“Are you ready to get KahBanged?” This was a question asked repeatedly by the event’s MC, and one to which fans responded with a resounding, “Yes!” The KahBang Festival is in its third year and starting to gain some much deserved attention. The music festival on August 12th and 13th marked the final two days of a week of events and activities dedicated to showcasing fresh talents in music, film, and art. The 2011 event continued the festival’s signature blend of big name acts and homegrown artists spread over three stages on the Bangor, Maine waterfront.

After a lyrically creative and heavily bass-driven performance by Atmosphere, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals performed on the main stage. With swiveling hips and Janis Joplin-esque vocals, Potter had fans in a frenzy. As spotlights flooded the stage, her energy never dwindled and each song became an epic, sprawling anthem riddled with lengthy solos and pounding beats.

Potter’s performance was the perfect way to prepare for the intensity of the night’s headliner, Lupe Fiasco. After a few minor technical difficulties — as the fans’ anticipation built to a breaking point — the hip-hop star blew onto the stage kicking things off with the hit “Shining Down.” He favored his newest album, performing tracks including “State Run Radio” and “The Show Goes On,” but gave fans a taste of the old with an impressive rendition of “Kick, Push.” Fiasco lived up to his name, and after a thoroughly riveting performance, left fans reeling.

The blinding energy of the night was preceded by a long day of music from dozens of local and national acts. The blend of hip-hop, folk, rock, and indie and punk was impressive. DOM took the YOU stage at 4:30 in the afternoon and proved be an excellent shot of adrenaline. They played a great set of seasoned tracks and singles from their new EP Family of Love. Prof, a Minneapolis-based rapper, rocked the Everyone Else We Know Stage, and Blueprint overtook the festival with contagious beats and bass so loud it echoed across the waterfront.

Jeff Beam, Dean Ford, and Huak were among those representing the musical talent that lies here in Vacationland on the ME Stage, run by Maine music publication, Dispatch. Ford was driving with flashy art house style, catchy hooks, and clever song concepts, including the tale of a man killed for using his guitar playing abilities to attract women. Huak brought back the days of homegrown garage-punk with fast tempos and violent guitar riffs in a refreshingly original manner.

The first day ended on the waterfront just after 11 PM, and fans were chomping at the bit for day two, which proved to be just as exciting as the first. The music started early Saturday afternoon with Endless Speeches on the Everyone Else We Know stage and another local act, John Nels, on the ME Stage. As the music began to flood the air and wash over the waterfront, fans poured in to find their favorite stage, musical act, food vendor, and lawn seat.

Writtenhouse and The Infinities delighted fans at the ME Stage, the festival’s Mecca for independent music, which once again supplied a superior mix of artists, further displaying Maine’s musically charged underbelly. But it wasn’t until four in the afternoon that that the YOU stage got rocking. Surfer Blood set the laid-back summer vibe that engulfed the days’ festivities with their sunshine-infused indie rock, and Lady Lamb the Beekeeper wowed fans with stunning vocals. They prepped the crowd for another night of excellent headliner performances.

Nearly 3,000 people came out to see Chromeo and My Morning Jacket wrap up the week-long fest. My Morning Jacket played sans drummer (Patrick Hallahan had had an allergic reaction earlier in the day and was unable to perform) but still successfully performed their signature Southern rock n’ roll soul style. The gang was happy just to be on stage and honored to be part of an event working to bridge the gap between big label power bands and organically grown, small-town locals.