The MODE Festival music lineup has landed, and it’s arriving alongside a whirlwind of photographic talent you’ll be bragging about seeing for years. 

Let’s start with the headliners: Vince Staples, Tycho, and Minnesota’s own Cory Wong will headline consecutive nights of the festival at Loring Park, backed up by openers Infinity Song and Washed Out with BALTHVS playing our Creator’s Stage right in the center of the MODE: HUB. If none of these names ring a bell, get out from under that rock and onto your favorite music platform and give your day some sweet new tunes, we’ll wait.

……. Back with a soundtrack? Excellent. 

In addition to musical performances every day of the festival (where cameras are encouraged) we’ve also added some big names to the photography roster. Matthew Rolston, Jonathan Mannion, Steve Sweatpants, and YK join our already star-studded lineup, including Sandro Miller, Chris Burkard, Brooke Shaden, and Penny De Los Santos. 

Here’s a sneak peek at some of our favorite programming highlights:

• A keynote event titled “Double Exposure: A Conversation with Sandro Miller and Matthew Rolston” that invites audiences into a rare exchange between two renowned portrait photographers, exploring shared influences, contrasting visual languages, and the role of portraiture in constructing identity. 
• Hands-on workshops and masterclasses led by Art Streiber and Andy Best, covering topics including commercial and editorial production, astrophotography, adventure filmmaking, and more. 

• A series of sessions with Da’Shaunae Marisa exploring experiential approaches to photography, such as tactile image-making, storytelling, and using the camera as a tool for personal expression. 
• Street photography workshops, conversations, and guided photo walks with Steven John Irby (Steve Sweatpants) including his “Street Eyes” walk through Minneapolis and a Street Dreams Magazine showcase centered on visual storytelling and creative community-building.

• A citywide street photography challenge led by YK, transforming Minneapolis into an interactive classroom. 

• A Jim Marshall Photography Exhibition presented by Amelia Davis, longtime assistant and estate holder of the legendary music photographer, featuring rare archival work spanning Woodstock, the Rolling Stones’ first American tour, and Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison.

• A three-part lighting masterclass series with Sandro Miller. 

• Skate photography workshops and photo walks led by Canon instructor and Skatefolio Co-Founder, Josh Katz, with hands-on shooting sessions at real skateboarding setups. 
• Career-focused conversations and gallery programming with music and celebrity photographer Ro.Lexx exploring commercial photography, life on tour, balancing motherhood and creativity, and representation for women in photography.

Early bird passes are officially sold out, but if you’re a Flickr member, you can get 15% off your Flickr Pro Interactive pass through June 12 with exclusive code FLICKRPERK15

MODE Festival is happening in the heart of Minneapolis, MN, September 18-20, 2026, and you won’t wanna miss year 1. We’ll see you there.

Get your pass at https://modefestival.com/

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