Collected Live Reviews

July 25-28, 2024

The fourth edition of Nice, A Fest unfolded like the wings of a Targaryen dragon landing on Davis Square from Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28.

More music – we’re up to 80 acts in 2024, not counting DJs. Can’t count DJs. More stages – a third stage was added in addition to The Rockwell and Crystal Ballroom, outdoors, in the Grove Street Parking lot. The weather cooperated. More paeans of gratitude. Feel the love! More free Topo Chico (though, notably, less signature Grillo’s pickle juice mixed-drinks). More visuals from Digital Awareness, killing it as usual.

More vendors, more fanny packs, more ear mufflers for toddlers, more Wizard security, more schwag, more mechanized dill spears, more feeling awkward about using the word ‘nice’ in any context (even fitting ones!), more payment options, more retreads, more stage banter lamenting tuition debt incurred at Berklee College of Music…

Thursday’s kickoff included a lineup of war torn Nice veterans at Crystal Ballroom.

With Dutch Tulips, Haasan Barclay, Pink Navel, Rusty Mullet, and Sweet Petunia.

The fest wakes up, rubs its eyes, and scratches its ass on Friday.

With Ian Sweet, Hannah Mohan, Pet Fox, Mallcops, Addie, Alright Thanks, Axel & Lolo, Bus Crush, Chris Walton, Coco Smith, Hereboy, Impossible Dog, Jobie, Jake McKelvie, Little Fuss, Noble Dust, Tiberius, and TIFFY.

The three-headed monster rises at Grove Street Parking Lot on Saturday.

With Vundabar, Palehound, Bay Faction, Pile, Ovlov, Gymshorts, Divine Sweater, Hush Club, Layzi, A Day Without Love, Aubrey Haddard, Barefoot Young, Burp., Cheer Camp, Doss, Eph See, Goodkarma, Happy Just To See You, Hell Beach, Invisible Rays, JVK, Little Low, Makeout Palace, MK Naomi, Mom Rock, Nurse Joy, Ohio State Fair, Otis Shanty, Pink Slip, Sidebody, Supermarket Parking Lot, The Calendars, The Dead Friends Club, Tyler & the Names, and Viruette.

‘Denouement’ is a wonderful word that you learned in English class on Sunday.

With Model/Actriz, House of Harm, Gift, Lucy (Cooper B. Handy), Alex Walton, Animal Hospital, Cheem, Cherubhead, Corporeal, Joyer, Mercy Ruin, Misuser, Ribbon, Rougarou, Slow Quit, Summer Cult, The Collect Pond, The Rupert Selection, The Croaks, Vivid Bloom, Warmachine, Women In Peril, and Zip-Tie Handcuffs.