Neon Reverb a labor of love

Though the Neon Reverb music festival debuted just one September ago, the multiday event has undergone quite a growth spurt, going from infancy to adolescence in swift fashion.

With its third installment kicking off tonight, Neon Reverb now encompasses more than 100 local and national bands at close to a dozen venues spread out all over town.

What’s new this go-round? More clubs in the mix for starters, with places such as Boomers, the Hard Rock Cafe, the Gypsy Den and the Square Apple, among others, joining the festivities. There’s also more promoters involved, and Clydesdale bassist Jason Aragon has joined Neon Reverb founders Thirry Harlin and James Woodbridge as a partner in the event, all of which has helped foster Neon Reverb’s most diverse lineup yet, with some straight-up metal, punk and blues acts joining the fray.

"We’ve always tried to be really inclusive in terms of music," Woodbridge says, "So even if, say, I don’t really know much about the punk scene, somebody does. Neon Reverb is a team effort, so different people at different times come onboard and become part of the team."

When it first kicked off a year ago, Neon Reverb was centered downtown and catered mostly to an indie rock crowd. In growing to include venues across Vegas, Neon Reverb has had to confront the challenge of trying to maintain a music fest vibe without shows always being in close proximity with one another, so fans can easily bounce around from gig to gig. To help facilitate a little bit more mobility this time, fest organizers have gotten an 18-passenger van with a driver that will run on a loop from the Bunkhouse to the Aruba to the Beauty Bar for free to at least make show-hopping a little easier in that part of town.

What has remained constant with Neon Reverb, however, is a superb roster of acts that currently includes can’t-miss sets from psych-rock favorites The Warlocks, promising up-and-comers such as The Most Serene Republic and The Morning After Girls, the aforementioned Clydesdale hosting a CD release show for their fourth disc and a return from San Francisco’s psychedelic flame throwers Leopold and His Fiction, who were one of the highlights of the last Neon Reverb with an explosive showing at the Aruba in March.

Perhaps the best thing about Neon Reverb though, is the heightened sense of community its begun to foster in the local music ranks. To wit, some acts like the Afghan Raiders, a Crowd of Small Adventures and more are actually playing for free just to keep things moving forward. For the folks behind this nonprofit venture, Neon Reverb is a labor of love, and now they’re getting some of that love in return.

"That’s amazing to have starving musicians have your back like that," Woodbridge says. "Just to have bands show us that much support is amazing."

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.