Athfest 2013: Summing up the festival!

What an Athfest!

It's almost a month later, and I'm still recovering from the awesome insanity. So many incredible bands!    Best of all, we've got some intense Athfest 2013 coverage of nearly every angle of the festival to help you relive all of your favorite parts.  Let's break it down, shall we...

Echoreyn of Athens' Athfest 2013 by the numbers

• 25 bands seen live
• 54 pictures
• 4 prep guides for Athfest
• 13 blogs
• 10 videos of live show footage
• At least 7 new bands I can't wait to see again!
• 2 more well-worn wristbands to add to my ever-growing Athfest collection
• 2 awesome press passes
• 1 crazy fun, tune-filled vlog (see above)

Want to reminisce or catch something new that you missed? Well, we've got all of those wild pictures up on our Facebook page, videos galore of some of the most amazing live shows including footage  from the final shows of both Modern Skirts and National Anthem plus tunes from The Whigs, Lera Lynn, Quiet Hounds, Ghost Owl and many more. And don't miss all of our up-to-the-minute details on our Twitter page!

  

You can also check out every bit of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, right here!

Hope your Athfest was as insanely spectacular as ours was.  Can't wait to to jump straight into Athfest 2014 next year!

Athfest 2013: A stormy but awesome grand finale with Lera Lynn and Dangfly!

Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 
 Lera Lynn
Dangfly!

Going to Athfest Sunday every year is like savoring a few sweet bites of dessert after a very filling meal.  That afternoon, I headed downtown to catch a couple bands I knew would not disappoint.  The first, Dangfly!, I had discovered during my forays into the thick internet jungle of local band websites, and I knew after sampling their online tunes that this band was one I just had to see.  Their quality rock entered my ears as I stepped over to the Hull Street Stage.  Fiddle and trumpet sounds soon joined the mix, and I've gotta say, I was just loving it!  Not much later, Betsy Franck, a singer whose powerful voice I've raved about ever since my first Athfest, stepped up to play a tune with the band.  What a combination!  The crowd, too, was fully enjoying the show, and one little girl up front was even air guitaring to the songs as if her life depended on it.  It was all just so good!

Heading back down to the Pulaski Stage, I weaved my way through the Sunday afternoon Athfest-goers, most of whom seemed to be with their families.  It's so awesome to see all these kids growing up with live music!  Seating myself in the shaded wristband area beside the stage, I saw a bit of Bloodkin's southern rock set and just had to smile as I watched one guy in the crowd dancing exuberantly to the music.

A while later, it was time for yet another musician I've heard and loved during Athfests past, Lera Lynn!  This singer always knows how to rock, and her strength of tune knows no bounds. Although I was totally pumped to see her, I couldn't help but experience a bit of trepidation as storm clouds rolled in overhead.  People who've been on the scene for a couple of years will remember that the last time she played Pulaski Stage, her tunes were punctuated by a lighting strike that hit a local restaurant just a few yards away.  Sure enough, it soon began to rain on her Athfest 2013 set, but nothing could stop her band this time around.  Wind rustled through her hair like it was meant to happen as the band rocked through the storm, the pattering rain melding beautifully with their sweet, twangy sound.  Despite the raindrops, the crowd refused to seek shelter, not willing to miss a second of their tunes.  Cheering on the crowd for being such incredible fans, Lera Lynn declared "you guys deserve some whiskey" as she and the band launched into the second half of their set. And wow, their songs just kept getting better and better.  No one has a voice like hers!  As the rain slowly eased away, members of the crowd began to groove.  Among them, a couple beside the stage started swing dancing and a little girl wearing pink headphones and holding a banana, went spinning across the sidewalk in time with the music.  Young and old alike, the people of Athens weren't going to let a little thing like rain stop them from basking in the beauty and joy of Lera Lynn's set.

