The annual Old Main Music Festival returned April 20 at the Mississippi State University Amphitheater. The festival was run by MSU’s Music Makers Productions organization.
Two different stages were set up as the “Local Stage” and the “Main Stage”. The Local Stage hosted sets from Highway Hounds, Bored to Tears, Pink Sheets and Miss Blume, all of which are acts based in Mississippi.
The Main Stage housed performances from soul rock group Seratones, folk duo Shovels & Rope and indie pop band Saint Motel. Saint Motel is known for their single “My Type,” which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart in 2015.
Local Stage acts were live from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., accompanied by a selection of activities including giant hamster balls and an art market hosting artists from the Starkville area. Main Stage acts were on stage from 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Local food trucks Brown Bag Provisions and 44 Takeout were set up throughout the festival. A merchandise booth that held posters for the festival, as well as merchandise for the Main Stage bands was set up shortly before the acts began, giving fans the option to purchase t-shirts and physical releases of music from the artists.
The festivities attracted students for a variety of reasons. Among the students in attendance were junior biological sciences major Logan Whitehead and senior secondary education major Airy Valencia. Whitehead attended the festival during the Main Stage acts to see Saint Motel, while Valencia attended the Local Stage to see a friend perform in one of the bands.
Both Whitehead and Valencia stated that events such as these are opportunities for attendees to expand their music tastes and find previously unheard-of artists to listen to.
“The vibe is definitely different,” Valencia said.
Music Makers Productions student director Allyson Crocker emphasized the importance of the organization bringing a variety of artists to the area for the festival every year.
Every summer, MMP begins by putting together a rough timeline, choosing what genres are wanted for the event and finding a fitting venue on the Starkville campus. After a list of possible artists is gathered by a booking agent that works with MMP, research is done by the members to determine who would be most fitting in a lineup for the festival.
In their research, the group considers who is touring, streaming statistics of the artists and who is gaining popularity through observing metrics, such as social media trends.
“We really adore catching people off guard,” Crocker said in reference to students’ reaction to Saint Motel headlining this year’s event.
Both Crocker and upcoming MMP student director Sally Stafford shared how important it was for them to hold this event, effectively creating a space for the Starkville community to enjoy live music.
“I think it’s just really beautiful to see that sense of community build,” Stafford said.
“We genuinely believe that there is nothing more important than music,” Crocker added.
Stafford and Crocker also both shared their thoughts on the passion the group has for the community and how they can add to it with their events, expressing adoration for the love Starkville has for live music.
“[Music Makers Productions] has changed so much over the years, but our mission of bringing music to the Starkville community hasn’t changed,” Stafford said.
Indie pop band Saint Motel was the closing act of the day long festival.
