A Thrilling Set from Mike Kota at Minnesota Yacht Club Festival

A Local Star Shines Bright on the River

It’s a warm July afternoon in 2025, and the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is humming to life along the banks of the Mississippi in St. Paul. Harriet Island Regional Park is filling up with festival-goers spreading out blankets and cracking open cold drinks as the first acts take the stage. Another Minnesota local, singer-songwriter Mike Kota, steps up next on July 18, her red hair catching the sunlight like a beacon. This is her biggest crowd yet—several hundred fans gathered, a far cry from the intimate Twin Cities venues she’s used to—and you can feel the buzz of excitement as she straps on her guitar, her quartet of fellow Minnesotans right behind her.

From the opening notes of “Rift,” Kota’s distinctive alto voice cuts through the air, raw and soulful, drawing everyone in like a heartfelt conversation at a backyard barbecue. She’s got that effortless stage presence, chatting with the audience between songs as if they’re all old friends sharing stories by the river. The band—tight and energetic—lays down a groove that’s equal parts indie rock and introspective folk, making the set feel both intimate and expansive. As “Green Lights” rolls out next, the crowd starts nodding along, the lyrics about chasing dreams hitting just right under the open sky.

Things get even more entertaining midway through when Kota brings out her friend for a special moment. With a grin, she hands over the guitar, and he picks it up with a violin bow, sliding across the strings to create these haunting, ethereal swells that send shivers through the audience. It’s a simple trick, but oh, what a thrill— the sound is otherworldly, blending rock edge with classical flair, and the cheers erupt as they jam it out. You can’t help but smile at the pure joy of it, a reminder that live music is all about those unexpected sparks of magic.

The energy builds through “Alone, Omen 3” and a cover of Nirvana’s “In Bloom,” where Kota’s voice adds a fresh, vulnerable twist to the grunge classic. Then “Boy” brings a tender sway, her lyrics peeling back layers of emotion that resonate with the sunny afternoon vibe. As the set nears its close, the mood shifts to something deeper. For her finale, “Corner,” Kota shares a poignant message straight from the heart: reach out to your loved ones, no matter what rifts or hurts linger between you, and just get over it. It’s a call to connection in a world that often pulls us apart, delivered with such sincerity that the crowd falls quiet, then applauds with a warmth that lingers. Clocking in around 30 minutes, her performance is a perfect festival gem—leaving everyone uplifted and humming her tunes as they wander toward the next stage.

In a sea of big-name headliners, moments like Kota’s remind you why these events thrive: discovering that next great local talent who feels like she’s singing just for you.

Band History

Mike Kota, the stage name of Minneapolis-born singer-songwriter Michaela Stein, kicked off her musical journey in high school leading the indie rock band Good Luck Finding Iris. After the group went on hiatus, she emerged as a solo artist, releasing her debut EP Rift in 2021, which showcased her thoughtful lyrics and soulful melodies blending indie, folk, and rock. Building momentum, she crowdfunded her 2023 album Turning a Corner, a pivotal release that marked personal growth and earned her spots in First Avenue’s Best New Bands showcase. By 2025, her sophomore full-length Through Fire dropped, exploring themes of resilience and relationships with even more depth. At 26, Kota has toured steadily, sharing bills with rising acts and honing her craft between the Twin Cities and Los Angeles, where she sometimes bases herself.

Current Members

• Mike Kota: vocals, rhythm guitar
• Guitar: lead guitar
• Bass: bass
• Drums: drums

Verified Setlist

1. Rift
2. Green Lights
3. Alone, Omen 3
4. In Bloom
5. Boy
6. Corner

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