Okcfest 2014

[bchris02]

This is good news. I was bummed, like most, that we were getting a festival named "OKCfest" that is 100% country like that is the only music genre connotation our city has. Seriously, how can they name it after our entire city and then make it nothing but country?...

This is the core of the issue right here. With a name like OKCFest it should represent the diversity that actually exists in the city rather than pandering to the stereotype. I don't think people would have as much of an issue if it was called something like CountryFest.

[bradh]

but all rednecks listen to is country.

not 100%, where i'm from they listened to plenty of rap too, something ironic about a jacked up truck with a stars and bars sticker on the window blaring DJ Screw through the speakers back home

[BoulderSooner]

In OKC, country is by far the most popular genre. While it may not appeal to the young/hipster crowd, starting this festival centered on country and then slowly bringing in other acts is a good way to build a successful festival given the market here. A similar festival with all hipster/indie bands right from the start would more than likely be a flop, unfortunately.

As others have said country is te most popular genre for the under 30 crowd as well.

And as for "oklahoma" stereotype. Stagecoach in Palm dessert/Indio California draws 50k a year

[DoctorTaco]

Even within the country genre there is a lot of room for diversity. Like I have no freaking clue who Dierks Bently is, and I certainly do not want to listen to Lady Antebellum. Aren't these the people that just sing about trucks and tight jeans and hanging out? Not sure.

But I sure as hell want to see Merle Haggard. Man is a legend.

Even if they staid under the country umbrella they could always find ways to bring in legends (Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Willy Nelson, etc.) or alt-county types (Old 97's, etc.) to keep it interesting.

With that in mind I think keeping a country focus could help this stand out against an increasing wave of indie-rock festivals. Used to be just SXSWm, Coachella, Bonnaroo and Sasquatch. Now it is those plus Forecastle, MusicFestNW, the resurrected Lollapalooza, Norman Music Fest, etc. etc. etc.) A little brand differntiation could go a long ways with this.

[bradh]

I wouldn't mind a little mix of what you get at the Winter Music Conference in Miami either, but then again my musical tastes are broader than most.

[OSUFan]

I'm a millennial who doesn't love the lineup. That being said if they let me (or most millennials who frequent OKC talk) pick the lineup they might draw 5,000 people. Do you want to have a successful first event that draws 30,000 to 50,000 to downtown and gives you a chance to have this be an annual event? Pretty decent lineup. Do you want an event that makes millenials who frequent OKC talk warm and fuzzy then this wasn't the way to go.

[dcsooner]

I agree that this event should offer more that Country music. OKC is stuck on country music to the detriment to its desire to expand its offerings across diverse spectrums of music and other cultural genres. They have missed a huge opportunity to draw more diverse peoples to OKC, whereas, the city offers very little today to do so.

[coov23]

I'm a millennial who doesn't love the lineup. That being said if they let me (or most millennials who frequent OKC talk) pick the lineup they might draw 5,000 people. Do you want to have a successful first event that draws 30,000 to 50,000 to downtown and gives you a chance to have this be an annual event? Pretty decent lineup. Do you want an event that makes millenials who frequent OKC talk warm and fuzzy then this wasn't the way to go.

I think most feel like this is a pretty standard move by okc legislature. You can't claim to want to be like ACL and a hip city and pull this lineup. If I had to choose headliners for a music festival it'd be Black Keys, Imagine Dragons, Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, J Cole and John Legend. That would cover every genre and would attract 60k, for sure. That's a real music festival. Just this millenials opinion.

[bradh]

well you certainly picked two terrible country options

[catch22]

Not excited.

I hope it's not too loud. While I appreciate (but not necessarily like or enjoy) old country music, modern country is just obnoxious and annoying.

[OSUFan]

I think most feel like this is a pretty standard move by okc legislature. You can't claim to want to be like ACL and a hip city and pull this lineup. If I had to choose headliners for a music festival it'd be Black Keys, Imagine Dragons, Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, J Cole and John Legend. That would cover every genre and would attract 60k, for sure. That's a real music festival. Just this millenials opinion.