It was truly a perfect finish for Athfest 2013!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Getting wild at Wired

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 
 Wired Electronic Dance Festival

There's no better place than Athfest to delve into new tune-filled experiences! For the first time in the five years that I've been attending the festival, I discovered Wired, New Earth Music Hall's all-day electronic dance party.  The venue was separated into two different dance areas that fed off of each other as DJs on both sides spun their creative beats and tunes for the crowd.  As I entered New Earth, I was enthralled by the spectacular mix of color and sound that surrounded me.  My friend Tatiana and I chose a prime spot in front of DJ Sorted, one of Atlanta's best, and immersed ourselves in the amazing music and the dance, forgetting everything else.  Too often, we miss celebrating all of the talented DJs in the scene, but truly, this adventure proved yet again that what they create is more than just layers of beats and tones.  It's an art form!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Rockin' the noise at the Caledonia with National Anthem and Powder Room

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013  
 National Anthem
Powder Room
Hot Breath

The madness at the Caledonia on Athfest Saturday was just beginning.  Since the lineup that night looked positively incredible, I made myself comfortable at the venue and settled in for an evening of thunderous noise rock.  Hot Breath was up first, and they definitely fit the bill as far as decibels were concerned.  These masters of doom headbanged their way through a set rife with screaming garage rock and heavy sound.

Then National Anthem, a band I've been dying to see for quite a while, took the stage.  Throwing themselves energetically into an insane set of instrumental rock, these guys had the crowd with them from the very beginning.  Jace Bartet, best known as the member of Reptar who went totally hardcore and rocked his way through a monstrous face wound at last year's Athfest, brought the same famous enthusiasm to the table in this set.  And wow, the band's talent was purely incredible.  Every tune twisted through soundscapes with wild abandon, never veering off course but always venturing into the realm of the unexpected.  Often a solely instrumental band feels like it is lacking a singer, but in National Anthem's case, the music spoke for itself.  Several other members of Reptar were going crazy for their style in the front row, and they certainly weren't the only ones.  Fans packed into the venue, diving straight into their fun sound, and I was about ready to declare this band one of my new top favorites.  Of course, continuing my streak of having rather terrible luck with picking favorites, almost immediately after I made this decision, the band announced that this was actually going to be their final show.  Oh so tragic!  I've gotta to say though, even if it was their last, I'm so pumped I got to hear them before the end.  This, you guys, was one of the very best!

Up next, Powder Room, quite possibly the loudest of the bunch, followed with a serving of their darkly melodic trance noise. Drum beats shook the fans to their cores as the band's yells echoed in their ears.  The crowd responded with almost animal joy, going nuts for those up onstage. Then, as is fitting for a night of the loudest of rock, top favorite band Bambara finished out my Caledonia spree with what can only be described as a thrilling explosion of metaphorical death.

Truly, it was an unforgettable ear-blasting evening!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Maserati draws in the crowds

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 
 Maserati

You know something amazing has got to be happening when a venue hits capacity before the official evening shows even start.  As the grand finale for their Dirty Athens day party, the Caledonia Lounge brought in much-buzzed-about band Maserati, and the crowds poured in.  By the time I arrived, the line wound through the gate and halfway across the parking lot.  Luckily, gates and crowds couldn't hold in Maserati's hard, driving rock.   Their high quality noise engulfed us all in an incredible blast of sound.  Truly, even from outside of the Caledonia, their show was nothing short of an explosive experience!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Ghost Owl scares up some awesome tunes!

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 
Ghost Owl

Ghost Owl was up next, and I've got to say, I've already heard tons of buzz about these guys. Composed of former members of Perpetual Groove, this new incarnation has only been around for a few months, but you'd never know it.  These guys were all set to blow us away!  As they prepped for the show, blasts of noise issued from the stage giving me little doubt that what to come was going to be quite an experience.  And what an experience it was!  Massive and commanding beats joined the keys and some rare, awesome vocal harmonies to create a rad bit of an electronic jam vibe. My friend Andy remarked that these songs would be perfect to intro a video game, and I totally agree.  Their tunes just oozed power, and the crowd ate it up.  Some of their fans were so immersed in the music, they even seemed to enter into an enthusiasm-fueled trance.  But they weren't the only members of the crowd who fell under Ghost Owl's spell.  One of the band's songs had a bass track so intense, the whole audience just had to groove along.  What a wild show!  I can't wait to catch these guys in action again.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: A slice of southern sound with Sam Sniper, Mama's Love, and Dank Sinatra

