Counting Down To On Air Fest
• For the first time, you will be able to experience the exclusive Brooklyn festival dedicated to the art of sound and storytelling when the fifth annual On Air Fest streams online for free this April 8-10. On Air Fest is designed for people who are invested in and inspired by the art of audio: Creative Professionals; storytellers; artists & musicians; podcasters & advertising industry leaders, listeners & fans.
This year’s headliners include Roxane Gay, Object of Sound’s Hanif Abdurraqib, mxmtoon, Open Mike Eagle, Adia Victoria, Rhiannon Giddens, Code Switch’s Shereen Marisol Meraji and Gene Demby, Song Exploder host Hrishikesh Hirway, Switched on Pop‘s Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding, The Nod‘s Brittany Luse & Eric Eddings, Today Explained‘s Sean Rameswaram, Broccoli Production’s Renay Richardson, Design Matters‘ own Debbie Millman, The Kitchen Sisters, and Hot Pod’s Nick Quah, all taking part in intimate conversations, performances, sound art, and live podcast recordings.
Each year, On Air Fest honors a creative icon whose work has advanced the culture of audio. and inspired a creative legacy with the presentation of the Audio Vanguard Award. Last year’s award was presented to Ira Glass, creator and host of This American Life — this year’s honoree is Terry Gross (left), the host of NPR’s Fresh Air, who will accept the 2021 Audio Vanguard Award at On Air Fest on Friday, April 9. “One of the most iconic interviewers of our time, Terry approaches each person she speaks to with a unique blend of intelligence, persistence, warmth, and curiosity,” said Scott Newman, Founder & Creative Director of work x work, the agency presenting On Air Fest. He added, “This year’s On Air Fest will be an inspiring, healing, and purposeful gathering for a global community of creators and listeners. Our goal is to create a magical space where inspiring storytellers, thinkers, and artists can help make sense of this moment.” [Photo credit: Jessica Kourkounis]
