The 7th annual 10,000 Lakes Music Festival took place this past weekend in Detroit Lakes, MN. The weekends festivities began on Wednesday with five packed campgrounds, beautiful weather, good vibes and music from both big-name acts as well as from smaller groups. Gomez opened the Main Stage at 6 p.m., the first time the festival used the largest stage in the venue to showcase acts on Wednesday. Widespread Panic then played their first of two shows during the weekend, delivering a well-received two set performance. Late night highlights included a trippy light show and hip-hop beats from Pretty Lights on the Field Stage while Colorado-based Kinetix appeared on the Barn Stage, blowing away the audience with a set full of originals as well as classic covers, including Queens Bohemian Rhapsody. Carney closed Wednesdays late night shows on the Saloon Stage.

Thursday afternoon opened with an energetic and original set from Akron/Family on the Barn Stage. Railroad Earth and Garaj Mahal also offered some memorable moments during the day. Meanwhile, Minneapolis-based The Honeydogs held down the Main Stage, turning on many new fans as did Mason Jennings, another Minnesota native. Wilco came next, opening with Wilco (The Song) from their new record, Wilco (The Album). The band played a non-stop, two-hour set that included tunes from the new album as well as many classics, like Impossible Germany and Cant Stand It. Thursday late night sets came from Minneapolis hip-hop group Atmosphere and guitarist Junior Brown. Both played for about an hour before a thunderstorm blew through the campgrounds, forcing the stages to close early.
On Friday, Minneapolis band Cloud Cult played for the largest crowd the Barn Stage had all weekend. On the Field Stage, Everyone Orchestra jammed with a huge lineup that included Matt Butler (conducting), Reed Mathis (bass), Steve Kimock (guitar), John Morgan Kimock (drums), Ryan Peterson (guitar), Erin Zindal (violin), Randall Moore (percussion), Dominic Lali (saxophone) and Sara Krueger and Alissa Volker (vocals). The set raised $1200 in 15 minutes to help local music programs at Detroit Lakes City Schools. Minnesotas Trampled By Turtles warmed up the Main Stage for Widespread Panics second show of the weekend. Panic played a three and a half hour show and had listeners raving that this set was better than their first. Fridays late night shows included BoomBox, WookieFoot and Backyard Tire Fire.
The last day of the festival included music from Turbine, Todd Snider, Tea Leaf Green, Ozomatli and Kathleen Edwards. Umphreys McGee took the Main Stage on Saturday, playing new numbers, band staples (Pay the Snucka) and a request by 10KLF organizers, (Cant You Hear Me Knocking).Dave Matthews Band followed Umphreys on the Main Stage, packing the bowl with nearly 20,000 fans. DMB delivered a set filled with songs from Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King as well as such staples as Seek Up, Jimi Thing and Corn Bread. The band encored with You & Me and All Along the Watchtower with a Stairway to Heaven refrain. The 7th annual 10,000 Lakes Music Festival later closed out with Pert Near Sandstone, who played until their 3 a.m. curfew and then moved outside to perform for the hundreds of people who didnt want the festival to end. Report by Grace Beehler