Cheers ran throughout a packed Rollerbowl Lanes on Saturday night as Tim Peacock, executive director of Stuart’s Opera House, took the stage to announce part of the 2013 Nelsonville Music Festival lineup.
Eight bands were announced during the Halfway to Nelsonville Music Festival event, including two headliners: acclaimed singer-songwriter John Prine, who will be closing out the weekend, and Wilco.
Other bands included Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Cotton Jones and Reigning Sound. The three bands playing at the event were also invited to perform at the festival — Nick Tolford & Company, The B-Rays and the County Pharaohs.
“We always try to book up-and-coming and unknown artists, but we also book bigger name artists, not huge, but bigger name artists that will bring people to the festival,” said Peacock, the booking manager for the Nelsonville Music Festival. “We always want to bring a diversity of audience, so John Prine will bring a certain audience, Wilco will bring a certain audience, and the hope is everyone will love everything else.”
Stuart’s held the Halfway to Nelsonville Music Festival party to celebrate the fact that the ninth Nelsonville Music Festival, which will start May 30, is six months away. It was the first time Stuart’s held a celebration of this scale for the halfway point.
“We’re really happy with it,” said Brian Koscho, marketing and promotions coordinator for Stuart’s. “It’s a great turnout; it seems like everyone’s having a great time, and I think it’s going smoothly.”
The party, along with live bands and bowling, featured a raffle that raised funds for the opera house. Prizes included gift baskets and gift cards to local businesses, such as Donkey Coffee and Espresso and The Farmacy.
Athens resident Roger Josephson said he enjoyed the bands and the group of people who came out to celebrate the halfway point.
“It’s good music, good people, a good cause,” Josephson said. “There are a lot of smiles and a few good old friends.”
Peacock said he and the other organizers are highly considering making the event annual because of the positive feedback given by attendees.
Meetings are being held regularly for the Nelsonville Music Festival and cover not only booking decisions but also the festival’s Zero-Waste Initiative and logistics for the weekend. More announcements about the lineup will be made after the new year.
eb104010@ohiou.edu
