Norman Music Festival Blows Away Attendance Expectations
Bolstered by amazing weather and a constant stream of live music on multiple stages, the second annual Norman Music Festival far exceeded organizers’ attendance expectations. Officials estimated that by 6 p.m. Saturday, the free festival on Norman’s Main Street had reached the previous year’s total attendance of 15,000, well on track to an estimated 25,000 by the end of the evening.
Festival publicist Quentin Bomgardner said the biggest surprise of the day came when the festival’s opening acts, such as the first main stage performer El Paso Hot Button, were greeted with large and appreciative crowds at noon.
“Our simple expectations were that it would be bigger and better, and we’re seeing that,” Bomgardner said. “I was very, very thrilled with the crowds that were out for our earliest performers. Everyone has had a crowded day, and the audiences have been rewarded with great performances.”
Crowds continued to build throughout the afternoon for bands on all 10 stages as local groups such as Student Film, Sherree Chamberlain Band, Norman’s Starlight Mints and Stillwater’s Other Lives shared festival time with San Francisco’s Sugar and Gold and the headlining band from Athens, Ga., Of Montreal. Some local musicians like Justin Rice of Student Film said the juxtaposition of local bands with national acts was a golden opportunity for exposure.
“It’s a great thing for local bands, bands like us that are trying to get attention and get people to listen to our music,” Rice said.
“Good God — I’m a little overstimulated right now with everything going on,” said Aron Holt of the Norman roots-rock band Mama Sweet, which played at 6 p.m. at the Sooner Theatre. “I knew it was going to be big the second year, but I had no idea. It’s very exciting — it’s great to be a part of it.”
These sentiments were echoed by Of Montreal multi-instrumentalist James Husband. He said the band has played Norman multiple times over the last decade, often with local acts such as Starlight Mints, and that the spectacle of the Norman Music Festival is in keeping with the band’s experiences in the city.
“There’s always a story to tell,” Husband said. “It’s not like a stop where you just come through — you were in Norman.”
Norman Music Festival — All Day, All Night, In Stereo
11:43 a.m. I’m at the Second Annual Norman Music Festival in Downtown Norman, and so far the crowds are about three times as big as they were at this time last year. There’s plenty of room to wander for now, but it should get tight later — it’s possible that attendance could reach 25,000 this year.
As soon as NewsOK.com and Wimgo get the live feed up, you’ll be able to watch the festival live here — or at least that’s the plan. Of Montreal headlines — come down here now, stay for the day, get exhausted and fully entertained.
12:05 p.m. Everyone talks about how amazing it is that Mickey Reese, aka El Paso Hot Button, can make such an extraordinary full-band racket all by his lonesome, but Reese also has an amazing, wailing rock ‘n’ roll vocal range to go with his extraordinary chops. He’s the first one on the main stage, and the crowd is multiplying like a hipster math club.
1:06 p.m. Student Film’s new material from Generator Operator Destroyer sounds superb on the Main Stage — the band will be the next performers on Static this Friday. This festival is already massive — the crowd at 1 p.m. is roughly what it was at 6 p.m. last year. I’m guessing that we’re going to have 25 to 30 grand this year, and maybe closer to that top end. It’s windy as hell, but beyond that, it’s perfect.
2:06 p.m. The Absolute just did an exceedingly loud and cool-to-match cover of “She Don’t Use Jelly.” By all means, check out the live feed at the top of the page, but come down here if you can. History in the making: a free live festival that runs like clockwork, and in a few years, NMF will be as big as Dfest.
3:32 p.m. Sherree Chamberlain played a beautiful set — including “Bird Song” — and is currently working on her new disc. She offered a different and appreciated dimension to the NMF main stage.
Flaming Lips Denied Oklahoma Rock Song in House Vote, But Then ZAIREEKA!
A resolution in the state House to make the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” the official rock song for the state of Oklahoma was voted down today. House members voted 48-39 to approve, but did not have the requisite 51 votes to pass.
More to follow. But…
UPDATE!!!!
From the Governor’s Office:
Oklahoma City — Gov. Brad Henry will sign an executive order Tuesday, April 28, naming the Flaming Lips song, “Do You Realize??,” as the official rock song of Oklahoma.
In a statewide Internet vote held late last year, that song was the choice of 51 percent of more than 21,000 votes cast. Senate Joint Resolution 24 sought to codify that vote, but was narrowly defeated.
“For more than 20 years ago, Oklahoma’s own Flaming Lips have produced creative, fun and provocative rock music,” Gov. Henry said.
“The music of the Flaming Lips has earned Grammys, glowing critical acclaim and fans all over the world. A truly iconic rock ‘n’ roll band, they are proud ambassadors of their home state.
“They were clearly the people’s choice, and I intend to honor that vote.”
The signing of the executive order will held at 2 p.m. April 28 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
New York Dolls and the Donnas play the Diamond
The New York Dolls (!) and The Donnas will play OKC at 7 p.m. June 2 at the Diamond Ballroom. This is a great opportunity to see David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain, two of the architects of domestic glam rock.
