Live Review: Nelsonville Music Festival 2024

Coming in under the wire with a review 3-4 months in the making, I'm happy to finally share my Nelsonville Music Festival experience as both journalist and photographer for the first time. Thanks for everyone's patience, kind words of encouragement, and even some photo editing help. Happy Rocktober everyone! -Casey Nelsonville Music Festival is it. It's the one we look forward to all year. Nestled in the heart of Ohio, NMF is a pilgrimage for true music lovers, where your ticket goes beyond entry. Proceeds directly support the preservation of the historic Stuart’s Opera House, a legendary Ohio venue and cultural gem whose visitors and fans include both artists who have adorned the hallowed halls of Stuart's Opera House and those who embrace the spirit of its keepers. Beyond its community impact, NMF is a best-kept secret on the festival circuit, known for showcasing an eclectic mix of up-and-coming artists, international headliners, and established legends that cater to every sonic craving. Trust me: if you haven't been before, you'll want to go and if you already have been, you'll want to go again and again.

This year, the musical offerings were as diverse as they were electrifying. Here’s a brief look at some standout acts:

Amyl and the Sniffers

The hardest working rock ‘n’ roll band on the planet right now. Amy Taylor leads with ferocity, giving us the raw, relentless energy that reminds you what punk rock is supposed to feel like. They’re untouchable in terms of sheer, unhinged force. You can check out more coverage (and more photos and gifs) of Amyl and The Sniffers here and here.

La Lom

These brilliant musicians weave a rich tapestry of surf-rock and latin music-inspired groove, rhythm, and soul, pulling from the heart of L.A. Comprised of guitarist Zac Sokolow, bassist Jake Faulkner, and percussionist Nicholas Baker, La LOM kept their cool and the hot licks and infectious grooves going almost non-stop through their mid-afternoon summer set (and looked really cool doing it).Their instrumental set was like being invited to a block party and stumbling onto amazing music you've never heard before and can't get enough of now. It was pure, simmering and did I mention the grooves? Blending Chicha, cumbia and sweet rhythms that demanded movement. This is music you can listen to anywhere, and music you can feel everywhere.

Spoon Benders

This L.A./Portland quartet is still cutting their teeth, but their blend of dark, alluring and doomy psychedelic garage rock shows they’re well on their way. There’s a balance between gentle and destructive, genuine yet aloof, as if they play on the cusp of something grand. Keep an eye on their trajectory.

Sheer Mag

Dirty, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll with a feminist edge, Sheer Mag makes a statement and pile drives the cis-male rocker stereotype into the ground. Led by an explosive female vocalist Tina Halliday, who channels post-70s Classic Rock, they’re a force that commands attention—on or off the rails.

The Nude Party

Imagine Lou Reed fronting The Rolling Stones in 1972, and you’ve got The Nude Party. Swagger, attitude, and undeniable groove define their set, filled with the kind of vintage rock that feels both familiar and refreshing.

Bob Mould

A man of myth and legend, Bob Mould is the alternative rock architect responsible for your favorite band's existence (and probably their favorite band, too). His catalog of songs from Hüsker Du, Sugar, and his solo work alike is as dense and deep as it is timeless and awesome, This is one legend whose performance lived up to every ounce of hype. The show with just one man, one guitar, and an amp—was a transfixing journey through decades of alt-rock brilliance. Something I Learned Today, See a Little Light, If I Can't Change Your Mind, and Siberian Butterfly were just a few of the certified classics the audience was treated to. Whether delivering those classics or dipping into the deep cuts, his personal and passionate performance drew everyone in. A true icon, baring it all on stage and proving that with great songs, all you need is a guitar, an amp, and your voice - and it helps if you're Bob Mould.

Snööper

Snööper was an explosion of frenetic energy, with band members bouncing, thrashing, and jumping in jumpsuits and sweating in sweats. They were totally engrossing—an out-of-this-world blend of weird, cool, and completely awesome sounds. With oversized stage pieces, whistles, horns, lights, drums, synths, and guitars, it was a fun and chaotic mix of punk show and performance art complete with paper mache masks and costume changes.

Egg punk at its finest.

NMF24 was, once again, proof that Nelsonville is not just a festival; it’s an experience. Make sure you’re there next year—Ohio’s best music festival just keeps getting better.

Editor’s Note: As much as I’d love this to be my day job, it’s not and finding the time to finish this in between all that middle aged suburban dad life entails was not easy. My greatest thanks to the very patient Jordan at NMF and the entire staff and amazing volunteers that make this festival so amazing. Additionally, although I’ve stepped in to the photo pit in the past, this time out, I was pulling double duty as both writer and photographer. Professional photographers (whether on paid assignment or not) work very hard and the experience has given me a newfound respect and awestruck admiration for them all.