By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

The sound of music will once more fill Allegheny Commons as the Northside Music Festival is set to return on July 12-14, featuring a line up of around 70 bands both local and from out of town.

This is the second year the event is operating under the name Northside Music Festival, having previously existed as the Deutschtown Music Festival. The free event will also feature an artists’ market and multiple food trucks.

“A lot of people and some of our bands have stated that it is their favorite weekend of the year,” said Ben Soltesz, lead organizer of the festival.

The event will, for the most part, be similar in structure to the inaugural version of the Northside Music Festival. Whereas the Deutschtown Music Festival had grown to feature around 400 bands, Soltesz said the festival is keeping with the scaled back 70 bands, allowing for more attention on each participating act.

“That worked really well,” he said. “People who came were really appreciative of the focus on the music.”

There are two primary stages for the festival: One at Foreland Street, the other at Allegheny City Brewing. In addition, bands will perform at various local venues, such as Fat Cat restaurant at 520 East Ohio St. and The Government Center at 716 East St., as well as street performances around the festival.

One change is to the Gospel Sunday program presented on the last day of the festival. Traditionally held only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this year’s program will be expanded with a second performance from 6 to 8 p.m.

Soltesz said the reason for this expansion was because many local churches wanted to take part, but were usually holding their Sunday services during the morning program. The Gospel Sunday show is organized by Allegheny Center Alliance Church.

The festival is designed to be easily walkable for participants, with Soltesz noting the farthest someone might have to walk would be to the Allegheny Elks Lodge on Cedar Ave.

As for the bands, Soltesz said he aims for a “diverse lineup,” careful to balance acts from the Pittsburgh area and those from further away. Some local bands include Forestry Division and Melt, while some out-of-towner acts include Angela Perley, from Columbus, Ohio; and Handsome Jack, from Lockport, New York.

“We just give you a great schedule to keep seeing things all day long,” Soltesz said. Northside Music Festival kicks off at 6 p.m. on July 12. Music will begin at noon on July 13 and 10 a.m. on July 14.

For more information, or to see the full lineup, visit northsidemusicfestival.com