CONCERT COVERAGE, FEATURES, FESTIVALSMat SchladenSeptember 16, 2023Comment

OHIO IS FOR LOVERS FEST AT RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER IN CINCINNATI

CONCERT COVERAGE, FEATURES, FESTIVALSMat SchladenSeptember 16, 2023Comment

“Is For Lovers”, the national touring festival put on by the emo music scene legends Hawthorne Heights, has returned for their second year. Making use of the two large amphitheaters along with a smaller stage in-between. This year's fest included bands most “elder emos” grew up loving such as Jimmy Eat World, Saosin, and Underoath, along with Hawthorne Heights themselves. Additionally, the fest brings on several smaller and local acts around Cincinnati such as Sign Language, Lost Henry, Knavery, and Life In Idle.

Though half the size of Warped Tour, the feeling of rushing around between stages to make sure you don’t miss one of your favorite bands is still very much intact. I found myself frustrated that I would only be able to watch 10 minutes of the Sign Language set before rushing over to the Casey Calvert Stage to make sure I wasn’t late to watch the Hawthorne Heights set. Along with the 24 performing acts there were other sights to see and participate in such as “MySpace Your Face”, a makeover tent that allowed you to bring back your heavy eyeshadow self from the 2000’s, acompanied by “Dunk the Punk” charity dunk tank.

Personal Highlights: Sign Language, Hawthorne Heights, and Emery.

Before rushing over to watch Hawthorne Heights I had to make sure I got to watch Sign Language. The Cincinnati based Shoegaze band has been on the come up as of recent by signing to Sunday Drive Records to release their first full-length Madison & Floral. The band’s excitement to have the opportunity to play the fest definitely radiated from their set.

Hawthorne Heights’ performance was one not to miss. They played songs off their latest release all while taking you back to their glory days by playing “Saying Sorry”, “Niki Fm”, and of course, “Ohio Is For Lovers”. Let it be known that there is just something so special about witnessing the song “Ohio Is For Lovers” being played in Ohio. From everyone in the amphitheater shouting back every single word, to the band proclaiming it should be Ohio's official state song, there was also a special guest joining during the chorus, Emo’s Not Dead’s own Matt Cutshall.

Next up was Emery. Never had I witnessed a band with members that have been playing music as long as they have and sporting immaculate gray hair give such a high energy performance. Josh Head, the band's keyboardist/harsh vocalist, gave off more stage energy than an early 20 year old playing the same style of music. Between pounding on the keys to jumping off the stage to stand on the barricade just to get in the face of every fan so they could join in on screaming the lyrics. Truly an amazing performance.