21 June 2025 (gig)
27 June 2025
Set in a natural bowl among the Ohio hills, Nelsonville Music Festival offers a rare combination of scenery, soul and substance. There’s something about the way the stage is framed by trees and sloping grass that makes the whole thing feel intentional, even if it probably wasn’t — almost like the land was waiting for the music.
Arriving late on Friday, we caught The Bug Club just as they launched into ‘Quality Pints’. A Welsh trio, rattling through tongue-in-cheek garage rock anthems like ‘A Bit Like James Bond’, in front of a sun-baked American crowd — it was a brilliant cultural clash that worked perfectly.
Later, Waxahatchee took to the main stage just as the sun began to drop behind the hills. Her set was something special. It was restrained but full of warmth, with her voice floating above breezy alt-country arrangements. There’s a clarity to Katie Crutchfield’s delivery that cuts through the usual festival chatter, and on songs like ‘Lilacs’ and ‘Right Back to It’, the crowd fell into a rare kind of quiet. It was a sunset moment made for this exact time and place.
Saturday brought more relentless sun, excellent local pints of ‘Ricky’ from Jackie O’s Brewery, and a stunner of a set from Watchhouse. Their subtle, harmony-rich folk felt completely at home here — as if the music was rising from the ground itself. And, to be honest, this was the highlight of the weekend. It felt joyous, emotive, and yet seemingly so simple in nature. However, it's the layering of rich harmonies and intricate instrumentation that makes it all work.
Charley Crockett headlined with full showmanship. Two massive trucks bearing his name rolled in early that morning, and by the time he hit the stage with a huge band and the festival’s most elaborate lighting rig, it all clicked. His voice is far from perfect — neither was Dylan’s — but it doesn’t matter. He’s a performer, through and through, and the set had charm and polish to spare.
Sunday was arguably the best day: Garrett T. Capps & NASA Country delivered synth-driven “Kraut-Country” that was smarter and more thoughtful than it had any right to be. Southern Avenue brought infectious, joyful soul, and The War & Treaty followed with a deeply emotional set, anchored by Michael Trotter Jr’s commanding and charismatic presence.
Then, the legend himself: Taj Mahal. Now 83, he may not hit every note like he used to, but he doesn’t need to. With a full band featuring steel drums (courtesy of Robert Greenidge who played with the legendary Jimmy Buffett for years), lap steel and percussion, his set was a masterclass in groove, warmth and deep American musical tradition. For me, it was personal — I play his music in my own band — and seeing him live was a true privilege.
Nelsonville has a magic balance, with rising stars, revered icons, and a crowd that actually listens. I’ll be back.
