History

Live music along the Mississippi River

The Grand Rapids Riverfest was born out of the former KAXE 91.7 Mississippi Riverfest, a grassroots celebration of the new station along the banks of the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids, MN. The original festival garnered loyal fans over a 15-year period. Now transformed, the Grand Rapids Riverfest is simply the best party in Grand Rapids.

Musicians performing on stage, focusing on a woman playing bongos and a man on drums, with vibrant background art.

Past Performers

  • Grand Rapids Riverfest:
    Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
    Spoon
    Trampled by Turtles
    Wilco
    Amanda Shires
    Annie Humphrey
    Charlie Parr
    Chastity Brown
    Corey Medina & Bros.
    Dessa
    Kathleen Edwards
    Langhorne Slim
    Sarah Jarosz
    SG Goodman
    Shakey Graves
    Shemekia Copeland
    Shovels & Rope
    Superior Siren
    Wild Horses
    Yonder Mountain String Band

    91.7 KAXE Mississippi Riverfest
    Actual Wolf
    Alison Scott
    Bad Bad Hats
    Bill Kirchen
    Bill Miller
    Bones & Beeker
    Cafe Accordion Orchestra

  • Carrie Rodriguez
    Chris Smithers
    Clawthroat
    Conga Se Menne
    Crankshaft & The Gear Grinders
    David Wax Museum
    Dawg Yawp
    Eilen Jewell
    Erik Koskinen
    Esso Afrojam Funkbeat
    Faith Boblett
    Haley
    Hot Club of Cowtown
    Humbird
    Jacob Mahon
    Jess Klein
    Jim and Kristi Miller
    Keri Noble
    Kerri Powers
    Kevin Bowe + The Okemah Prophets
    Kevin Gordon
    Kitchi Boogie
    Lindsay Beaver
    Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles
    Luke Winslow-King
    Lydia Loveless
    Mary Gauthier
    Matt Ray and Those Damn Horses
    Mayda
    Melvin Taylor and The Slack Band
    Miss Tess and the Talkbacks
    Mother Truckers

  • Not Necessarily Bluegrass
    Paul Thorn
    Reverend Raven the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys
    Roe Family Singers
    Hans Blix and the Weapons Inspectors
    Har Mar Superstar
    Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank
    Roma di Luna
    Sena Ehrhardt
    Shannon Curfman
    Shel
    Sick of Sarah
    Siucra
    Slaid Cleaves
    Smooth Hound Smith
    Steve Kaul & The Brass Kings
    Stone Coyotes
    Sugar on the Roof
    The 4onthefloor
    The Brothers Burn Mountain
    The Christopher David Hanson Band
    The Jimmys
    The Lamant Cranston Band
    The Lowest Pair
    The Mother Truckers
    Them Coulee Boys
    Tree Party
    Trent Romens
    Us
    Whitehorse
    Willie Murphy
    Y La Bamba

Group of people dancing and enjoying an outdoor concert, with raised hands and expressions of excitement.
Musicians performing on stage with colorful graffiti background, woman with maracas and man playing congas.
Two people dancing joyfully at an outdoor event, with spectators watching in the background. The woman wears a colorful poncho.
Band performing on stage with musicians playing guitar, drums, and keyboard, under a tent, energetic atmosphere.
Musician playing a sitar and singing into a microphone, wearing a black hat and sunglasses, with colorful mural background.
Band performing live on stage with guitars and drums.
A woman playing bongos and a man playing drums at a music festival. The woman is wearing a blue shirt with an octopus design and sunglasses. The man is also wearing sunglasses and a black hat. Colorful background.
Two dancers performing tribal belly dance; wearing elaborate costumes with coins and accessories.
Woman playing electric guitar on stage with colorful mural background.
Female guitarist and singer performing on stage with electric guitar
Live band performing on stage under a tent with colorful backdrop and lighting.
Two people dancing with a colorful scarf outdoors, surrounded by a group of seated and standing spectators in a park.
A live band performing on stage with colorful lights and psychedelic backdrop while people watch and dance.
Man playing a red electric guitar on stage, smiling, wearing a black shirt, with a microphone and stage equipment in background.
Person with glasses and hat speaking into a microphone
Outdoor gathering with people and a large blue puppet labeled 'Mississippi' in a park setting.
Person playing a violin on stage, with colorful background and microphone on chest.
A female musician with curly hair and a star on her cheek, playing a mandolin and wearing a top hat, performing on stage.
Outdoor concert with crowd and musicians on stage under an illuminated tent canopy.
A passionate musician singing and playing the keyboard during a live outdoor performance, with additional band members playing instruments in the background.
Musicians playing banjo and guitar on stage during a live performance.
Group of people dancing under a tent at an outdoor event, including children and adults in colorful summer clothing.
Band performing live at a concert with an enthusiastic audience cheering under a tent. The drummer is visible in the foreground, and the guitarist is raising his instrument overhead.
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone, the other playing a bass guitar. The background has a colorful mural and drums. The setting appears to be a concert or music festival.

Join KAXE for a day of music that truly matters to the spirit.

Tickets Coming Soon