Culture
Nelsonville Music Festival 2025 brought music, community, and an opportunity to celebrate the life of Michael Hurley
By: Julia Weber
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NELSONVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — From the alt-country-tinged indie rock of Waxahatchee to the rootsy, genre-blurring blues of Taj Mahal, the 2025 Nelsonville Music Festival (NMF) brought three days of music to the Snow Fork Event Center (5685 Happy Hollow Rd) Friday through Sunday.
Organized each year by arts nonprofit Stuart’s Opera House to support arts education in Southeastern Ohio, the festival once again offered an eclectic lineup — though this year marked the first without festival mainstay Michael Hurley, whose presence had long been central to the event.
Hurley was a widely influential and highly idiosyncratic American songwriter, musician, and artist. His formal music career began in the mid-1960s with the release of First Songs on Folkways Records. Sometimes called the “Godfather of freak folk” — a subgenre of folk that blends experimental and unconventional elements — Hurley died in April at age 83.
A fixture of the festival since 2008, his distinct, creative approach to art and life helped shape NMF’s personality and spirit.
“I keep looking to see where he’s at,” said Amy Brengman, a longtime volunteer and attendee. “Unreal.”
Brengman was among many attending the Celebration of Life for Hurley, which featured performances of his songs by artists including members of the Styrofoam Winos and Bonnie “Prince” Billy.
“All of this [festival], even though some of you are brand new to Michael’s music and his art, some of you are huge longtime fans — it’s all about what he represented, the part of the festival I’m most drawn to,” said Stuart’s Opera House and NMF Concert Coordinator Tim Peacock to the assembled crowd.
The weekend unfolded with performances across three stages, despite the region’s near-constant heat advisory.
Opening the fest Friday, local electronic duo Weedghost performed a lush ambient drone set at the Creekside Stage — a tradition they’ve maintained since 2008. Later, Merce Lemon delivered a mid-afternoon set on the Porch Stage, followed by alternative country artist MJ Lenderman and headliner Waxahatchee.
Saturday featured the festival’s busiest schedule, stretching from late morning to near midnight with two additional late-night sets at the Campground Stage. Spencer Radcliffe & Everyone played a fuzzy, experimental set at the Porch Stage.
NMF alumni Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) followed at Howard’s Stage, with country artist Charley Crockett closing the main stage with a high-energy performance, followed by The Black Lips’ late-night set.
Sunday marked the festival’s final day. Performers included Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Garrett T. Capps & NASA Country, and returning alumni The War and Treaty. Blues legend Taj Mahal closed the evening with a wide-ranging set spanning his long career.
This year’s festival — with its Hurley-inspired decorations, shared blankets, and above all, its spirit of community and acceptance — served as a fitting reflection of Hurley’s enduring influence.