The inaugural Dallas Music District Festival (DMD) would have been better off taking a rain check. After having to relocate the festival due to flooding earlier in the week, the DMD team recovered quickly and found an outdoor hole-in-the-wall venue near the original location. But the new space didn’t meet needs, with unmarked parking areas and fields of 5-foot tall weeds. And with a lack of attendees, vendors and food, it didn’t get much better as the day wore on.
The shows began at 2 p.m., and by 6, only about 50 people were milling about despite sunny skies. The lineup remained intact and on schedule with the exception of two cancellations: Exit 380 and Leah Palmer. A handful of vendors selling jewelry and art lined the front entrance, and one lone food truck, Samson’s Gourmet Hot Dogs, fed attendees. The one ray of sunshine came in the form of delicious ice cream.
The evening lineup began with Denton’s own Jessie Frye. Known for her sunny pop style, Frye has attempted to reinvent herself in the last few years with a matured, breathy sound, jet-black hair and an edgier wardrobe. But these changes mask her potential by overshadowing her capable vocals and onstage energy. Despite the minimal headcount and disconnected style, Frye kept her chin up and worked the stage until the last note.
With only two acts to go a couple hours later, the festival finally gained some redemption with the help of Jonathan Tyler. The Dallas rocker took a 24-hour break from his tour with Butch Walker to play the DMD Fest with his band the Northern Lights.
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Tyler summed up the festival in just a few words: "I've never been to this field before, but it's a great place for a show."
Tyler is also reinventing himself by shedding his mainstream label and getting back to his Southern rock roots with the upcoming LP, Holy Smokes. His music has a simpler backyard feel now, with the same rough-around-the-edges tone built on a harmonica instead of foggy pedals. The focus has shifted to down-home jam sessions brimming with gorgeous guitar work and sharper keys -- and the guys wear it well.
Not the type to leave early, Tyler asked for an extended set when they neared the end.
By this time, it was apparent that the weather had gotten the best of the headlining performance art group known as ArcAttack. Their tesla coils and other various equipment was scattered around their stage in the back of the field, showing signs that it wasn't going to happen. Tyler took advantage and played for another 20 minutes.
This year was an imperfect storm for the inaugural DMD Festival.
Aside from the lack of the rain the day of, nothing went right and cost them dearly. Here's hoping the ambitious team can dust themselves off and start fresh in 2016.
Special Contributor Brenna Rushing is a Dallas freelance writer.
