Norman Music Festival ready to rock: What to know about Oklahoma's free indie fest
NORMAN — For the past 15 years, a stalwart band made up primarily of volunteers has poured a passion for music and love of community into rocking downtown Norman.
After making its comeback in 2022 after two years lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Norman Music Festival returns April 27-29 in the Walker Arts District.
"It's certainly a labor of love. But it's something that we all really believe in, and it's something that we're glad that we're able to put on. It's something that we think that Oklahoma deserves," said Cody Giles, who is on the board of directors of the Norman Music Alliance, the volunteer-run nonprofit entity that produces the festival.
The free, independent music showcase annually brings hundreds of acts and thousands of music fans to Norman for three days of live music at several indoor and outdoor venues.
Here's what you need to know about Norman Music Festival 2023:
When and where is Norman Music Festival 2023?
Founded in 2008, Norman Music Festival started as a single-day event with just a few bands and has since grown to a massive three-day music and arts extravaganza.
This year's NMF will feature live music on four outdoor stages — the Main Stage will be set up at the corner of Main and Porter — with local bars, restaurants and other businesses supplying a dozen indoor stages.
Festival hours are 6 p.m. to midnight April 27-28 and 11 a.m. to midnight April 29, with live music continuing until 2 a.m. all three nights on some of the indoor stages.
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Who is playing at this year's Norman Music Fest?
The Norman Music Festival annually showcases an array of state, regional and national independent musicians.
The opening-night headliners include Portland, Oregon-based Indigeneous multi-instrumentalist Black Belt Eagle Scout, Oklahoma City alternative band Chelsea Days and OKC bilingual hip-hop duo Finite Galaxy.
The April 28 lineup will feature a trio of New York-based acts — rapper billy woods, alternative-rock band Acid Dad and psychedelic soul outfit Ghost Funk Orchestra — along with Toronto garage-punk psych rockers Wine Lips, California genre-bender Rudy De Anda and local neosoul songstress Nia Mone.
"I'm more than grateful. ... Last year was my first time. I was fortunate enough to get (on the) main stage as my first time, but I had an earlier slot," Mone said.
"I really did want to make a good impression last year ... so I had a string quartet and my full band. And we just had a good time, and then here we are this year, they asked me to be a headliner. So, I guess I made a good impression."
The top acts booked for the festival's third day include Los Angeles indie rockers Illuminati Hotties, Montreal post-punk band Cola, iconic Norman one-man band Hosty, Japanese rock band Acid Mothers Temple, OKC rapper Jabee & Friends and California indie surf-rock band Archer Oh.
"We want to kind of be a crystal ball of indie music ... because so many of our headliners have gone on to do bigger things. Omar Apollo headlined 2019, and then all the sudden, he's nominated for best new artist at the Grammys. Japanese Breakfast played here in 2018, and then they've gone on to do big, great things," Giles said.
"And Oklahoma talent Husbands ... they're now playing Lollapalooza."
What other Oklahoma acts are on the lineup?
As usual, this year's NMF lineup includes several Sooner State acts, including Samantha Crain, Sisteria, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Sugar Free Allstars, Rainbows Are Free, The Damn Quails, Swim Fan, stepmom, Tequila Songbirds, Lincka, Mad Honey, S. Reidy, Sofia Massad, Johnny Manchild & The Poor Bastards, Kat Lock and more.
"Our three tag words are free, original and Oklahoma, so that's something that we always want to push toward. The festival's free and open to everyone; we want everyone to feel included to come," Giles said. "We have have a load of Oklahoma talent in there, and then we're finding these touring bands that fit into what's original ... and are keeping that that indie vibe."
The festival's new app allows attendees to access the schedule, create their own itinerary and link to bands' online tip jars.
What other entertainment will be offered at Norman Music Festival?
This year, Comedy Night Live returns to Norman Music Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. April 28 at Norman's Sooner Theatre. Hosted by Cristela Carrizales, the lineup will include Spencer Hicks, Rodney Brazil, Short Form Improv and more.
In honor of local legend Mike Hosty's headlining set, NMF also partnered with OKC's deadCenter Film Festival to present the April 27 Norman premiere screening of the award-winning documentary "Oklahoma Breakdown: The Mike Hosty Story." But tickets quickly sold out.
In addition, the Norman Lions Club again will set up its annual carnival alongside NMF in downtown.
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What are the ticket options for NMF 2023?
While general admission to NMF is free, VIP ticket options are available for $100, $200 and $300.
All three options come with VIP access to the main stage and a NMF sticker, but at the higher levels, ticketholders can get a free T-shirt, entry to the VIP room and even access to priority parking.
Where should festivalgoers park?
Since NMF attracts large crowds to downtown Norman, organizers recommend that attendees be ready to park at a distance and walk over to the event or use ride-share services.
Those who drive to NMF are advised to use either city of Norman parking lots, legal street parking or private lots selling access to parking.
Norman Music Festival
When: April 27-29.
Where: Walker Arts District, downtown Norman.
Information: https://normanmusicfestival.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Norman Music Festival returns: What to know about the 2023 fest
