- Fresh Find: Introducing Pharmacy Keys - April 8, 2020
- My First Bellwether Music Festival Experience - August 15, 2019
- Why the Nelsonville Music Festival is a unique experience - June 18, 2019
Because of the untimely downpour, the start of Nelsonville Music Festival 2018 might have been a challenge for some who drove into the campground. Many campers, cars and trucks got stuck in the mud and had to be towed. But that was no precedent for the next three and a half days, and it didn’t stop them and thousands of other NMF enthusiasts from experiencing another illustrious four-day party of listening to music in the hills of southeast Ohio. If you weren’t lucky enough to attend this year, here are the top five reasons all music-lovers should attend NMF next year.
The experience
Nelsonville Music Festival isn’t just a music festival. It’s an experience. Because most people camp on the festival grounds, you feel as if you are part of a community. This is your home for the next three or four days. You set up camp, wait for your friends to roll in, walk to the festival area, visit vendors, grab a bite to eat, go to the stage of your choice, make new friends and listen to good music.
The after-hours parties
Jam sessions, hula hoops, fire-juggling, bands playing music in the campgrounds tent… these are just a few of the reasons you should stop by one of the after-hours parties. Everyone is your friend at the party after the headliners finish their sets. Walk over to the campground area, and you will find friendly party people who are more than willing to make new friends, talk about good music and share some beers.
The skate ramp
New to NMF this year, the skate ramp was a popular attraction, offering a place for kids and grown-up kids to take a ride on the mini ramp, or even get a lesson. Athens band The D-Rays played lip-side on Saturday, while skaters crushed ollies, kickflips, kickturns, and got some backside/frontside grinds. The ramp also included a mural where attendees could leave their own touch of creativity by painting their own vision onto the mural. Also, visitors could screenprint their own t-shirts with a NMF skate logo. I hope to see this continue to grow.
The No-Fi Cabin
Tucked away from the main stage and porch stage is a small cabin called the No-Fi Cabin, which is the go-to spot for an intimate show that includes an interview with the band and an acoustic short set. It’s the place to go if you want to get up front and personal with your favorite band. Be sure to get there early, though, so you can get a seat.
The music
Nelsonville Music Festival isn’t a rock and roll festival. It’s not a country or a bluegrass festival. It’s not a punk rock, psychedelic rock, dream pop, acid rock or a folk festival. It’s all of the above. From NMF veteran folk singer Michael Hurley to sibling rock and roll duo White Mystery to country artist Colter Wall to local musicians the Worn Flints and Counterfeit Madison, there is something for everyone.
The true beauty of NMF is that you walk in with the intent of seeing certain bands, but you also have time to check out bands you haven’t heard, and those are the bands that you put on your playlist. This is why you should clear your calendar for next year’s festival. You won’t be disappointed.
Hope to see you next year at Nelsonville Music Festival 2019!
Sidebar: Bands you should check out:
- The Tune-Yards
- Middle Kids
- Wooden Shjips
- Colter Wall
- Sunflower Bean
- Ron Gallo
- Antibalas
- Eye
- White Mystery
- Counterfeit Madison
