What is the Mile of Music?


The Mile of Music is an annual 4-day music festival held in Appleton, WI.  Started in 2013, each year of the festival increments an additional 'mile,' so 2023 will be celebrating Mile 10.  The artists that perform are typically up-and-coming artists who only play original music at the festival. Sets tend to be about an hour long, and they are hosted throughout the approximate 1-mile stretch of downtown Appleton on College Avenue at various coffee shops, bars, restaurants and parks.  A wide range of musical genres have been represented, including: rock, country, jazz, folk,  hip hop and circus punk.  Some performers come from the local area, such as Kyle Megna and The Monsoons.  Others are more regional performers, like Bascom Hill.  But many performers come from across the country, and have performed on multiple 'Miles', such as Chestnut Grove, The Quiet Hollers and Jamie Kent. Repeat bands often feel famous during the four days of the festival, leading Jamie Kent to write his song 'Famous (in Appleton)'.  In conjunction with the music festival, an annual supported bike ride was launched called Bike to the Beat.  Riders can stop at several locations along routes of various distances to get refreshments and hear performers from the festival.