Nelsonville Music Fest 2018

What is the Nelsonville Music Fest

Hocking College, Nelsonville, OH, USA, June 1 to June 4, 2017

By Daniel Locke

 

The Nelsonville Music Festival is held at Robbins Crossing historic village on the campus of Hocking College located at: 3301 Hocking Parkway Nelsonville, OH 45764

The Nelsonville Music Festival took place May 31-June 3, 2018 in Nelsonville, Ohio featuring over 60 musical acts in four days on multiple stages along with on-site camping, artisan vendors, kids’ activities, food, a beer garden, and more. NMF is a presentation of Stuart’s Opera House, a non-profit historic theater and performing arts center in Nelsonville, Ohio. Billboard has called Nelsonville Music Festival “one of the best-kept secrets of the U.S. music festival circuit”, and in our 14th year, NMF continues to gain fans who want a music festival with a more personal experience.

Nelsonville has come and gone.  I am so sad.  It is funny.  This fest is known as the best hidden music festival in America. And more and more people find out about it every year.  And they come back year after year after year.  It is like a big family reunion.  Even the press love coming back year after year.  Because we are treated so good. And even through there is a lot going on. It is easy to see everything.  During the weekend-long festival, many of the bands will play more then once.  And each time they would play a different type of stage.  There are five stages.

• Main Stage- You have the main stage which is the type of stage you would see at the most music fest.

• Boxcar Stage- The next stage is actually an old box train boxcar.

• Porch Stage- The next stage is a small main type stage.

• No-Fi Cabin- The next stage is an old school room. And they perform inside the room. It holds maybe 40 people.  And this stage is always crowded.  The thing that really makes this stage is no electric.

 

• Gladden House Session-Which is run by WOUB Public Media from the Ohio University. It is a log cabin and they performed on the front porch of the cabin. These sessions are recorded and video record to later viewing.

• This year they have added new A mini skateboard ramp.  This is a proposal to build a Mini Ramp for NMF musicians and attendees. The Mini Ramp will also serve as a space for NMF mural artwork by attendees! The NMF Mini Ramp will be an essential addition to the festival, as it will provide performers and attendees with an alternative and unique activity! On Saturday one of the bands performed at the top of the ramp.

This year line up included GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNK// THE DECEMBERISTS// ANI DIFRANCO// THE BLACK ANGELS// TANK & THE BANGAS// THE WEATHER STATION// RIVER WHYLESS// WHITE MYSTERY.

In previous years the line up included:

2017

Emmylou Harris// Son Volt// Shannon and the Clams//  Ween //Jenny Lewis// Twin Peaks //Frazey Ford //Michael Hurley// honeyhoney// Sallie Ford// Margaret Glaspy// Aldous Harding// The Cactus Blossoms// They Might Be Giants //Rodriguez //Cloud Nothings//Sara Watkins // Sallie Ford

2016

ANDY NEWMAN  //  GILLIAN WELCH  //  COURTNEY BARNETT  //  MAC DEMARCO  //  TALLEST MAN ON EARTH  //  LAKE STREET DIVE  //  NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS  //  CHARLES BRADLEY  & HIS EXTRAORDINAIRES  //  BADBADNOTGOOD  //  ANGEL OLSEN  //  NIKKI LANE  /

2015

THE FLAMING LIPS  //  MERLE HAGGARD  //  ST. VINCENT  //  BRANDI CARLILE  //  TRAMPLED BY TURTLES  //  BUILT TO SPILL  //  MAVIS STAPLES  //  THE BLACK LIPS  //  LUCERO  //  THE BUDOS BAND  //  HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF  //  ELEPHANT REVIVAL  //  OBLIVIANS  //  GREG BROWN  //  MOON HOOCH  //  MANDOLIN ORANGE

2014

HE AVETT BROTHERS  //  DINOSAUR JR.  //  SHOVELS & ROPE  //   THE HEAD AND THE HEART  //   KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS  //  JASON ISBELL  //  FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS  //  VALERIE JUNE  //  RAY WYLIE HUBBARD  //  LUCIUS  //  SHAKEY GRAVES  //  QUILT  //  POKEY LAFARGE  //  ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES

2013

WILCO  //  CAT POWER  //  JOHN PRINE  //  GOGOL BORDELLO  //  MAVIS STAPLES  //  SHARON VAN ETTEN  //  CALEXICO  // JONATHAN RICHMAN  //  TIFT MERRITT  //  THE COUP  //  LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS  //  REIGNING SOUND  //  WILD BELLE  //  HE’S MY BROTHER, SHE’S MY SISTER  //  SCREAMING FEMALES  //

There is always something for the whole family to do. The Nelsonville Music Festival is fun for all ages and has a lot

of great activities planned for kids at NMF!  They worked with the Federal Hocking Schools Art and Drama Clubs, Sycamore Run Early Childhood Center, and more to create an incredible area. Past activities have included parades, making postcards, games, workshops, face painting, photo booth, making costumes/flags/puppets, youth Yoga, and more!

 

 

 

They do offer camping for those who would like to take it.    There are three different packages

$40

Camping Pass

• Campground opens Thursday, May 31st at 10:00 am
• Individual pass for weekend primitive camping
• Kids 15 and under are FREE
• No fee for passenger vehicles

$100

Motorhome Pass

• ELECTRIC MOTORHOME SPACES ARE SOLD OUT!
• Campground opens Thursday, May 31st at 10:00 am
• Spaces are roughly 20′ x 40′, enough room for the motorhome and a vehicle.
• Includes parking and electrical hook-up for an RV, motorhome, or large vehicle.
• Camping passes are required for each member of your party

$75

Motorhome – Non-Electric Spot

• Non-Electric Motorhome Spot, no electricity
• Campground opens Thursday, May 31st at 10:00 am
• Spaces are roughly 20′ x 40′, enough room for the motorhome and a vehicle.
• Includes parking for an RV, motorhome, or large vehicle.
• Camping passes are required for each member of your party

The nice thing about the camping is they do have hot showers.  And they are private also.  This is supplied by the Hocking College located in the swimming pool area.

At night they do offer live music in a tent.  And this range from a DJ to its own punk rock club.

This year The Nelsonville Music Festival has instituted a new safety policy, practices, and procedures in 2018,with the sole purpose to keep everyone safe. This year they only allowed clear bags clear backpacks and small clutch bags or fanny packs. The bags had to be clear plastic, clear vinyl or clear PVC, which do not exceed 13″ × 17″ in size (this includes CLEAR BACKPACKS under 13″ x 17″)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have included a photo gallery of the 4 days.  Please enjoy and next year check it out yourself.  Also, in the upcoming weeks, I will be giving a day to day report on the happens of this unique music festival.

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