Oakland Music Festival was a Premium, Bangin’ Event Not to Miss

Last week was the 4th annual OMF (Oakland Music Festival for those that don’t know) and, hot damn, was it an intensely packed week of much of the glorious local music Oakland has to offer.  This year’s festival set up completely different from last year’s event; which was an all day, into the night, amazing party held in the streets of downtown Oakland all packed into one day, three stages, and a lot of local artists spay painting on the street between local food vendors.

Where this year lacked in the local print and street art, it made up for in showcasing local businesses, shops, and music venues. Admittedly the show schedule was a bit confusing, but I think the point was to offer up more time for a more diverse pool of artist and to really show case all the cool little spots Oakland has to offer for music, drinks, and awesome times.

I wish I could have made all the shows this week, but I am only one person with a day job that enjoys drinks and can’t keep pretending to pick up pens under my desk for 20 minutes at a time every day….so, here are some of the events I was able to make:

Era Art Bar & Lounge –  Oct. 5- Scott Charles Morgan/ Prozac Turner/ Anthony Ant w/ his Allstar Ban/ Gabriela/Mooncandy

OMF Described this night as: If you can stuff one night of Funk / Blues / Electronic / Soul / Hip Hop / Jazz into one night, this is it! Quintessential Town SH!@t!

They weren’t lying! This night was funky and moody, totally dug it. This line up reminded me how fun a good funk/soul/jazz night night can be. All the performers knew each other for years and it showed in their performing on the tiny stage at Era. Everyone was just grooving and having a great time.

Eli’s Mile High Club – Constellations FT. Heylove / Byron the Aquarius / Nina Sol / Sol &  Nick Catchdubs / Another Party Fam / Trackademicks / L-Deez

OMF Described this night as: The eclectic super-vibe curators of Constellations are connecting you spiritually to Atlanta and Inglewood with the invitation of featured artists SiR, and Byron the Aquarius (Wild Oats / Sound Signature). Soul, Beats, Boogie, Disco, House.  Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Fool’s Gold Records to the Town! A-Trak’s right hand man and label co-founder Nick Catchdubs headlines a night of debauchery at the historic Eli’s Mile High Club. A rager on the inside, chill vibes outside on the patio, Brooklyn and Oakland never seemed so close until now.

The music was bumpin this night and this place is so fun!!!! Everyone that was on that night was so good at feeling the vibe of the crowd, then kickin that shit up!

Eli’s is newly updated and has space in the front for dancing and a huge back patio to play and connect. Two bars, awesome art everywhere. Do not pass the place up the next time you’re feeling like having a good time (and good tots, oh gawd…the tots).

Classic Cars West – Tambo Rays / 8Ulentina / Big Baby Gandhi / Trill Team 6 / Namaste Shawty / Fela Kutchi

OMF Described this night as: Set against one of Oakland’s most unique venues in the form of a  boutique vintage car showroom and multi dimensional gallery/art space — plus the launch of Oakland’s newest clothing shop 411. Headlined by local indie pop rockers The Tambo Rays and Club Chai’s 8ulentina, we’re closing out the week in style. Enjoy a full selection of local craft beers on tap in the outdoor beer garden a raise a glass to OMF 2016’s closeout event, hosted in collaboration with 411 Oakland.

Another super chill spot that definitely shouldn’t be missed.  Though the mood of this final event was really mellow, the music was perfectly vibing.

If you can, make it a priority to make it to OMF next year, in whatever form it chooses to take on next time.