Well sure but I imagine that would be 3 or 4 times more expensive and how many more people would you really draw? Would it be smart financially? This is a private group putting this on. I completely understand this lineup is a no go for some. But is a major, major draw for a ton of people. I guess I like at this more as a starting point and not the end. I hope as the festival gets some success the lineup gets more diverse.

[BoulderSooner]

modern country is just obnoxious and annoying.

Also the most popular genre in the United States

[catch22]

Also the most popular genre in the United States

Sometimes popular things are just obnoxious and annoying.

[bchris02]

Something like Memphis in May may be doable in OKC. I still think would be a bit out of our league though in 2014. Maybe in ten years. As another poster said, this city needs to become more accustomed to live music before the kind of things many would like to see would be feasible.

Memphis In May International Festival 2014: Salutes Panama

Unfortunately, Tulsa is known as the live music destination in Oklahoma and with it so close, its going to be difficult gaining major momentum here for genres other than country.

[coov23]

Well sure but I imagine that would be 3 or 4 times more expensive and how many more people would you really draw? Would it be smart financially? This is a private group putting this on. I completely understand this lineup is a no go for some. But is a major, major draw for a ton of people. I guess I like at this more as a starting point and not the end. I hope as the festival gets some success the lineup gets more diverse.

this lineup screams "Great State Fair of Oklahoma". I say that because that's where these artists play, excluding Lady Antebellum. So, yes, that lineup I named would be more expensive, but Tim McGraw did just play at Penn Square a year ago. I can tell you that the lineup I stated would draw significantly more people. Not just the state fair crowd that this is going to attract. I'm not trying to sound like a douchebag. Even though I know I am. I've just seen FireFly in Dover, DE start 3 years ago and get those artists I named to come in year one. They drew over 100k that first year. They did it right. They picked every genre to atteact different cultural groups for a 3 day festival. It was HUGE. Look at their lineup now. https://fireflyfestival.com/lineup/

That's a festival. It's in a town of 35k to top it off. Just takes more than some 60 year olds putting a festival together.

[coov23]

A good name when the park is finished( if they become more diverse in music selection): ParkSide Music Festival in Okc

[SOONER8693]

Agree. This likely won't be appealing to those who don't like country or redneck culture, but it fits OKC like a glove and will be great for downtown business.

Country music is by far the most popular form of music in this country.

[OSUFan]

The festivals you keep referencing are massively, massively more expensive (not to mentioned most aren't held in a metro's downtown). Who is going to pay for that. I'm not arguing that something like Firefly wouldn't be awesome. I hope that this can eventually draw a more diverse acts. I think reuniting Led Zeppelin would bring a ton of people but I don't have the capital to get it done.

End of the day this has the potential to bring a massive amount of people downtown and be hugely successful. I'm just not going to say it is the world's worst idea because the music doesn't cater to me.

[coov23]

Country music is by far the most popular form of music in this country.

Weird. Why isn't country music topping top 40 pop charts? Rap, R&B, Alternative and rock do on the regular. Think your stating opinion, not fact. If it is fact illness proof. I just see most downloaded songs in iTunes. It's not country.

[bradh]

Weird. Why isn't country music topping top 40 pop charts? Rap, R&B, Alternative and rock do on the regular. Think your stating opinion, not fact. If it is fact illness proof. I just see most downloaded songs in iTunes. It's not country.

is that not because country has it's own chart?

[coov23]

is that not because country has it's own chart?

Go to iTunes. Just go to most downloaded chart. It's for all genres. Alternative has it's own, as dies evey other genre. I'm talking about overall. There a chart for that on there, too. Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line are the only 2 in top 10.

Oddly enough, I like their music. It's not as twangy as most country songs.

