The Common Roots Festival Is Coming Back To St Cloud This August

I've spent a lot of years behind a microphone.

Not just on the radio, but behind a piano, singing songs that I hoped would connect with people.

That's one of the reasons I love what the Common Roots Festival is all about, and it will be here soon!

PUTTING YOUR HEART ON THE LINE

As a singer and songwriter myself, I know how much courage it takes to step onto a stage and perform music that you created.

Playing a cover song is one thing. Sharing something you wrote from your own heart is something completely different. You're inviting people into your story, and that's not always easy.

That's why I'm excited to see the lineup for this year's Common Roots Festival, kicking off Thursday, August 20th through Saturday, August 22nd, 2026.

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CENTRAL MINNESOTA COMMON ROOTS FESTIVAL

The festival celebrates original, independent music and gives local and regional artists a chance to do what they love while introducing audiences to songs they won't hear anywhere else.

DON'T MISS THE KICKOFF EVENT - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5TH

It all begins with Common Roots 'Tending for a Cause' on Wednesday, August 5TH, at Beaver Island Brewing Company, featuring 'Red Eye Ruby'.

The celebration continues with the popular Common Roots Variety Show on Thursday, August 20th, on the Red Carpet Main Stage, before two full days of live music take over downtown St. Cloud on August 21st and 22nd.

A FULL WEEKEND OF MUSIC IN DOWNTOWN ST CLOUD

If you've never experienced Common Roots before, imagine spending an evening wandering through downtown, walking into one venue after another and hearing musicians who have poured countless hours into writing, rehearsing and perfecting songs that are uniquely their own 

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HOW DOES IT WORK?

You can help support local, Central MN musicians by purchasing a limited-edition Common Roots button and/or t-shirt at Common Roots events. It's my understanding that if you have your button on at the various venues, you can find great deals at each location.

THIS YEAR'S PERFORMERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN

This year's lineup includes:

• Steve Goldstein
• Jeff Ray
• Nate Ness
• Rickie
• Simple Motions
• Eric Hagen
• JoJo Green
• Side Saddle Sirens
• Glen Helgeson
• Allison Sounds
• Witness Trips
• Skarlett Woods
• Demolition Means Progress
• Her & The Villain
• The Quantum Mechanics
• The Morning Kings
• BlurCurve
• ELOUR
• Heed The Warning
• Timisarocker
• Granite City Jazz Trio
• Pullstring
• Rachel Beringer
• Nash Foster
• Ben Vogel
• Brother John
• Celeste Yeats
• Kyle Gray Young
• St. Rangers
• Jesse Eugene
• Wild Residence
• ShugE
• Leslie Rich & The Rocket Soul Choir
• Bright Young Things
• Telestela
• Impossible Prom Kings
• Your Last Breath
• Bunny Blood
• The Scotch Rockets

LOCALLY GROWN TALENT

I know many of these artists have spent years playing small clubs, coffee shops, breweries, and community events simply because they love making music. Festivals like Common Roots give them a chance to reach new audiences while reminding all of us that some incredible talent lives right here in Minnesota.

So if you're looking for something different to do this August, I hope you'll check it out. You might discover your next favorite artist.

And if you've ever dreamed of writing a song yourself, you'll probably leave with a whole new appreciation for the people brave enough to share theirs.

THE COMPLETE LINEUP

You can see the complete schedule and lineup of where you can see each performer at CommonRootsFest.com.