Norman Music Festival is not only a great annual experience for the general public, but also one of the biggest events for Oklahoma-based musicians. While acclaimed artists from around the country and beyond take headlining spots at multiple large outdoor stages, local players are often granted the opportunity to open and close for them on the same platform. Meanwhile, the festival’s multitude of smaller indoor stages harbor even more performers that play to audiences they might not otherwise find.
Additionally, NMF is often one of the best places for artists to catch each other’s performances, as many are too busy throughout the year to attend each other’s shows unless sharing a bill. There is a thriving sense of togetherness within the local music scene that flourishes every April, and it’s a side of NMF that often remains under the radar of most festival coverage.
In an effort to capture this insider experience, Make Oklahoma Weirder started following local artists with a camera last year, and it went so well that we decided to do it again, this time with a singer-songwriter, a hip-hop producer, and a ska band.
Special thanks to Rabbit House Productions for the fabulous work editing the footage we brought back.
Watch the videos below, and let us know which one was your favorite!
Thursday with Justin Logan
Hailing from Ada, OK, Justin Logan combines pop, rock, and soul into a slick blend that helps him stand out from other singer-songwriters. At this year’s Norman Music Fest, he and his band caught up with friends and electrified the Bluebonnet Bar stage with a groove-fueled late Thursday night set.
While there, we also caught Cutter Elliott and Rachel Lynch & The Daydrinkers, two acts that added to Bluebonnet’s hometown, bottle-clinking folk/country atmosphere.
Friday with Triple8
OKC music producer, performer, promoter, and all around hustler Triple8 is one of the key members of hip-hop collective Guerrilla Breed.
After DJing for rappers Deezy and Split Personality on Friday evening, Triple8 and some associates took care of some business, then ventured out to catch performances by Bowlsey, Original Flow & The Fervent Route, Jacobi Ryan, and Elizabeth Speegle Band.
Triple8 then tackled the Bison Witches back stage with a seamless DJ set and live performance, sharing the spotlight with guest rappers Deezy, Prez, and Queen Caution.
Saturday with The Big News
The Big News has single-handedly put Oklahoma City on the map in the world of ska music, thanks to the band’s tireless touring around the coasts and repertoire that contains some of the catchiest ska punk songs around.
Before The Big News’ fun late afternoon show on NMF’s inaugural West Stage, we joined the quintet in catching performances by When the Clock Strikes, Saint Loretto, Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards, and Bad Jokes.Β
aka Jarvix, the Chief Executive Weirdo of Make Oklahoma Weirder. His out-of-the-box music coverage has been published by the Oklahoma Gazette, KOSU, and The Oklahoman among others. He also makes DIY music as a solo multi-instrumentalist live looper in his spare time.