Launched in 2017 by music lover Val Haller, the Winnetka Music Festival grew from the same instinct that inspired her to start Valslist (valslist. com) in ’07: helping busy adults discover great new music through human curation. Ten years in, the homegrown fest has become a community-powered weekend built around emerging artists, standout headliners and an inviting all-ages experience. As Haller prepares to welcome acts like Trombone Shorty, Grace Potter and Father John Misty to this year’s event, the longtime Winnetka resident and grandmother of seven gives NS the behind-the-scenes scoop. June 19-20, downtown Winnetka, winnetkamusicfestival.com
What makes the Winnetka Music Festival special? There’s a real human touch behind the curation: Every artist is thoughtfully selected by our team at Valslist in collaboration with our partner, SPACE Evanston. Our mission has always been to introduce exceptional emerging artists who are just beginning to gain traction. But perhaps the most defining element is the overall fan experience. We pride ourselves on creating an environment that delights the casual music fan while still impressing even the most discerning listener.
What have been a few of your “wow” moments from the festival? Even from year one, I was struck by the level of trust we received from booking agents and artists. They recognized Valslist as an artist-first organization—and that we would take exceptional care of the people on our stages. Another wow moment for me every year is watching young kids at the fest with their parents, or with friends on their own, a very “big kid” moment for them to see live music in a neighborhood setting. Last, wow moments for me are booking new bands I’m obsessed with, and getting to share them with [the community].
What are you most excited about in this year’s lineup? This year, I’m especially excited about Grace Potter. She is an extraordinary talent with a long and evolving career. I’m also thrilled to welcome home New Trier grad Peter Martin (aka Petey USA). Bringing a hometown artist back to his hometown stage is, to me, a perfect moment. And of course, having Father John Misty on the lineup is a major highlight.
Who is your dream act for the festival and why? To me, the dream is booking an act that makes everyone say, “I can’t believe they’re playing in our town!” It’s that collective moment of surprise and excitement across generations.
Where do you hope to see the festival in 10 years? I hope it’s still going strong, and drawing people from all over the country to experience our beautiful Village. I also hope it becomes widely recognized as the premier boutique music festival in the Midwest—one that artists are eager to play because of the experience we create.