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 
Sam Sniper 
Mama's Love 
Dank Sinatra

It's just been way too long since I've caught blog favorite Sam Sniper live.  Boy, was it good to be back!  Arriving just in time to hear the tune "Comfortable Hypocrisy," undoubtedly one of their very best, I settled in for a set of their awesome, one-of-a-kind southern rock. Jamming out a mix of familiar songs and brand new ones, they had all the fans pumped for more.  Everyone in the street got into their sound, and I even heard some people in front of me say that they had no doubt these guys would be big one day.  As their music mingled with yells of appreciation and joy from the crowd, I had agree.  Sam Sniper definitely has an incredible style!


Moments later, I found myself back at the main stage for a bit more folk rock, this time courtesy of Mama's Love.  With a fiddle added to the mix, their tunes were ripe for dancing!  Then it was back to that intimate pocket of Athfest that is the Hull Street stage for Dank Sinatra.  Their driving hard rock sound with a touch of distortion had me all smiles. They got the fans hooked early in their set, and there was even more excitement as the band added a taste of southern spice to their tunes.  Man, Athfest always has such amazing lineups on the outdoor stages!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Dirty Athens or Pulaski? Time for some stage hopping!

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 
Dirty Athens Day Party
 Shonna Tucker and Eyecandy

Full of anticipation and craving even more wild tunes after my rockin' Friday night, I made my way downtown for Athfest early Saturday afternoon.  Before heading to the main stage, I stopped by the Caledonia Lounge's annual Dirty Athens day party, my favorite place to find shade with my tunes during the festival.  It seems a whole lot of people had the same idea I did.  The place was packed!  No surprise really, though.  You can't go wrong with quality bands, a roof overhead, and even some free food. Deciding to stay a while, I caught a bit of their awesome lineup including loud indie rockers Tater Zandra and poppy experimental dreamers Co Co Ri Co, a fun project featuring half of the members of Reptar.

Then I turned the corner and stepped on over to the Pulaski Street stage to hear a bit of Shonna Tucker and Eyecandy.  Her take on southern country rock certainly hit the spot. And speaking of hitting the spot, I caught a glimpse of the giant Menchies  icon dancing along to the band's songs as well.  Athfest Saturday was definitely off to a great start!  I couldn't wait to find out what else the day had in store for me.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: The Whigs rock through the night

Friday, June 21st, 2013 
 The Whigs

You can never get to a show too early. That's my mantra, and I'm sticking with it (despite the fact that I have been proven wrong many a time). On Friday, though, the clock was on my side as I stepped into the 40 Watt line, eager to secure my spot for the Whigs' show.  Before I knew it, I was through the door just before Athfest regulars Buxton stepped onstage.  These quality southern rockers from Texas are staples at the festival, and I've managed to see them in action every year for the past three years.  Definitely cool to run into them again!

Then it was the Whigs' turn.  Long before they jumped onstage, the crowd started chanting along to the familiar Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop.  This being my first opportunity to catch the Whigs live, I quickly determined that this was some sort of tradition, and my suspicions were proven correct as the band emerged to a recording of that very chant.  Launching into their hardcore southern rock set amidst an awe-inspiring show of lights, the band gave the crowd tune after awesome tune.  Fans flowed into the venue steadily, pumped for more, until the 40 Watt was completely packed. The earth-shaking bass and drums energized the crowd as they sang along to nearly every lyric, urging on the band who stretched their set to please the eager fans.  Around 1 AM, the floor cleared a bit as those trying to catch both the Whigs and Reptar in one night headed for the Georgia Theatre to (probably unsuccessfully) plead their way into the at-capacity venue.  However, those who stayed were treated to even more incredible tunes as the band transcended into what can only be described as psych drone territory.  Brilliant!  It was a long set but definitely a rad one.  What a night!

Leaving the venue, exhausted but enthused, I headed home for the night, passing some guy outside who shouted to me "surfing the E.A.C., dude" in Crush the Turtle's voice from Finding Nemo.  Weird but hilarious at the same time!  Simply put, Athens is awesome.


