Let’s be honest. Images of Eugene do not typically involve visions of swift lyricism and deft word play. But the groups performing at tonight’s Northwest Lyrical Fest will claim otherwise. Not only does our drowsy little college town have a scene of local artists who like to rap, they even kick up a mean flow.
After a four-year break, Northwest Lyrical Fest is back, thanks to the determination and enthusiasm of one University student, Phil Bauer. Bauer, as the key organizer, heads up the 14-group showcase tonight at the WOW Hall. In addition to organizing the event, Bauer will be a performer in Strange Folks, a local hip-hop group.
This is the third Northwest Lyrical Fest to storm the WOW Hall, except this concert is a bit late — the last Lyrical Fest was in 1997. Bauer said that hip-hop generally develops in waves, so the four-year wait was for the new sounds and performers to step into the spotlight.
Northwest Lyrical Fest is composed of Eugene and Portland groups, and Bauer hopes to give listeners a sense of the city of Eugene and a taste of the state of Oregon.
The gathering is “a huge compilation of Oregon groups on stage at the same time,” Bauer said. “[This will] give local artists a chance to be seen and heard.”
The idea started as a desire to hold an event for his own group, Strange Folks, but Bauer decided to go all the way to include other local groups. He planned to create an event that will benefit new artists in performing and networking, while creating a community closeness for the artists at the same time.
Each of the 14 groups will play one to three songs on stage. There will be no headliners, just a fast-paced, crazy show.
Bauer performed in the second Lyrical Fest in 1997, which was organized by Blake “Big B” Schwab and Lorenzo Formet. Schwab is letting Bauer do most of the organizational work for this event and is simply providing guidance and advice.
When Schwab was organizing the shows, he intended for them to bring the community together at the WOW Hall. He wanted to stimulate the community aspect in a place where people under the age of 21 could enjoy the show as well.
“Any other place in town with live performances is a bar,” Schwab said.
Kristin Roller, booking manager for the WOW Hall, said they are “glad to have [the Northwest Lyrical Fest] back. Phil and Blake have done a great job putting it together.” The WOW Hall is supported by a large pool of volunteers.
As for the event’s possible future, Schwab wants to wait and see how tonight unfolds. But if all goes well, he hopes to make Northwest Lyrical Fest into a regular event, similar to the Eugene Celebration or the Willamette Folk Fest. Then, he may even take the Lyrical Fest on the road to support hip-hop artists around the state.
All proceeds from tonight’s show will be invested toward Northwest Lyrical Fest 4. Tickets are $8 pre-sale and $10 at the door. WOW Hall doors will open at 8:30 p.m. and the show will be from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.