History was made last weekend at Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival, which ran from June 26 through 28 at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams. On June 27, Wilco, the Breeders, and thousands of others gathered together to attempt to break the world record for most people yo-yoing at one time. The group of 5,000 succeeded, smashing the previous record of 2,036 individuals.
This year’s Solid Sound featured performances from the likes of Gang of Four, Billy Bragg, Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Sharp Pins, L’Rain. It marked the festival’s first edition since 2024, when Wednesday, Ratboys, and Water From Your Eyes counted among the artists on the bill. Beyond the music, Solid Sound also hosted a comedy cabaret, a screening previewing Mikael Jorgensen’s new film on Bob James, yoga, guided hikes, and more.
Although they may now be the most decorated, Jeff Tweedy and Kim Deal aren’t the only yo-yo-friendly indie rockers spinning out there today. Since 2024, longtime yo-yo devotee Faye Webster has hosted an invitational for the world’s best players in Atlanta. Although a 2026 date and location has yet to be announced, who knows? North Adams might make a pretty solid host city.