Live Review: Nelsonville Music Festival 2011

With all the outpouring of adoration that has hit newsstands and blogs over the past week, it almost feels superfluous to give my spin on this year's Nelsonville Music Festival. For the second year running, I found myself involved in the organization and execution of this weekend of music, just a short drive away from my collegiate hometown of Athens, OH. As was the case last year, my duties throughout the weekend kept me away from a good deal of the music—I manned the festival's first press tent, providing a base of operations for all attending reporters and photographers. It goes without saying that this year's event was a larger beast than in years past—acts like the Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo and Neko Case bring with them an audience and press presence that previously would not have given the fest a second glance. In spite of that, Nelsonville managed to retain everything that has traditionally made it such a unique festival experience—namely, friendly people, an eclectic lineup and a welcoming, laid-back vibe.

Justin Townes Earle, Lost in the Trees and more join Nelsonville Music Festival line-up

With just under three months to go, the Nelsonville Music Festival has managed to ramp up anticipation even further with today's announcement of five more bands slated to appear at this year's event.

Joining the Friday night line-up is Justin Townes Earle, who will be fresh off of his tour supporting the Decemberists. Also appearing late on Friday night will be Colombian electro tropical group Bomba Estéreo and Californian psychedelic surf-rockers the Growlers. On Saturday, Chicago-based "circus punk marching band" Mucca Pazza will serve as the perfect appetizer to the over-the-top antics of the Flaming Lips later that evening. Finally, Sunday will see Chapel Hill folk orchestra Lost in the Trees taking the stage in Ohio once again after a recent appearance in Columbus at the Wexner Center.

Take another look at that those names—it's hard to deny that this is shaping one of the more diverse line-ups that this festival has ever hosted. And with over 25 more bands left to be announce, it's only going to get better. Snag those tickets—you don't want to miss this one.