Neko Case headlines 19th annual Mission Creek Festival held April 4-6 in Iowa City

Iowa City's often anticipated spring music festival will be highlighted by a well-regarded songwriter and a garage-psych band.

While Iowa City might be a City of Literature and is a well-regarded hub in the literary scene, the local music scene is nearly as vibrant, and the 19th rendition of the Mission Creek Festival proves that.

The festival announced its 2024 lineup Friday, Dec. 8, revealing that ticket passes are also now available for purchase.

The annual celebration − running from April 4 through April 6 − is headlined by legendary songwriter Neko Case and longtime garage-psych band Osees, while emerging singer Indigo DeSouza and writer Hanif Abdurraqib will also help anchor the festival. More than 30 musicians and literary minds will band together across various venues, creating one of Iowa City's most unique annual events.

Mission Creek establishes deep roots

Mission Creek Festival aims to elevate and embrace independent voices in music and literature, closing the gap between the two closely related interests. The festival begins Thursday, April 4, with tickets on sale now.

"Every year, Mission Creek reminds us how special the arts venues and gathering spaces are in our community," said festival director Brian Johannesen in a release. "We are lucky to have such an independent, locally-driven scene, whether you're into books, music, or any other kind of artistic form."

The festival unfolds in downtown Iowa City, hosted at iconic, cozy locations like the esteemed Englert Theatre, Gabe's, and the newly refurbished Riverside Theatre. Festivities extend to the northern and southern edges of town, such as Trumpet Blossom Cafe, Hancher Auditorium, and The James Theater. Downtown retail shops and The Chauncey building will host literary events throughout the weekend.

Ticket Prices

Tickets will be released in tiers with Early Bird Full passes available from Dec. 8 to Jan. 11 and go for $95. Last Call Early Bird passes will be available from Jan.12 to Feb. 1 and go for $105. On Feb. 2, regular passes will be available for purchase and will cost $115; single-day passes will go for $55.

"We live in such a creative culture in the Iowa City area," said festival co-founder and artistic director Andre Perry in a press release. "So much is happening all the time that it's hard to keep up with work, life, and family. Mission Creek is a time to pause from our quotidian routines and take a moment to celebrate this place and the distinct joys of checking out the arts with your community."

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Lineup Highlights

Opening night on April 4 begins with a captivating reading and discussion featuring Hanif Abdurraqib, a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Genius Grant, who previously graced the festival in 2018. Presenting his latest book, "There’s Always This Year," Abdurraqib will talk with Tisa Bryant, a writer and professor from the University of Iowa’s esteemed Nonfiction Writing Program. Following Abdurraqib, the talented performer and arts curator Taja Cheek, also known as L’Rain, takes the stage to showcase her acclaimed new album, "I Killed Your Dog." The night culminates with a performance by Neko Case and her band. Regarded as one of our generation’s most celebrated songwriters, Case commemorates her extensive career with the release of her retrospective LP, "Wild Creatures."

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Indigo De Souza returns to The Englert stage on Friday, April 5, celebrating the release of their third studio album, All of This Will End. From folk-electronica, to dream pop, to neo-soul, Indigo converges a range of sound to create a distinct sonic landscape, with lyrics that are earnest and funny.

Headlining Saturday's lineup is San Francisco psych rock band, Osees (formerly known as OCS, The Oh Sees, and Thee Oh Sees). They have released 28 studio albums alongside several EPs, singles, and even a split with Iowa City songwriter, Paul Carey. The band’s leader, John Dwyer, is regarded as an institution of 21st century garage rock.

The ensemble tours extensively and is known for their energetic live shows featuring two full-kit drummers.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@presscitizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: 2024 Mission Creek Festival lineup features Neko Case, Osees