News

January 25, 2010

MusicNOW Celebrates Fifth Year, Announces 2010 Lineup

In 2006, Brassland co-founder Bryce Dessner (also known for his work in The National and Clogs) created the MusicNOW Festival in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, in order to highlight the work of contemporary musicians and artists "that take risks and do not fit neatly into categories." Held at Memorial Hall, MusicNOW has stayed true to its mission, inviting artists as eclectic as Sufjan Stevens, Grizzly Bear, The Books, Bang on a Can All-Stars, and Kronos Quartet.

Earlier this month, MusicNOW announced their lineup for 2010. Running from Tuesday, March 30, through Thursday, April 1, the fifth incarnation of MusicNOW will feature Joanna Newsom, St. Vincent, Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) in a rare solo appearance, and yMusic, who will perform a festival-commissioned piece written by St. Vincent's Annie Clark.

Tickets, which cost $20 per concert or $50 for a three-day pass, are now available online here. If you prefer the old-fashioned way, you can call 1-800-838-3606.

To celebrate the festival's fifth anniversary, Each Note Secure compiled a history of the festival, including streaming video, pictures, and links to interviews. Some highlights we thought we'd post here, as well:



Sufjan Stevens plays "Lakes of Canada" on Memorial Hall's roof in 2007. (Video by Vincent Moon for La Blogotheque)


Andrew Bird belts one out onstage at the 2008 festival. (Photo by Joe Long)


Kronos Quartet performs at the 2009 festival. (Photo by Meredith Melragon)


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