Last weekend we played a festival; and that’s what it felt like, an all-out music festival, just a lot smaller. The Kraut Kickoff, in downtown Henderson, was the start of Henderson’s Music on Main series, and a warm-up to Sauerkraut Days June 27-29. Beer, brats, kraut and music. Pretty simple. But the music was different. No usual bar bands (too expensive, maybe), no, these were musicians.

Guitar phenom Trevor Wiest opened the show with a demonstration of what is possible if you study your scales. I obviously know my scales as well as my two-year old knows his alphabet.

Next up was Whitebread and Whiskey. First, these guys were selling t-shirts before they even played their first song. No, I really mean their first song. It was their first gig and they already have t-shirts! One of them probably owns a t-shirt shop or something. Honestly, I’d probably go to bars a lot more often if there was a band like this playing. Once there, I’d drink way more beer than usual.

I’m still waiting for a set-list from these guys because they played a couple songs that I cannot get out of my head. As soon as I get a response, I’ll fill you in.

OK, like I said earlier: I thought we were the only band writing songs about Henderson. Another debut performance, and another band I’d definitely go see again, Dirt Roads, is Troy Koester, Kirby Weckworth and Jeff Kreger. They opened their set with Sauerkraut Days, a song chronicling an event as much infamous as it is famous.

A few more local-flavored originals, some guitar-jangling jams, and some barely obscure covers, just enough. Perhaps the most melancholy performance of the evening was their mash-up of Wilco’s Via Chicago woven together with Neil Young’s Helpless. I have consulted a thesaurus for another word for melancholy, but I’m just going to leave it.

Oh yeah, Depot Creek played after dark. It was outside, there was almost no rain, no searing sun, and no mosquitos. Excellent work Sauerkraut Music Committee on putting together such a festival-worthy lineup.

More info on the Kraut Kickoff (<–click Kraut Kickoff )

Refreshments and food, outside, in Charlie’s parking lot, Henderson, Minn.

Full Music Schedule:

Trevor Wiest – 6:30 pm

Whitebread & Whiskey – 7:00 pm

Dirt Road – 8:00 pm

Depot Creek – 9:00 pm

For more info on the Kraut Kickoff.