What is NEMO? Well, it’s not an acronym – it’s just a word that the producer, Candace Avery, liked. So, what is NEMO? It is a three-day music festival and a two-day music conference held throughout our fair city.
Opening on Thursday, April 13, with the 14th annual Kahlua Boston Music Awards at the Orpheum Theater, the festival continues for two more nights at venues throughout Boston. Bands showcased on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (April 13, 14 and 15) include Godsmack and the Push Stars along with locals like the Gravel Pit, Melissa Ferrick and Angry Salad. In total, almost 250 major label, indie and unsigned bands will perform all types of music in 20 venues everywhere from the House of Blues in Cambridge to Harper’s Ferry around the corner from Commonwealth Ave.
The NEMO music conference will take place over that Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15. From the keynote speaker, Ahmet Ertegun, Founder, Co-Chairman/ Co-CEO of Atlantic Records, to panels, workshops, clinics and mentor sessions, there will be much to do for those in the music business. Panel topics include “Starting an Indie Label” and “Alternative Careers in Music,” and the 50-capacity interactive workshops promise to teach how to find a good manager, get bookings and more. If the workshops and clinics aren’t enough, the demo listening sessions allow up-and-coming artists to get professional opinions on their demo tapes and CDs. NEMO rounds out the list of events with the all-day acoustic music stage and the trade show which take place both Friday and Saturday.
Buying tickets for all these events gets a bit tricky, but students get a break with the $70 general pass which includes the Kahlua Music Awards, the conference events and all of the showcase concerts excluding Godsmack on Saturday, April 15, at the Axis (a separate $20 ticket through NEXT Ticketing is required). If you only want to witness the Awards show, tickets range from $13-$50 and can be bought at the Orpheum box office or through Ticketmaster. A wristband for all showcase concerts (again excluding Godsmack on Saturday) is available for $20 and if you just want to see a show or two, you can buy an individual ticket at the venue for around $7.
The NEMO music festival and conference promise plenty of opportunities to learn about and get involved in the music business in Boston. Even if you are simply looking for a good concert, NEMO is a great chance to discover your new favorite band or taste a new genre of music. For a complete list of bands and venues, as well as a schedule of events and more information, check out www.nemoboston.com.
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