Published blog for Harry Acosta, Columbus-based designer and photographer
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Music Photography
Finally, it was time for the headliners, Static-X, to take the stage … almost. First, their eclectic "opener" begged the question, will metalheads sing along to "Sweet Caroline"? The answer is yes! One of the greatest aspects of witnessing a metal performance is that it is a safe place to express your love for music in all of its forms. You could hear the faint rumblings of those who knew all the lyrics, while the entire venue roared into Neil Diamond's famous chorus.
The Kills, an electrifying duo composed of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince have not been to Columbus, OH since 2016. A Columbus radio station know as CD101, later CD102.5, and finally CD92.9 has held an, often bi-annual, showcase of indie and alternative music as far back as 2004. These discounted festivals would sell out and bring a handful of unpaid bands in for one night. The only money these artists would make was from merch sales. The independently-owned station has been riddled with challenges and as of February 1st, 2024 has ceased their terrestrial broadcast. They can still be streamed online, but the impact of the loss of their presence has local concert-goers uneasy. Will the lesser-known, up-and-coming, and even local touring musicians still find Columbus a welcoming, safe-haven stop on their tour worthwhile?
Patrick Droney is about as nice of a performer as you will ever meet. And if you know his music, you love his music. Versed with the guitar like John Mayer, at times sounding like Rick Springfield, and skilled with his his lyrics like the Avett Brothers or John Moreland. He is an amalgam of talent more humble than a roadside vagabond.
Sunday had the earliest start time for the fest, and the most relaxing atmosphere. The third day was reserved for indie and folk musicians. Even the weather had calmed down to a more manageable temperature. A feature of the VIP areas at WonderBus this year was the ability to reserve private suites. There were several premium suites to relax and enjoy each other's company in the shade.
WonderBus music and arts festival is so much more with an emphasis on mental health wellness each year through many of the non-profit vendors on site and informative introductions before most stage performances. RADD Ohio had a booth by the third stage with hopes of making sure everyone got home safely.
To put it in perspective, Riot Fest in Chicago this year has 30 bands playing each day. Wonderbus has a total of 30 bands in three days at a similar price point. Of course, there are many specials run throughout the year to commit to the festival experience without paying full price. It is not a large festival, so on the first day, they allow people the opportunity to come out after work hours to start their weekend without missing any performances.
There are countless stadium-filling performers who play the same songs night after night, and even from tour to tour. No one misses out from one city to the next as they get the exact same performance, but there is little need to check them out again. Shakey Graves keeps it real and fresh for each performance.
At our core, people want to feel music. If we hear, but don’t feel it, it’s just noise. If it moves us, it now has meaning and we want to listen to it again and again. Unfortunately, like most jokes and stories, it loses meaning the more we hear it. Some of us are music junkies - always searching for new music; chasing the dragon to feel what we once felt with another song.
Last night in Columbus, it was a heavy 98• spring day. Hundreds of thousands of people lost power in the late afternoon, and are still without power as I write this. Unaware of the situation, I parked my car on the street and checked out the venue’s website. Where previously the page announced the show along with the opener’s name, it now read ‘The Unlikely Candidates is Still Happening’.
