The Homecoming music festival — presented by Indie Rock giants (and Cincinnati natives) The National and in conjunction with the long-running MusicNOW fest — was slated to return to Smale Riverfront Park May 8-9, 2020. But in a just-released statement, the band has said the concert is canceled.
"We made every attempt to reschedule Homecoming for 2020, however due to circumstances beyond our control, the festival will not take place this year as planned. Tickets will be automatically refunded at point of purchase and purchasers will be contacted in the coming days with more details on next steps and timing. We look forward to bringing the event back in 2021. Stay tuned and stay safe. Take care of yourself and each other and we'll see you soon."
Just like the fest's inaugural year in 2018, this year's Homecoming was scheduled to showcase some of the most acclaimed and popular artists in the Indie universe — and even a legit Rock & Roll legend.
As in 2018, The National was supposed to headline both nights of Homecoming, performing two different sets each night. On one of the nights, the band was going to perform its 2010 album High Violet in full for its 10th anniversary.
The rest of the lineup for the festival included the iconic Patti Smith, Sylvan Esso, Of Monsters and Men, Local Natives, Japanese Breakfast, Phosphorescent, Hamilton Leithauser, Jay Som, Velvet Negroni and Sudan Archives (who is also a Cincinnati native).
At 2018's Homecoming, local band A Delicate Motor performed. In 2020, Homecoming was going to showcase two Cincinnati groups — acclaimed rockers Wussy and Hip Hop/activist collective Triiibe.
“It’s great to invite our friends and fans to our hometown — the place where we all began our lives as listeners and musicians,” The National's Bryan Devendorf said in a press release. “Putting on this intimate event on the banks of the Ohio River is meaningful to us and our families. We are so very grateful.”
