Annual Northside Music Fest adds hip-hop to lineup

 
In its ninth year, the Northside Music Fest is Cincinnati’s longest running, independently-run free music event. This year brings 16 bands to three stages at Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave, on June 24-25.
 
Two of the stages are located inside of Northside Tavern — one in the cozy front room and a larger stage in the main back room — with the third on the outdoor patio.
 
Jason Snell, Mike Gibboney and Scott Torres founded Northside Music Fest in 2007 as a way to celebrate the neighborhood’s music scene and eclectic identity, as well as a way for all of their friends to play together. Over the years it’s grown from a one-night showcase of local music into a two-day festival featuring local and regional acts.

“What makes Northside Music Fest unique is that it’s not a huge ticket festival,” Snell says. “It’s free, and it’s all-neighborhood first. It brings together many communities in and around Northside and truly celebrates our unique flavor.”
 
Previous years have seen bands like the Buffalo Killers, Daniel Martin Moore, James Leg (Black Diamond Heavies), Joan Shelley, Soledad Brothers, Tweens and Wussy. This year, Friday night will have more of a hip-hop/dance flavor, with Open Mike Eagle as the headliner, and Saturday will be more rock and psych-garage, with bands like Eye, Motel Beds and local punk band The Dopamines wrapping up the night.
 
The two-day festival starts at 7 p.m. on June 24. For the full schedule of artists, visit Northside Music Fest’s website.
 
If you can’t make it to Northside Music Fest, there will be more free live music at the Northside Rock ‘n’ Roll Carnival July 1-4.