Yacht Club Day Three: Hot And Cold Hat Trick
Ah the last day of MN Yacht Club. Scored my free parking space yet again, went in with luck leading the way. But how long would that streak last?
Checking open the last day of 2026 Yacht Club, Common People were first up on the Crow’s Nest. Remarking it as their first time ever playing in Minnesota, was a delightful and upbeat start to the afternoon. They had some die-hard fans also that the lead singer shouted out, of course with some handmade signs. All the bandmates were playing well off of each other, rocking the half hour set with ease. “Who's been here for the past few days? Hell yeah, cause you love tunes!”
Bringing a needed jolt of punk, Minneapolis’ own Heart Of Gold was first on the Skipper Stage. “We usually don't play on this side of the river, hello Saint Paul!” the trio was energetic, wishing band member Blake a happy birthday between jamming out. Though no crowd surfing was had, typical of their normal show, oodles of headbanging and dancing continued throughout their entire set. Even a little pit got going, always love to see that.
Almost ten minutes after they were set to begin, Couch had bit of technical difficulties, looked like some cord issues bruised a prompt start time. With how many instruments they expertly use, will allow a pass for that. Anytime a band has a brass section, I'm in. The seven-piece sensation delivers that funk and rock medley with a dash of soul that keeps your ear satiated while keeping you guessing what’s next. The sound was great once they got going. With a sax, all is possible. The Massachusetts band did very well, and the audience was digging them hard.
Seems like all the good luck of the last two days for smooth sailing on the technical side have puttered out. Die Spitz had multiple unfortunate interruptions while trying to start their set, and a few more sprinkled in to keep it interesting along the way. Don't worry, they killed it anyways. Not just another Austin band, each member steals your ear and gaze. Blooming energy, having two flavors of singers rounds out the sound very well. From impressive handstands to walking guitar solos into the crowd, was thrilled the entire set. In more of my wheelhouse of typical genres I listen to, relished in the more heavy sounds Die Spitz brought to the festival.
Cool guitar and sunglasses? Check and check. Dope Lemon snuck onto to the Crow's Nest Stage at the hottest point of the Sunday sun but still managed to perform quite well. And in a SUIT. Ooofda. Must have been hot, but you couldn't tell. Dope Lemon is a solo project by singer songwriter Angus Stone, bringing that Australian flavor to Minnesota in style. Another groovy band for the third day of MN Yacht Club. Digging the variety of Sunday’s bands, the hours passed quickly from band to band and before I knew it, their set was complete. Enjoyed the last few from the succulent shade from the looming giant cottonwood trees.
Local heros, Semisonic took to the Skipper Stage in style. Throughout the weekend, the boxed water has been a fun stacking activity for the crowd before and during sets. Some might tall ones throughout the days. Right before Semisonic popped onto the stage, audience participants managed to create one long and sturdy enough to travel the span of the middle pass where security and media goes. Got some limbo action going even before the tunes began. Smiling immediately, lead singer Dan Wilson looked so delighted. Their songs are hits for a reason, irresistibly catchy and caught myself singing the entire time while paparazziing. With their particular rock flavor almost every head got to bobbing. Good feelings and good sound abound, love seeing some homegrown talent that's legendary in the charts show just why they have been a household name for decades. “Don't Give Up Yet” was a particularly powerful song to perform, written for bandmate, John.
Passion Pit is one of those bands that puts a light in your soul and shows you the way. Wow, they are so fun live. I couldn’t help myself but dance the entire time, and I definitely wasn’t alone. They have so many neat tech boards and instruments on stage, you feel like you may just launch into space at any minute. Even though it was BOILING, those boys didn’t let it effect them one bit. Standing up their seats to see the full breath of the pulsating crowd, switching from keyboards to singing to guitar and back again. Hell yreah, Passion Pit. You guys fricken rocked my socks.
Yowzers. Cage The Elephant is the moment. They exploded onto stage and didn’t stop for an hour. Was my first time seeing them live and was astonished, truly. Their veins flow with headliner energy, and I’d argue they probably should have been the crescendo for MN Yacht Club Day 3 lineup. Those Kentucky boys made a new fan, like I was honestly blown away. Matt Schultz was leaping and bounding all over the stage, expertly dodging mike stands and playing off his fellow bandmates. He came out and sang in the crowd for a hot minute before jumping back to crank out more wild moves on stage for the cheering audience. Tons of pyro throughout the set added to the explosive and hot energy. Love when bands add a little razzle dazzle like that. As a more metal leaning gal, they hit all my sweet spots and more. Lead singer Matt Shultz was electric to witness.
Wow wow wow. 11/10 performance.
Dadrap icon, Atmosphere was last to head the Crow’s Nest stage. Having seen them before a few times, knew it would be good. And yep, it was. Slug knows exactly how to motivate and boost a crowd’s fun levels, DJ Ant was even SMILING at the board behind him during a couple songs. Old school Minnesota cool, when “God Loves Ugly” came on, luckily I took a moment to turn back and see how many people were waving their hands in unison. Magical moments like that are exactly why people come to festivals. Saw them a few months back at First Ave for their anniversary show, so happy hearing thousands shout back in unison lyrics that mean so much. Love me a club show and arena performance, but seeing a sea of thousands in the setting sun all together having a good time is unique to spaces like Yacht Club.
Pushing ten minutes late, The Strokes mildly arrived on stage. Filled with enough fog to obscure any discernable details, started their set off with lack-luster energy. A bit of a bummer, after hearing die-hard fans cheer “Stroke it! Stroke it!” for half an hour awaiting their arrival. “What is this, Saint Paul?” murmured lead singer Julian Casablancas as his first utterance to the crowd. Cool. Not what I’d say. The time they did play, they sounded legit. Guitar tone on point, drums, vocals, etc., but there was a glaring obvious piece missing. They didn’t seem to want to be there. As the LAST HEADLINER of a THREE DAY FESTIVAL? C’mon now. I get you gotta be an aloof rockstar sometimes, but it was pretty disappointing. Cutting their set 15 minutes short, so playing less than an hour of their hour and half set, walked away a bit crestfallen. SO many amazing bands and artist that fought apathy and showed up for their fans during the entire festival, bummer The Strokes missed that note.
MN Yacht Club 2026 was fantastic. A different tone than last year, but I liked the more chillaxed atmosphere for genres and band choices this time around as well.
The sweltering weather made it a bit wild sometimes, but hey, that’s Minnesota, baby.