[bradh]

Go to iTunes. Just go to most downloaded chart. It's for all genres. Alternative has it's own, as dies evey other genre. I'm talking about overall. There a chart for that on there, too. Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line are the only 2 in top 10.

dude, country listeners still buy tapes & CD's, don't you know? backwoods hicks and rednecks don't have iTunes

I was just asking a legitimate question anyhow. I almost think it's unfair to compare country to top 40 pop, because really what's mixed in that chart is 3 or 4 different genres. you don't just have two genres of music in this country (country or pop).

[PWitty]

BChris and coov23 are like two peas in a pod. Can't say I'm surprised by any of the statements either have made. You both can hang on to all the stereotypes you want, but modern country is far from "redneck" like a lot of older traditional country that people think of when they hear "country music". Eric Church could easily be labelled as "Rock", and others like Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, etc. could all just as easily be labeled as "Pop". Most of the current Country stars are far from being "Country".

I am a pretty big music junkie myself, and my downloads jump from Hip-Hop (mainly) to Electronic to Country to Pop. I pretty much like it all, and people claiming that you have to play EDM or Pop to be relevant to millennials need to strongly reconsider. I'm fresh out of college and most people I met at KU liked country music much more than I did (I like it but it isn't my go-to genre). Do people prefer to hear EDM/Rap/Pop when they're out at a club/bar? Most definitely. But those same people are much more willing to pay to see a live country performance than an EDM concert. Most country performers can play anything live and it sounds good. There aren't too many Pop/EDM performers who can say the same. Heck, most of the big Pop stars just dance/perform on stage and chime in every now and then on the chorus while the rest of the song is played over the speakers.

Also, just a random observation from the male perspective, most girls I have ever met like country music much more than any other genre. It seems like guys lean towards Hip-Hop/EDM, while girls lean towards Country/Pop.

America's Favorite Music Genre

[TheTravellers]

There was a link in the initial post with a video with extensive comments by Mayor Cornett. He didn't once say anything about all genres. As I said before this is a first time event. People should give it some time to build into something for everyone.

Here's the lineup for the first ACL Festival in 2002 (put together in 3-4 months, apparently):

Ryan Adams
Arc Angels
Asleep at the Wheel
Joe Bonamassa
Jane Bond
Blind Boys of Alabama
Caitlin Cary
Gary Clark, Jr., W. C. Clark
Shawn Colvin
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Karl Denson
The Derailers
Durden Family Singers
Eyes Adrift
Faithful Gospel Stars
Ruthie Foster
David Garza
G. Love & Special Sauce
Gospel Stars
The Gourds
Jon Dee Graham
Pat Green
Patty Griffin
Grupo Fantasma
Emmylou Harris
Caroline Herring
The Jayhawks
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
Kevin McKinney
Li'l Cap'n Travis
Los Lobos
Luna
James McMurtry
Mighty Sincere Voices of Navasota
Ramsey Midwood
Monte Montgomery
Abra Moore
Allison Moorer
The New Deal
Nickel Creek
Olospo
Original Bells of Joy
Particle, Patrice Pike & The Black Box
Pauline Reese
Robert Randolph
Rebellion
Rebirth Brass Band
Reckless Kelly
Rana
Bob Schneider
Soulive
Sound Tribe Sector 9
South Austin Jug Band
Spacetruck
The String Cheese Incident
Topaz
Weary Boys
Gillian Welch
Kelly Willis
Wilco

They did a pretty awesome job of diversity and big name bands in their first year, it's a shame OKC couldn't.

[PWitty]

Go to iTunes. Just go to most downloaded chart. It's for all genres. Alternative has it's own, as dies evey other genre. I'm talking about overall. There a chart for that on there, too. Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line are the only 2 in top 10.

Oddly enough, I like their music. It's not as twangy as most country songs.

I just took a quick glance at the Billboard Hot 100 List, and about 23 or so of the 100 were Country songs. I would say that's a pretty decent number when the other 77 are split between Pop, Electronic, Alternative, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Rock.

Like pahdz said, it's kind of hard to compare Country to Top 40 when Top 40 is composed of Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Electronic/Dance. Some Rock even falls under Top 40, like Imagine Dragons, etc.