Teamwork was the name of the game over the weekend when inclement weather forced the final day of Norman Music Festival to cancel.
Norman Music Festival has been a pillar of springtime in Norman since 2008. Though weather has impacted the festival in the past, this is the first time it has caused a full day to be canceled, executive director Shari Jackson told OU Daily.
“That was a gut-wrenching call to make on Saturday morning, but when we looked each other in the eye and knew that the risk was just too great, we did the right thing,” Jackson said.
Saturday saw a record number of tornado warnings in Oklahoma, including an EF1 tornado in Norman and damaging tornadoes in Sulphur and Marietta. With the threat of dangerous weather across the state, the decision to cancel the festival’s final day was difficult but necessary.
The cancellation was announced just before 1 p.m., after only two hours of the festival’s “Kids Fest.” Indoor venues were instructed to make their own decisions regarding their performances for the day.
The Bluebonnet Bar, Red Brick Bar and Bison Witches Bar & Deli were among those that continued with their scheduled performances. Others, such as Legally Brewed and Beer is Good Brewing, canceled their lineup of performers but stayed open for service.
Opolis joined the main festival and canceled its lineup of performances. The decision was announced around 2 p.m., along with a preliminary announcement for a makeup festival the next day called “Tomorrow Fest.”
The venue, which has been run by a 10-person co-op since February 2023, made the official "Tomorrow Fest" announcement around 5 p.m. and released a lineup around 11 p.m.
Lincka performing at "Tomorrow Fest" on April 28.
Over 100 people packed into Opolis on Sunday to watch nine different acts from 2 p.m. to past 10 p.m., showing the resilience and loyalty of the Norman music scene.
“We were able to maneuver like that and pivot because we're co-op, because we all work for each other,” co-op member Laine Bergeron said. “We were able to make the decision all together, everybody was there and we were talking about it, so nobody had to tell anybody else what to do.”
The venue’s original lineup included artists from Denver and Dallas, which Bergeron said played into the decision to close.
“We had touring bands and people from out of town, so we decided we didn't want them to be driving through bad weather,” Bergeron said. “We started reaching out to people and putting the show together. We're just trying to make a little bit of lemonade.”
With Tomorrow Fest lasting over eight hours, Bergeron said that the community response had been overall very positive, with a rotating crowd throughout the event.
Singer and songwriter AJ Harvey played a solo set at 4 p.m. and with the band Smokey Motel at 10 p.m. He said the attendees brought with them the energy they had from the canceled festival day.
“It was so nice to see the crowd that's been here throughout the day,” Harvey said. “The crowds fluctuated but it's still here, so I'm glad to see that everyone, despite good or bad weather, wanted to be here and get that energy out.”
Opolis co-op member Eli Wimmer working the outside food menu at "Tomorrow Fest."
On an industry level, music is known to be an incredibly competitive field, but the environment of the Norman and Oklahoma City music community is known among artists as welcoming and supportive.
Harvey is from Wichita, Kansas, and moved to Norman four years ago to pursue music. He said the environment has helped him build tools as an artist.
“You know how to make those connections, even if it's a handshake and a high-five or whatever afterwards, (how to) take the compliment and be there for other people too,” Harvey said. “That's something I even have to remember. You go to shows, they'll go to yours.”
Oklahoma City-based band Bee and the Hive, which was originally scheduled to play the Norman Music Festival’s Main Stage Saturday, played at Tomorrow Fest at 8 p.m. Lead singer Bee Pichardo said she was heartbroken when the festival was canceled, and was excited to have another chance to play.
“The music community here is so resilient. I love how all the musicians will pull together to make it work,” Pichardo said. “I love that there's people here that want to listen — I’m very happy — very, very happy.”
Bee and the Hive guitarist Noah Roberts said Opolis’ quick actions were representative of the type of environment in the wider community.
“(Opolis being) a locally owned venue, putting on a show to support the bands that didn't get to play shows,” Roberts said. “I think it's a great illustration (that) we all stick together and support each other and want to perform for each other and support each other.”
As younger artists, members of Bee and the Hive are inspired by the Oklahoma music environment to continue to support each other.
“We always make sure that that's at the forefront of what we're doing because we are the next generation that can make that the norm,” Pichardo said. “My favorite musicians are the people that support others and I want to be like them. It means everything to me.”
This story was edited by Shelby Emery and Karoline Leonard. Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
