Indie rock has never really been my cup of tea. However, I am not one to turn down an opportunity for a new experience, so I loaded up my car and made the trek to Cincinnati for the Annual Bunbury Music Festival last weekend (July 19-20). When I hear “music festival” I think of your classic Woodstock–a few nights of camping with “hippies” covered in face paint and spinning fire poi. I had no idea what I was in for.
If you are a 15 year old girl filled with angst and raging hormones, Bunbury is your scene. The crowd consisted of the stereotypical, indie teeny-boppers, strapped in laced up combat boots with cotton candy pink hair and an overabundance of dark eye liner. It was like the gathering of indie Beliebers. I was lost. It did not help that I had a limited tolerance for the music. I felt the pain of all the parents who watched from the sidelines while their little spawns gyrated to the unharmonious tunes of the Cults–they found solace in the Craft Beer Village.
Once I got over the initial shock I really started to enjoy myself. The venue was beautiful. The “festival” took place right along the Ohio River at Sawyer Point Yeatman’s Cove. There were a total of 7 main stages and a few tiny ones scattered throughout the park. The weather was humid but forgiving. The sun stayed out for the majority of time and brightened up the whole venue and the crowd exuded good vibes. Unlike other music festivals where people go to partake in the party favors, everybody was here for one reason- the music. I am sure the fact that the majority of the crowd was under the age of 21 had an effect on this but the sense of community was apparent. The venue was packed with dedicated fans–their faces, and their deafening high-pitched screams, said it all.
I tried to catch all the major headliners on Saturday that I could. I got to see Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Pluto Revolts, the Cults, Foxy Shazam and Lily & Madeleine. made it a point to catch the lesser known bands also. I wanted the full experience.
My favorite set by far was performed by the Haerts, an indie pop band. Their performance was absolutely amazing. Situated on the riverfront stage with the Kentucky bridge in the backdrop and Nina Fabi’s angelic presence illuminating the entire stage, I was filled with temporary bliss. I could feel my heart synch with Nina Fabi’s soft voice. Time stopped, people faded into the ethers and all that was left was pure euphoria. It gave me chills. Nina looked up the whole time like she was staring into the heavens while her soul sang. She moved with grace and poise. Her frail frame was draped in a white garment and she flowed with lightness–like a feather dancing across the stage. She was a vision of pureness. The crowd was so into it–and so was I. People were dancing and laughing and having a good time. I actually got up and danced with the crowd. It felt great. On my way home I listened to as much of their music that I could get my hands on, trying to hold on to that magic moment as long as I could.
If there was anything that I took from Bunbury it was discovering this band. They rock and I highly recommend everybody give their new EP, Hemiplegia, a listen. Overall, Bunbury was a new and different experience. If you are into indie music and under the age of 21 I suggest you check it out.
Indie rock has never really been my cup of tea. However, I am not one to turn down an opportunity for a new experience, so I loaded up my car and made the trek to Cincinnati for the Annual Bunbury Music Festival last weekend (July 19-20). When I hear “music festival” I think of your classic Woodstock–a few nights of camping with “hippies” covered in face paint and spinning fire poi. I had no idea what I was in for.
If you are a 15 year old girl filled with angst and raging hormones, Bunbury is your scene. The crowd consisted of the stereotypical, indie teeny-boppers, strapped in laced up combat boots with cotton candy pink hair and an overabundance of dark eye liner. It was like the gathering of indie Beliebers. I was lost. It did not help that I had a limited tolerance for the music. I felt the pain of all the parents who watched from the sidelines while their little spawns gyrated to the unharmonious tunes of the Cults–they found solace in the Craft Beer Village.
Once I got over the initial shock I really started to enjoy myself. The venue was beautiful. The “festival” took place right along the Ohio River at Sawyer Point Yeatman’s Cove. There were a total of 7 main stages and a few tiny ones scattered throughout the park. The weather was humid but forgiving. The sun stayed out for the majority of time and brightened up the whole venue and the crowd exuded good vibes. Unlike other music festivals where people go to partake in the party favors, everybody was here for one reason- the music. I am sure the fact that the majority of the crowd was under the age of 21 had an effect on this but the sense of community was apparent. The venue was packed with dedicated fans–their faces, and their deafening high-pitched screams, said it all.
I tried to catch all the major headliners on Saturday that I could. I got to see Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Pluto Revolts, the Cults, Foxy Shazam and Lily & Madeleine. made it a point to catch the lesser known bands also. I wanted the full experience.
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My favorite set by far was performed by the Haerts, an indie pop band. Their performance was absolutely amazing. Situated on the riverfront stage with the Kentucky bridge in the backdrop and Nina Fabi’s angelic presence illuminating the entire stage, I was filled with temporary bliss. I could feel my heart synch with Nina Fabi’s soft voice. Time stopped, people faded into the ethers and all that was left was pure euphoria. It gave me chills. Nina looked up the whole time like she was staring into the heavens while her soul sang. She moved with grace and poise. Her frail frame was draped in a white garment and she flowed with lightness–like a feather dancing across the stage. She was a vision of pureness. The crowd was so into it–and so was I. People were dancing and laughing and having a good time. I actually got up and danced with the crowd. It felt great. On my way home I listened to as much of their music that I could get my hands on, trying to hold on to that magic moment as long as I could.
If there was anything that I took from Bunbury it was discovering this band. They rock and I highly recommend everybody give their new EP, Hemiplegia, a listen. Overall, Bunbury was a new and different experience. If you are into indie music and under the age of 21 I suggest you check it out.