And the Donnas go without saying, and yet I did.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. You want to go to there.
Random 10 for April 23, 2009
1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Zero.” A perfectly majestic synth-rock anthem to herald Karen O and Co.’s stylistic evolution on It’s Blitz! Sure, there will be many people who will miss the old spastic and noisy caterwaul, doing that forever seems out of character for this band.
2. William Shatner, “Has Been.”
3. RevCo, “Physical.”
4. Ben Lee, “Catch My Disease.”
5. The Streets, “Fit But You Know It.” The sound of Skinner spinning his wheels for a moment — sort of his Show Your Bones. My, how the young man changed of late — doesn’t make the chavs happy, but so be it.
6. Elbow, “My Very Best.”
7. Ben Folds, “B—— Ain’t S—.”
8. M.I.A., “Bingo.”
9. Radiohead, “Myxomatosis.”
10. Lene Lovich, “New Toy.” A masterwork by one of Karen O’s spiritual godmothers.
Video of the Day: The Horrors, “Sea Within a Sea”
If Echo and the Bunnymen doesn’t hurry up and release The Fountain, every other band in England is going to beat them to it.
Video of the Day: M83, “We Own the Sky”
Anthony Gonzalez continues to make gorgeous songs that just beg for John Hughes to come out of seclusion and make a movie around them. In this installment, teenagers straight from a CW casting call get descended upon by giant white boxes from outer space. Friendly giant white boxes? Tune in to find out.
Random 10 for April 22, 2009
1. Lily Allen, “The Fear”
I tried resisting George’s brainwashing tactics as much as I could, but the last record finally turned me into a committed Lilliputian. Infectious melody, razor-sharp lyrics and loaded with attitude. What’s not to be entranced by?
2. The Fiery Furnaces, “Oh, Sweet Woods”
3. The Mull Historical Society, “The Final Arrears”
4. The Specials, “Nite Klub”
5. X, “The World’s a Mess, It’s in My Kiss”
I’m not really certain why this percolating, ultra-caffeinated punk gem is so powerful and weirdly relevant, but there yah have it. The clip, incidentally, is from the 1986 documentary, X: The Unheard Music.
6. Professor Longhair, “How Long Has That Train Been Gone?”
7. The Go-Go’s, “Turn to You”
Go ahead and smirk if you must. I make no apologies. Oh, and trivia buffs, take note: the video features a young Rob Lowe about a year before stardom really hit with …About Last Night– and a good three years before his sexcapades in a hotel room at the Democratic National Convention.
8. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “Good Loving Ain’t Easy to Come By”
9. Camper Van Beethoven, “Une Fois”
10. Bruce Springsteen, “Downbound Train”
– Chase
Dfest Lineup Announced
Living up to its name and then some with a wide-ranging roster for this year’s event, Tulsa’s Diversafest announced the lineup for its 8th annual music conference, including headlining act, The Black Crowes.
During this morning’s announcement at Tulsa’s Dilly Deli, co-founder Angie Devore Green said the 164 acts signed for the July 24-25 event in Tulsa’s Blue Dome District is “the most music we’ve ever showcased.”
In addition to the Black Crowes, the band led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, this year’s Dfest will feature Latin hip-hop jazz consortium Ozomatli, alternative hip-hop band The Knux, Dub Trio, Blue October, Russian-American alternative band Gogol Bordello, Citizen Cope, Bassnectar, Gringo Star, Norman’s The Uglysuit, Rachelle Van Zanten, Joe Pug, Gil Mantera’s Party Dream, DJ Rekha, Bill Hamel, Delta Spirit and Stillwater’s Other Lives.
Organizers predict attendance will top 70,000 at the July festival, with music being performed at 14 different stages, including the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Capella’s, Flytrap Music Hall, Dilly Deli, Temple, El Guapo’s, Blank Slate, Blue Dome Diner, Dirty’s Tavern, NcNellie’s, Joe Momma’s Pizza and Exit 6C, as well as two large outdoor stages. Devore Green said many more acts will be added to the roster between now and May 8.
For more information, go to there.
Random 10 for April 21, 2009
1. Micachu and the Shapes, “Lips.” Mica Levy is a 22-year-old Brit doing that freakout atonal shuffle that made Stump so annoying and wonderful 20 years ago. Hers is a hairstyle that needs to come back, though I don’t know if I can pull it off anymore.
2. Brookville, “Talk Again.”
3. Otis Redding, “Ole Man Trouble.”
4. Ravens & Chimes, “January.”
5. King Khan and BBQ Show, “Fish Fight.”
6. Hatcham Social, “So So Happy Making.” This London band recently released its debut disc, You Dig the Tunnel, I’ll Hide the Soil, produced by Tim Burgess of the Charlatans. And yes, it sounds just like that information implies.
7. LCD Soundsystem, “Time To Get Away.”
8. Beck, “The Horrible Fanfare.”
9. Bettye LaVette, “Sleep To Dream.”
10. 3rd Bass, “The Gas Face.” MF Doom makes one of his earliest appearances on this song, but as his earlier nom de rap, Zev Love X.
