emotional Support Animals (service animals are permitted)
• Weapons
• UAS (Drones)
• Use of illegal drugs or vape/tobacco/cannabis products
• Skateboards, scooters, bikes, and other wheeled motorized or non-motorized vehicles on the property (not allowed past entrance; parking area provided near entrance)
• All other items deemed prohibited at the discretion of event management

*All bags and items are subject to screening at entry points by Glensheen staff prior to entering the property. All prohibited items must be disposed of or left in your vehicle before entering the property. Glensheen does not provide bag check/item storage at the gate. Please note that all unattended items will be relocated 30 minutes after the event end time.

Concerts are FREE to attend! If you’d like to contribute to Glensheen to help further our mission of Celebrating Preservation, please donate to the Concerts on the Pier fund here.

Glensheen’s address is 3300 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55804. We strongly encourage you to walk, bike, bus, ride share, or shuttle to Glensheen, as parking is very limited on-site. If you must drive here, please be kind to our neighbors and follow the City of Duluth’s parking rules.

Each night of Concerts on the Pier, we will be running a FREE* shuttle bus from UMD’s Maroon Lot B by the Heikkila Chemistry & Advanced Materials Science Building (HCAMS) down to Glensheen and back. Parking in this lot is FREE. The bus will be running on a continuous loop to and from Glensheen and UMD’s Maroon Lot B between 5PM (first pick up at UMD) and 9PM (last boarding at Glensheen at 8:30PM).

*If you plan to ride the shuttle bus, we would kindly ask that you donate $5 per rider to the Concerts on the Pier fund to help support. We will have QR codes to scan on the bus and a physical donation receptacle at Glensheen for those wishing to donate with cash. This is a great option for folks looking to get dropped off right by the front gate!

Yard games (cornhole, Jenga, and more) will be available to play! The Duluth YMCA will also be providing activities for the whole family each week. We also recommend walking the property to take in the beauty of the estate during the summer months.

Yes! Purchase our exclusive early access package valued at $100, for just $60. The package includes a punchcard to all 9 concerts which gives you 30-40 minutes early access before everyone else arrives to snag your perfect concert spot on the grounds or in the water, and get a FREE 2026 Concerts on the Pier t-shirt and sticker included.

Purchase Here

Yes! Three food truck options will be available each night for Concerts on the Pier. Local ice cream, small snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available for purchase on-site.

If accommodations such as an interpreter are needed, please make accommodation requests two weeks in advance for each performance. Accommodation requests can be made by contacting [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming you to Glensheen!

This year, Glensheen will offer on-site launching for non-motorized watercraft (ex. canoes, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), or kayaks) in a limited capacity.

Please register for a timeslot here (subject to availability) to launch your non-motorized watercraft in one of the 15-minute time slots provided on the ticketing website. Glensheen is NOT a boat launch and we will not allow any motorized watercraft or boats to launch from our property. Please note that NO TRAILERS will be allowed in the Glensheen parking lot due to space limitations. All non-motorized watercraft launched at Glensheen must be fastened directly to or contained within a vehicle.

By launching your non-motorized watercraft at Glensheen, you agree to abide by the rules on the DNR website for Lake Superior watercraft and our event. Please note that you must be registered in advance to be eligible to launch your non-motorized vessel at Glensheen.

If you plan to launch your non-motorized watercraft off-site and utilize the 42nd Ave E beach, please DO NOT park on 42nd Avenue East below London Rd. For the 42nd Ave E beach, please park along or above London Road and carry your non-motorized watercraft down to the public beach access. Excessive congestion in this area can lead to problems for neighbors and emergency responders. Thank you for your cooperation.

Register for a Timeslot