For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Discoveries, tunes, and late night wanderings

Friday, June 21st, 2013 
 Late Night Wanderings

Enthralled and even a little shell-shocked by the Modern Skirts experience, I traversed the streets of downtown looking for my next music fix.  Rather than simply choosing just one band's set, I decided to use my time to sample the tunes of many.  My first stop was Little Kings where I encountered Adam Klein and the Wild Fires putting on a show chock full of solid country folk with a touch of rock.  My whims next took me over to Ciné where Eureka California was sharing their indie rock style with a small crowd of fun-loving fans.  With a smile on my face, I let my ears lead me once again, and I soon found myself over at Farm255.  Onstage, the talented band rocked a funky sort of sound, and I just had to stay and hear a bit more.  I never did find out exactly who they were.  They could've been the newly formed Wu Stains Clan or some as-of-yet unknown band, but that's the beauty of Athfest.  Some of my favorite parts of the annual festival come from just feeling the music and rejoicing in the mystery and discovery of it all!  It was quite a sweet adventure and definitely an awesome way to get pumped for the final show of Athfest Friday night.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Modern Skirts bid Athens farewell

Friday, June 21st, 2013 
 Modern Skirts

As darkness fell over the city on Friday evening, an era in Athens music came to an end.  Modern Skirts, longtime rulers of the local music scene and beyond, played their final show together under the bright lights of the Pulaski Stage, the crowd hanging onto every last note.  After a touching intro, the band rocked it out with an insane level of tangible enthusiasm that the fans matched with their wild excitement.  Tossing a chorus over to the crowd, the fans sang the words back to the band they loved, filling each lyric with joy and energy. Then with great gusto, singer Jay smashed his maracas, spraying beans all over the stage as the bass reverberated up through the entire street.  Kneeling on the road in the press area, I felt the music and the beat wind it's way through me, immersing me in a full body rock experience.  The fans felt it too as they danced along gleefully, obviously relishing every minute of the show.  Just before leaving in the interim before the encore, drummer John jumped offstage to gift his drumsticks to one of their most passionate fans.  Screaming like a banshee, she accepted them with an expression of awe on her face.  Gotta love a band that cares so much about the people who have loved and supported them all of these years!

As they returned for their encore and struck up their final tune of the show, Jay gave a heartfelt dedication to the song, declaring, "This is for us and you and everybody."  Deafening cheers rose up as the band finished their song and gathered onstage for the very last time as the Modern Skirts.  There truly could not have been a more perfect send off!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Quiet Hounds emerge through a pink haze

Friday, June 21st, 2013 
 Quiet Hounds

After checking out another set of White Violet's soft quality rock (always worth a listen!), I made my way towards the main stage for Quiet Hounds.  I've been hearing buzz about this band for a while now, but nothing quite prepared me for the billowing pink smoke that rose from the stage as the band members, all sporting creature masks, began their show.  Soft indie rock with a slight gothic touch was their style, and they fully owned it, tune after tune a showcase of their mad talent and every song better than the last.  As cool breezes began wafting through the crowd, I felt like I could stand there all day, rocking out to their awesome sound. No doubt about it, Quiet Hounds was one of my absolute favorite discoveries from Athfest 2013!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: Ceiling Fan and The Warm Fuzzies get things going

Friday, June 21st, 2013 

 Ceiling Fan
The Warm Fuzzies

Pumped and ready for all the bands and sounds that awaited me, I headed over to Pulaski Street just in time to catch the very start of Athfest 2013.  Nineties rockers Ceiling Fan made for an upbeat beginning to my fifth visit to the festival with a wonderfully fun set, proving once and for all that, yes, Athens music has always been that awesome!  They rocked out a wild roller coaster of tunes and even included one song that mixed in a bit of whimsical whistling.

Then it was time to walk on up to the Hull Street Stage to catch a longtime favorite we haven't seen in quite a while.  The Warm Fuzzies!  These guys were as smile-inducing as always, serving up a rad set of their bouncy electronic indie tunes with a touch of pop punk.  Man, even their song about death had a dance beat and a fun sort of spin to it.  There couldn't be two bands more perfect to kick off the festival!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Athfest 2013: the ever-insane Flagpole Athens Music Awards

Thursday, June 20th, 2013 

 Flagpole Athens Music Awards show 

Zombies and bands and ghosts, oh my!  Nobody does it like Athens when it comes to award shows.

The Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2013 kicked off the festivities with an eerie and awesomely theatrical performance by Brett Vaughn and the Miracle of Human Sound starring local musican Kayez along with several ghostly dancers and featuring Modern Skirts drummer John Swint and local folk rockers The Skipperdees.  What a sight!  Lights flickered in the darkness as a young woman, dressed in white and covered in blood, rose from the dead as the night began, setting the tone for what would be a haunting, wild, and utterly unique show.

Jazz masters and house band Kenosha Kid played us through the night, winning the first of the coveted awards for yet another year in a row.  And just when we weren't expecting it, punk zombies came out in full force as T. Hardy Morris leapt off a balcony to accept Dead Confederate's award for Heavy Rock.  Later on, the Barlettas proved themselves a band to watch when they nabbed Upstart of the Year.  And New Madrid cleaned house, getting both Album of the Year and Artist of the Year.

When it came to music, it was impossible to pick a favorite set of the night!  Soft and sweet Dream Boat gave us a taste of their amazing, soothing tunes. Then Jubee and the Morning Afters blew us away with their soulful hip hop layered over smooth rock. After that, Dead Confederate's ever-talented singer T. Hardy Morris brought his slow and sorrowful sound into the mix.  Man, I just can't get enough of his voice!

Hands down, the best segment of the show, though, was the unveiling of the two Music Video Award winners.  If you haven't seen Obvious Signs by Grape Soda yet, you've got to check this one out!  Live action, animation, and ghosts... What could beat that?  And Audience Choice Video went to Flames of Love by Spencer.  With a twist you'll never be able to anticipate, this video had the crowd practically bawling with laughter.  Great stuff!

All in all, it was a celebration of our town and of all of our unbelievable local talents, both big and small.  What a night!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you can check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Kristen's Concert Picks: Forget the heat with July's wild tunes!

Finally recovered from all of June's insane shows and yearning to fill your ears with more spectacular tunes?  Well, July's got some wild shows in store for us too.  Don't miss these awesome bands!

Mondays in July: Kenosha Kid @ 8 PM @ World Famous

The ever-amazing jazz band Kenosha Kid continues its residency over at the World Famous every Monday in July.  Kick off your weeks with these guys!

Sat, July 13: Ruby the Rabbitfoot @ TBA @ Caledonia Lounge
Upbeat and sweet, Ruby the Rabbitfoot's sound is sure to satisfy your cravings!

Fri, July 19: Dangfly! & Efren @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

Efren's gritty folk rock style has made them a longtime blog favorite, and after catching Dangfly!'s incredible eclectic rock set at this year's Athfest, we certainly can't wait to see them again.  What a lineup!

Fri, July 19: Stokeswood & Jubee and the Morning After @ 10 PM @ Georgia Theatre Rooftop

Hands down, our favorite discovery of Athfest 2012 was the mind-blowingly awesome Atlanta rock band Stokeswood, and the soulful hip hop act Jubee and the Morning After left us cheering our heads off at this year's festival.  Awesome combination (and FREE show too)!

Sat, July 20: Camp Amped Grand Finale @ 7 PM @ Nuçi's Space

Bring your whole family and friends out to support some of Athens' emerging musicians at Camp Amped's free July session Grand Finale!

Sat, July 20: John French and the Bastilles @ 8 PM @ World Famous

Soft pop mingles with quality southern rock in every show featuring John French and the Bastilles.  Check 'em out!

Mon, July 22: The Skipperdees @ 10 PM @ Flicker Theatre

Oozing with talent, the Skipperdees soft, twangy tunes are sure to leave you begging for more!

Fri, July 26: Tealvox @ TBA @ Caledonia Lounge 

Head on over to the Caledonia near the end of the month for some undeniably amazing rock courtesy of blog favorites Tealvox!

Wow, this month has got a whole bunch of can't-miss shows!  Got news of another rockin' local set you're just dying to see?  Comment below, and let everybody in on the details.  Have a crazy one, you guys!