Joining forces with the Student Union Board, Iowa State University’s own student radio station took the reins with their 2026 KURE Fest. This free event took place on Saturday, with Greg Freeman headlining and legendary Bugsy, Mr. Softheart and Kibble as support.
Power pop with an indie trance, Ames-based Kibble is perfect for fans of Dayglow; bright, indie pop with rock influences. They christened the stage for their accompanying bands, and most certainly got the crowd bumping their heads and tapping their feet. Bright with a shoegaze undertone, they were almost reminiscent of Turnstile, serving as a refreshing splash of sunshine in a cold, wintery Ames.
Their high energy was apparent from the moment they stepped on stage; as soon as the drummer put on his bucket hat and the lead vocalist took off his shoes, they were ready to rock. “Let’s rip it, boys,” Luke Aunan said as he started their set.
From the second they got on stage, Mr. Softheart transformed the room from the M-Shop to something else entirely. With stardom in their blood, the band was almost extraterrestrial with their EDM influences. Hypnotizing and riveting, they condensed space and time into sound, leaving the crowd in a trance. A combination of house vocals, ethereal feminine complements and masculine vocals, the band was reminiscent of The Sugarcubes, if they had a baby with The Garden. A kind of whimsical punk rock with street cred.
High energy and ready to go hard, Bugsy took the stage as if it belonged to them. Ready to go hard, the members had a Midwest twang with elements of Minnesota punk rock. True indie rock, they were similar to The Smiths if Morrissey were a spunky riot grrrl. Powerful vocals; the band mastered the art of deepening from loud and boisterous to incredibly high notes. They even managed to start a mosh pit and a howling session; their simultaneous feminine rage and whimsy made for an excellent set.
Experiencing Freeman live can be described in a variety of ways, but most accurately, as having the Alex G whine, with the nostalgia of folk punk and the yearning of Radiohead. His tracks are the soundtrack to a slow dance at the end of the world, with drums capable of dislodging a stadium or whispering to the bugs.
Freeman captures the indie rock rage, similar to bands like Modest Mouse and Car Seat Headrest; he had the crowd dancing and crying and dancing while crying. His music made life feel raw, his lyrics a scream for something more out of the world. With waves of intense post hardcore twang and indie yearning, he was definitely doing something rich, even if it can only be captured in ways words can’t quite reach.
KURE Fest is an annual event, so keep your eyes peeled for next year’s lineup. For now, you can catch Bugsy on their spring tour with Chicago’s Worry Club, and watch out for tour announcements and shows from the other bands featured at this weekend’s event.