Even those who couldn’t scream-sing the lyrics of “Ohio is For Lovers” by Dayton’s own Hawthorne Heights descended upon Riverbend Music Center for a unique experience for emo music lovers: the Ohio is For Lovers Festival. Not only was the festival a chance to walk down emo music memory lane (with performances from emo music standouts like Alkaline Trio, Jimmy Eat World, Underoath, Saosin, and, of course, Hawthorne Heights), but the festival also showcased local talent like SlutBomb, Lost Henry and Sign Language.

Keep scrolling for everything we saw while local and supporting acts took the stage at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival.

Photos by Vince Evans

Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Underoath performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
The Missed performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
State Champs performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Spitalfield performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
SlutBomb performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Sign Language performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Saosin performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Relient K performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Proper. performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Nox Novacula performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Motherfolk performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Lost Henry performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Lost Henry performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Lost Henry performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Lost Henry performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Lost Henry performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
KennyHoopla performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans
Emery performing at the Ohio is For Lovers Festival at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo: Vince Evans