Review: 311 Rocks the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival

Awesome Show at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival

Harriet Island in St. Paul for the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, and day three, July 20th, was the one I was waiting for. The sun was beating down, the crowd was buzzing, and then 311 hit the stage. I’d heard they were solid live, but had never seen it firsthand. Total blast. It felt like they were just hanging out with us, cranking out tunes that had everyone moving.

The band’s been around forever, since the late ’80s, but they don’t act like it. They formed in Omaha, Nebraska—Nick Hexum and the guys grew up there in the ’70s, jamming in garages and stuff. Started as a little crew, Nick on vocals and guitar, pulling in his buddies. By 1990, they locked in the lineup and dropped their first album in ’91. They mixed rock with rap and reggae vibes, which was kinda weird back then, but it clicked. Blew up in the ’90s with that self-titled blue album in ’95—went triple platinum. They’ve kept touring, releasing records every couple years, hitting 35 years this year. No big drama, just steady grinding and good music. Fans stick around ’cause it’s fun, not flashy.

They opened with “Beautiful Disaster,” and right away, you could feel the energy. Nick’s voice is still strong, Chad on drums just pounding away like it’s no big deal. The crowd lost it on “All Mixed Up”—that one’s a classic, gets you jumping. They threw in “Amber,” smooth as ever, and “Down,” which had the whole place singing along. “Come Original” kept the rap-rock flow going, and that drum solo from Chad? Killer, had everyone cheering. It wasn’t some over-the-top spectacle; it was tight, fun, like a backyard party that got huge. The heat was rough, but they powered through, sweating it out with us. By the end, with “Unity,” it felt like we’d all been friends for years. Awesome show, no doubt—left me grinning and ready to spin their stuff all summer.

Notable songs? Yeah, they’ve got a bunch that stick. “Amber” from 2001, that chill reggae-rock hit. “Down” off the blue album, super catchy. “All Mixed Up” from their debut, total earworm. “Beautiful Disaster” always fires up a crowd. And “Come Original,” with that positive vibe. They’ve got 13 albums, so plenty more, but those are the ones that pop up on playlists.

Band Members

• Nick Hexum – vocals, rhythm guitar
• SA Martinez – vocals, DJ
• Tim Mahoney – lead guitar
• Chad Sexton – drums
• P-Nut – bass

Verified Setlist

• Beautiful Disaster
• Come Original
• Sunset in July
• You’re Gonna Get It
• All Mixed Up
• You Wouldn’t Believe
• Lovesong
• Do You Right
• Unity
• I’ll Be Here Awhile

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