The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival was held in St. Paul, Minnesota, over the weekend of July 18-20, 2025. [Photo credit: Dusana Risovic for Minnesota Yacht Club]
SOPHIE NORRIS | Go Venue Magazine
Returning for its second year, the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival set its sights high and delivered. Expanding from a two-day event to a full three-day weekend, this year’s fest offered fans a true summer experience, with Harriet Island’s shoreline once again transformed into a vibrant blend of live music, local flavor, and community spirit. With approximately 35,000 attendees each day, the festival felt alive from the moment gates opened to the final firework lighting up the skyline.
The organizers made a clear effort to level up from last year, and it showed. One noticeable upgrade was the expanded food and beverage offerings aimed at reducing wait times. While pricing still followed the expected “festival standard,” it wasn’t surprising and the quality made it worth it. Personally, I had a massive, delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap and a refreshing açaí bowl that hit the spot between sets. On the merch side, things also ran smoothly: there were several booths lined up in a row, fully stocked and open all day. I managed to grab what I wanted in under five minutes on Day 2, which is no small feat at a fest this size.
DAY ONE: DISCOVERY & COMEBACKS
Friday kicked off strong with a wave of discovery. One of the biggest standout acts early in the day was local artist Mike Kota, who took the stage second and absolutely crushed it. Their energy was infectious, their vocals raw and rich, and with a new EP dropping in August (release show on 8/8/25 mark your calendar), I can’t recommend them enough. They felt like one of those rare artists you’ll brag about seeing “before they blew up.”
Later in the day, fans were treated to a powerful comeback as Alabama Shakes returned to the stage after a long hiatus. Front-woman Brittany Howard’s vocals were more raw, soulful, and commanding than ever, reminding everyone exactly why this band became a force to begin with. Their set felt less like a return and more like a declaration: Alabama Shakes are back, and they’re here to stay.
The day rolled smoothly, with the weather holding off just long enough to enjoy much of the lineup. Train delivered a polished set that balanced nostalgia and showmanship, even throwing in a few surprise covers including “Hey Jude,” which, as one of my personal favorites, was an unexpected emotional highlight. Their original songs carried the same bittersweet weight they did when first released, and the band wore that emotion on stage.
Unfortunately, Hozier’s headlining set was cut short by rain, ending about 20 minutes early. It marked a rare occasion where he didn’t perform “Take Me to Church,” but even with that omission, the mood was reverent and electric. The crowd stood soaked and smiling, a quiet testament to his presence.
DAY TWO: FILL-INS & FIREPOWER
Saturday came with some uncertainty, as fans wondered how the absence of Motion City Soundtrack’s frontman Justin (out for medical rest) would be handled. What we got was an incredible, unexpected mashup of talent. Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy stepped up and filled in, turning the set into a next-level, Minneapolis-rooted rock karaoke moment. With less than a day to prepare, he may not have nailed every lyric, but his energy was contagious, and the crowd loved every minute of it. The hometown love didn’t stop there, Nadi from local band Gully Boys also joined in, giving fans even more to cheer about. And just when we thought the surprises were over, Motion City Soundtrack dropped the news: a new album is coming later this year.
Weezer followed with a tried-and-true performance that reminded us why they’ve been a staple in the scene for decades. From power chords to fan favorites, their set had the polish and playful confidence of a band who knows exactly who they are.
And then came Fall Out Boy, who closed the night with full-force flair. The band was down guitarist Joe Trohman, but newcomer Max stepped in with only a short window to prepare and absolutely nailed it. His performance was clean, energetic, and technically sharp, though as a fan, I wished he’d been positioned a bit closer to the front rather than tucked behind the core members. On the flip side, drummer Andy Hurley was front and visible, and it made a big difference, watching the power of each hit added a rawness that pulsed through the set.
Despite pulling double duty, Patrick Stump’s vocals were spot-on all night. His command of the stage never wavered, and his gritty growls during “I Don’t Care” had fans screaming every word back to him. The band as a whole felt locked in—tight, confident, and ready to prove why they still dominate stages like this. Like Pete Wentz said mid-set: “We brought literally everything with us.” And they absolutely did.
DAY THREE: NOSTALGIA & CLOSURE
Sunday wrapped the weekend in a haze of ‘90s nostalgia and carefree fun, as Sublime, 311, and Green Day anchored a day full of standout moments and infectious energy. Early in the day, Beach Bunny brought pure feel-good vibes to the stage, with fans donning bunny ears in support. Their set was lighthearted, warm, and full of singalong moments, a reminder that joy doesn’t always have to be loud to hit hard.
Then came The Beaches, who quickly became one of the day’s most talked-about acts. The all-female Canadian rockers kept the crowd laughing and dancing with their tight, high-energy set and undeniable chemistry. They even poked fun at the recent Coldplay kiss cam incident, pretending they’d been caught having an affair, which only added to their charm. Their mix of humor, confidence, and musical power made them a fast fan favorite and one of the weekend’s breakout performances.
Later in the day, the Skipper Stage quite literally turned things up, volume levels noticeably increased, and while it added punch to the sound, it also meant that if you were close to the stage during Sublime’s set, the bass could be felt in your chest. Still, Jakob Nowell brought the fire. With vocals that held their own and energy that matched the legacy of his father’s band, Sublime’s set was a full-throttle throwback that felt alive and loud in all the right ways.
And then came a moment that felt pure, as fans waited for Green Day to take the stage, the crowd spontaneously began singing Bohemian Rhapsody, Green Day’s iconic walk-on song. Thousands of voices rose together, harmonizing in hope, excitement, and shared anticipation. There’s something awe-inspiring about being surrounded by strangers all singing in sync, united by love for a band that changed their lives. It was one of those moments where the why behind music festivals becomes crystal clear. Green Day’s headlining set was the exclamation point at the end of an already bold paragraph. Their performance was explosive in every sense, capped by fireworks that lit up the skyline and made for a perfect, almost cinematic close to the weekend.
Final Thoughts:
Minnesota Yacht Club Festival 2025 felt like a festival coming into its own. With a thoughtful expansion to three days, noticeable upgrades to operations, and a lineup that balanced surprise with comfort, it proved this isn’t just a one-and-done novelty, it’s carving out a real identity in the Midwest festival scene. Whether you came for the legends, the locals, or the lake breeze, chances are you left feeling like you were part of something bigger.
Beyond the music, what made this weekend stand out was how smoothly everything ran behind the scenes. With over 35,000 people in the park each day, the effort and care from organizers was clear. Security and medical teams helped everyone feel safe, while festival staff and volunteers kept things moving with efficiency and warmth. Their smiles were constant, their energy contagious, and many were clearly enjoying the festival right alongside the fans.
It takes a village to pull off something this ambitious, and every person who helped make this event possible deserves serious credit. A huge thank you to everyone who worked the festival, both seen and unseen. And a personal thank you for allowing me to be a part of it all, it was an honor to witness and capture such a special weekend. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2026.
All images © Sophie Norris
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