Published on 2026-05-18 by Kendall Lotto
Don't Miss this year's Concerts on the Pier Lineup!
July 1st Lineup
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
July 8th Lineup
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.
Water Cat
After meeting while traveling in India and Ethiopia, musicians Henry Bullard Turnquist and Emma Musto formed the duo Water Cat. Their musical style is a colorful reflection of their love of cultures around the globe. Blending instruments, styles, and languages, they draw from French, Spanish, Brazilian, West African, and American influences. Polyglot French-American vocalist Emma Musto performs her effortless melodies while playing percussion on the African calabash, while Henry Turnquist harmonizes and alternates between the resonator guitar, stomp box, harmonica, and the kora, a 22-stringed West African harp.
July 15th Lineup
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.
July 22nd Lineup
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. Her sound naturally blends country and Southern rock, marked by warmth, grit, and melodic instinct. After building momentum across the Upper Midwest, Hansen relocated to Nashville following the release of her single “Somebody’s Nobody. She is now a Belmont University student, full-time singer-songwriter, and collaborator with legendary producer Kent Wells. Her single “You or The Whiskey” achieved notable chart success as the #2 charting independent artist and earned multiple Josie Music Award nominations. In December 2025, Hansen signed with Get Joe Records for a record deal and management contract, working on her latest EP, Business Is Good, set to be released in early Summer, as she continues to tour and build national buzz.
Learn more about Sydney Hansen
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
July 29th Lineup
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
August 5th Lineup
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.
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
August 12th Lineup
Climes
Climes is a collabratove music project led by Drew Anderson, whose songwriting merges folkish sensability with genre bending guitar and lute dulcimer.
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
August 19th Lineup
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.
August 26th Lineup
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
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Our sponsors help us make this free community event possible.
Interested in learning more about sponsoring Concerts on the Pier? Email our Director at [email protected].
2026 Superior Level Sponsors
Duluth AV LogisticsMid Coast CateringMy95.7Renewal by Andersen
2026 Pier Level Sponsors
Kraus-AndersonLove Creamery Perfect duluth day
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