This year’s Norman Music Festival was one to remember, with artists ranging from veterans of the local music scene to national artists from all over the country. The festival was filled with memorable moments, here’s five that stood out.
1. Bowlsey
Bowlsey, founded by singer/rapper duo Cidward St Cler and her husband Shraz Mercier, has been making fun, innovative music since the pair moved to Oklahoma from Houston in the 2010s. Bowlsey has left a mark on the scene – one that will, unfortunately, live on only as a memory as this was their last show. The final show was a perfect end for the group that has roots ranging from hip-hop to folk – roots which they use to craft a unique sound that is automatically identifiable as Bowlsey. For those of you who may not have heard of Bowlsey before, their 2014 release “Decorous” showcases their impressive range of songwriting and eclectic influence.
2. Bad Jokes
Hailing from Oklahoma City, Bad Jokes plays a brand of rock that mixes influences ranging from punk to blues, with the band never quite giving themselves a label for what genre of music they make. This attitude really shows what Bad Jokes stands for, with their unorthodox way of going about things. Bad Jokes has always put on an entertaining live show, but for Norman Music Festival they really turned it up to 11. Sporting some new paint from their recent Factory Obscura show, Bad Jokes braved the heat of the Opolis outdoor stage and put on an absolutely incredible show.
3. The Garden
Experimental rock group The Garden was one of the Norman Music Festival headliners this year. The California based duo took the stage, donning matching black robes and gave a performance just as surprising as their appearance. The heavy distorted bass and machine-like drumming made for a chaotic sound that was matched by their onstage demeanor. The art-punk duo put on an extremely energetic performance, showcasing their talents by sometimes even switching instruments. All of this chaos made for one of the most entertaining shows of Norman Music Festival, but what made The Garden so special was that even though there was chaos they were acutely in control the entire time.
4. Don’t Tell Dena
Comprised of students at UCO, Don’t Tell Dena has always had some fresh ideas, and their blending of elements from different rock subgenres as well as their inclusion of a synthesizer makes for some fun music that feels both new and in some aspects nostalgic. They kicked off this set with a rendition of “That Way”, one of the singles off their first LP “Phases of the Moon,” that really put some energy in the song that changed the feeling of the room. The screaming guitar solos, powerful choruses, and rock solid rhythm section set the precedent for an amazing set.
5. John Calvin Abney
A reputation surrounds John Calvin Abney, for both his talent as a musician and songwriter, as well as his charisma as a performer, and this is a reputation he absolutely lives up to. Very rarely did Abney not have an ear to ear smile on his face, you could really tell he was happy to be there and loved what he was doing. This attitude is also reflected in the music performed, with endearing folk songs about love, friends, and home that would move anybody who had the privilege to hear him live. You could tell that these songs really did mean a lot to John Calvin, the emotions came through in his heartfelt performance.