Helen Grant
Norman Music Festival has announced that The Bright Light Social Hour will headline the main stage this year. Do we have a Spotify and a SoundCloud embed? Most certainly!
For those curious about this band, they hail from Austin, Texas and are what you’d call “psychedelic southern rock.” More on them in a minute. NMF7 organizers also announced that Moreland and Arbuckle are to play the Sailor Jerry stage.
“The Festival has lined up some incredible bands and we can’t wait to share them with the public,†says NMF Chair, Gene Bertman.
As usual, downtown Norman will transform into one of the nation’s largest music festivals on April 26th. The Main Stage will be located at Main Street and Porter, the Sailor Jerry Stage will be located at Jones and Comanche, and the Sooner Theatre at 101 E. Main St.
Other bands scheduled to perform on the Main Stage include: Horse Thief (who we’ve written about), Diarrhea Planet (who we’ve written about, even though Derek, who writes The LI$T, will tell you they have a terrible band name, but that they do make good music), Caleb McGee and ADDverse Effects.
The Norman Music Festival’s Sailor Jerry stage will also feature: Terry “Buffalo†Ware and the Shambles, Cutter Elliott, John Moreland and the Tequilla Songbirds. The Sooner Theatre stage will feature top local acts including Tyson, Feel Spectres and $69 Guitar.
Naturally they’re adding more bands, so there will be more news to come. Organizers say a full list of bands performing at the 2014 Norman Music Festival will be available in April.
What else should you know about the Norman Music Festival (besides that you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter)?
- The festival will again be held in downtown Norman, on Main Street in the Arts District, extending from the 300 blocks of E. Main Street to the railroad tracks.
- The mission of the Norman Music Alliance is to promote live events for the community of Norman, Oklahoma, and the surrounding area that celebrates original music of many genres produced by local, regional and national musicians.
- What NOT to bring: Alcohol, food and beverages, weapons, fireworks, explosives, large backpacks, tents, coolers and glass materials.
- Items that ARE permitted: baby/toddler food, diaper bags and strollers.
Back to the first headliner announced: The Bright Light Social Hour features Curtis Roush on guitar and vocals, Jack O’Brien on bass guitar and vocals, and Joseph Mirasole on drums. You can do your own research if their sound appeals to you, but I discovered they have a song inspired by Wendy Davis, which I find interesting, but that’s just me. You may not be interested in that sort of thing, but for those who are, there’s a chance you could enjoy the song and the footage they took for the music video they made.
Other notes?
“The Bright Light Social Hour is a psychedelic southern rock band from Austin, Texas. Born out of a university art-rock collective, the band first gained attention in Austin from their incendiary live performances and innovative vision of rock and roll. Melding southern rock, hard dance, psychedelic blues, and deep soul, their debut full-length album led to heightening critical acclaim, national touring, and a rare sweep of six awards at the SXSW 2011 Austin Music Awards, including Band of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year.
Following their album release, The Bright Light Social Hour have embarked on a heavy touring rotation, playing over three hundred shows throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They have performed in front of thousands of new fans, most recently at Lollapalooza 2013, Austin City Limits 2013 and opening for Aerosmith at the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City. The Bright Light Social Hour is currently recording their second full-length album to be released in 2014.”