Chad Miller: Six Acts to Catch at The Nelsonville Music Fest 2024
By Chad Miller - Summit FM Music Director
Since way back in 2005, the Nelsonville Music Festival, founded by Stuart's Opera House, has been a recognized leader as one of the most successful and musically diverse annual music festivals in the country. Two years ago, over Labor Day weekend, was its first appearance in its current home at the Snow Fork Event Center camping site just outside of town. It was my first year attending as well, and I absolutely loved it. From the all the great artists performing over the weekend, to the beautiful surroundings of its new location, I kept saying to myself that as a music nerd and avid concert goer, why hadn't I ever been to this before?!
This year's Nelsonville Music Festival will make its return to the Snow Fork Event Center from July 26-28 and I'm so excited to get down there, take it all in, and see as much live music as I possibly can! Below are some of the acts I'm looking forward to seeing the most:
Who all is going? If so, who are YOU looking forward to seeing?? Check out the full lineup and more details here: https://nelsonvillefest.org
Like what you hear? Please email me at chad@thesummit.fm and let me know what you think!
Courtney Barnett
"Write a List of Things to Look Forward To"
Headlining the Saturday, July 27th portion of the festival, this artist has been a personal favorite of mine since the beginning of her career a decade ago. Australian indie rock singer-songwriter -- and guitar shredding whiz -- Courtney Barnett comes to Nelsonville after laying low the last several years.
However, she definitely knows how to deliver a quality rock show once she gets goin' on stage. Always clever with her wordplay and the turning of phrases within her lyrics, this song from her most recent album "Things Take Time, Take Time" (from November 2021 via Mom + Pop Records) is a shining example. She coaxes herself out a depressive funk and does so, via the charming music video, by exchanging letters to an unseen pen pal.
She's always a great time in a live setting! I'm so happy to get to see Courtney perform once again.
The Felice Brothers
"Crime Scene Queen"
Appearing as part of the Friday, July 26th portion of the festival, this cult favorite band from upstate New York have been longtime favorites of the indie-country-folk scene for years. They arrive at Nelsonville fresh off the release of their new album titled "Valley of Abandoned Songs" via Conor Oberst's (of Bright Eyes) new record label Million Stars.
That's sort of how this actual album came to be, as it turns out. Ian Felice happened to be going through a handful of forgotten demos a few years back and quickly realized that he had found something within this newly found buried treasure. He then took these rough drafts and unfinished songs to his longtime friend and collaborator Oberst who loved what he heard so much that he insisted they release these as a proper album -- and do so on his newly created boutique. Isn't that exactly what friends are for?
The Heavy Heavy
"Happiness"
How does this young UK duo do it?! Each of the three radio singles they've released to our world of Triple-A "adult alternative" radio has had the distinction of being "#1 most added" the week of their respective release. That's a pretty impressive start to one's career! And what's not to love?
As perhaps the newest consistent hitmakers to arrive in the Triple-A music format, the married duo of Will and Georgie are following up their initial EP from June 2022 with what will be the release of their debut full length album "One of a Kind" due out September 6 on ATO Records.
Even more so than their past songs, this one to feels like something one would've heard coming out of the speakers through a car radio back in the early '70s era of album rock radio. Its truly stunning how a band that's literally still just getting started can have such a retro throwback sound while still sounding completely unlike any other artist who might try to simultaneously replicate that sound and vibe, intentionally or not.
Man, this song is SO good! I'm pretty confident their set will be one of the memorable performances of the entire weekend, sure to leave a lasting impression for those who are lucky enough to witness it.
Indigo De Souza
"Smog"
Appearing as part of the Saturday, July 27th portion of the festival, talented young Asheville, North Carolina-based indie singer-songwriter Indigo De Souza writes songs that run the gamut of human emotion, as evidenced by the offerings on her most recent -- and fantastic -- album "All of This Will End" released in April 2023 on Saddle Creek Records.
As someone who's found inspiration from community and stability upon settling in Asheville, she took those feelings and poured them into this song, and the acommpanying music video.
Drawing upon her experience during the pandemic, she sought out to recreate that as it related to having a dream of going through the motions of ordinary life. Later, she realized that it WAS a dream after all, and something out of the ordinary breaks that reality, relaying that disturbance as a literal wake up call.
Turning that realization around was key for her in the powerful opportunity that then presented itself to her to live and move through life with intention. She's an incredibly thoughtful artist and it'll be a treat to see her perform again at NMF'24.
Killer Mike
"RUN"
Headlining the Friday, July 26th portion of the festival, this one comes from his first solo record in eleven years titled "Michael," which came out last June via Loma Vista Recordings.
After much success as part of the hip hop group Run the Jewels, Killer Mike is kown as a passionate and highly regarded cultural observer and commentator. He turned that high level of leadership and humanity into a song and music video that speaks to the reframing of American history to include Black history as part of the nation's history.
The music video is especially quite stunning as it presents a visceral portrayal of the fight for freedom all as it relates to current events. Take note also of the special cameo appearance by standup comedian Dave Chappelle who delivers a stirring opening monologue to this terrific and inspiring track.
Witnessing the greatness of Killer Mike onstage is most assuredly a surefire way to get NMF'24 off to a hot start!
Thee Sacred Souls
"Lucid Girl"
Wearing their vintage soul influences on their collective sleeves, the return of young San Diego-based trio Thee Sacred Souls is already a highlight of the summertime onslaught of new music.
With the announcement of their highly anticipated second album "Got a Story to Tell" (set for an October 4 release via Daptone Records) expect to hear more from this band leading up to that as their story grows bigger every day. It's a sound that, yes, evokes vintage soul sounds from the likes of legends like Marvin Gaye, but all with a fresh approach and a reverence and homage to their shared lifelong love of and appreciation for soul music.
Getting to see this band envelop the crowd with their magical vibes to close out the festival as golden hour descends on that Sunday evening, is something I'm very much looking forward to. A little birdie has told me that there should be another new song that drops pretty soon too!
