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My feet really hurt right now. I don’t mean to whine, but it’s not just my feet; it’s my shins, too. Now that I think about it, this pain is not located only to my shins and my feet – my quads (or something) are in on the hurt as well. And you know whose fault it is? The Norman Music Festival.
Oh, I had a nice time at the festival. I’m pretty sure everyone did (especially if they saw The Non and Tea Leaf Green). I also ate a funnel cake, which might be the best thing I have ever eaten in my life (it’s definitely in the top three). Additionally, I saw a guy and his girlfriend get into a huge fight (they even kicked each other at one point, which effectively answered my question of “Who the hell kicks people these days?”) because the girl apparently had slept with someone named Jeremy C. This was the third-best act I watched all day.
But man, standing on asphalt for nearly nine hours is, apparently, very bad for the sole. Though this is not really about my feet — not anymore. At this point, my feet have become symbols for all that is wrong with the NMF. But they are also the festival’s savior. They are Christ-like feet, feet with big ideas and grand ambitions, and I hope they will one day be known as “The Feet That Saved The Music.” My feet have had a great vision, and it is clear as day and bright as the Star of Bethlehem.
To start the Norman Music Festival on its path to perfection, it needs a change of scenery. This new location should be larger than its current home, a field, preferably, located somewhere in Norman. This move is inevitable, anyway. Two years, tops, and the NMF with have outgrown Main Street like a two-year-old’s Keds. Of course, a bigger location would call for the rental of additional stages, which all cost money. Coincidentally, the solution to this is the next step in the NMF’s path: sell tickets.
This would kick-start a valuable chain reaction. They wouldn’t even have to cost much, these tickets; twenty bucks a pop would probably be adequate. This money would allow the possibility of multiple outdoor stages, and could also help secure slots for bigger-name bands like My Morning Jacket.
Bigger bands mean larger crowds, which mean more vendors. All of this means more money for the NMF. Let the circle be unbroken.
Now, I realize the NMF is a non-profit event. There’s no reason that this needs to change. Simply donate all profits to a charity.
And I guess that’s it, really. My feet did well. There are surely a few small wrinkles that need ironing out,but my feet are on the job. They will undoubtedly devise a plan to fix any potential issues that arise, thinking clearly as they stand on the soft grass of a music-filled field in Norman.
Adam Kohut is a professional writing senior.
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JJanowiak 3 years ago
The upside of charging money for the festival? Fewer freaks. Oh wait, they're just "different".
GrahamLeeBrewer 3 years ago
Adam, this is awful my friend. The idea of Norman Music Festival is to have this great, FREE, event for music fans in our demographic. The idea of selling tickets is silly. Not only that but putting it in a field? Really man? The setting for the festival is one of the greatest things about it. I would much rather have several smaller, indoor stages that are located at local businesses than a few big ones outdoors. This gives the festival a really great local and, I hate to say it, "indie" feel, much like SXSW. The thought of puttting it at a park is just atrocious to me. Not only is it aesthetically appealing to have it downtown, it gives local businesses a huge boost.
OUSooners 3 years ago
The festival being free is the best part. Norman residents are so fortunate to have such a large fun festival offered for free in our backyard. Don't change it, Norman! I'll take smaller bands and pavement for free!