Kristen's Concert Picks: Get ready for a rad September!

September has already rocked its way into our lives, but this tune-filled month certainly isn't finished with us yet!  The music awaits you...

Fri, September 7: Saint Francis & The Breaks @ 8 PM @ New Earth Music Hall

I caught both of these rockin' southern style bands for the first time at this year's Athfest.  See 'em for yourself over at New Earth!

Mon, September 10: Yo Soybean @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 

Craving a different sort of southern rock?  Then Yo Soybean's your band!

Tue, September 11: Turf War @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

You'll just love Turf War's fun rock sound!

Fri, September 14: Betsy Kingston and the Crowns @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

You haven't seen passion until you've caught Betsy Kingston and the Crowns in action!  Get yourself to this show!

Sat, September 15: The Orkids @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

The Orkids are back!  You know you've been dying for another taste of their upbeat pop sound.  Don't miss this blog favorite over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, September 15: Cicada Rhythm @ 11:30 PM @ Farm 255

Cicada Rhythm's folk vocals have a unique lilt that you'll just love!

Mon, September 17: Thayer Sarrano @ 9 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 

You've never heard anything like Thayer Sarrano's sweet speech-style vocals.  Bask in her awesome sound!

Thu, September 20: Ruby Kendrick @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ruby Kendrick always serves up some sweet pop rock melodies.  See her at the Caledonia Lounge!

Fri, September 21: Viking Progress @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

These indie rockers bring their sound to a whole new level with some wild acoustic distortion.  Excellent!

Sat, September 29: Grass Giraffes @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ready to end the month with some insane fun?  Head on over to the Caledonia for a nice, heaping dose of Grass Giraffes!

Wow, what a month this will be!  If you're eagerly awaiting any other awesome local shows, let the world know about 'em in the comments below.  Happy listening, everyone!

Kristen's Concert Picks: August rocks the fans back to Athens!

You feel a strange yearning coming over you. The soft winds of August are urging you back into the Athens town.  The rock awaits you!

Thu, August 2: Manray @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Get your fill of noise rock with Manray.  This town just can't get enough of these guys!

Thu, August 2: Yo Soybean @ 11 PM @ Farm 255

Need some solid southern rock in your life?  Of course you do!  Yo Soybean is bringing it to Farm 255 at the beginning of the month.

Fri, August 3: Boycycle @ 9 PM @ Flicker Theatre

Boycycle, the undefinable but undeniably awesome band we caught at Athfest this year, will be releasing a brand new album this Friday. You won't want to miss this show!

Sat, August 4: Viking Progress @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

You'll love the distorted acoustic rock of Viking Progress, for sure!

Wed, August 8: Indie Songwriter Summit @ 7:30 PM @ Melting Point

Relish in the talents of singer/songwriters Marie from Powerkompany/Venice is Sinking, Jay from Modern Skirts, Patrick from the Viking Progress, and more as they play the crowd into the inception of some of their most delectable songs.  This one's going to be quite a show!

Wed, August 8: Betsy Kingston and the Crowns @ 9 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

These guys are the physical manifestation of passion.  Get sucked into their incredible southern rock!

Fri, August 10: Brothers & Dead Confederate @ 10 PM @ 40 Watt

Brothers mixes it up with an indie pop take on classic rock while Dead Confederate knows how to serve up some amazing soft southern rock.  Catch 'em both over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, August 11: Stokeswood @ 9 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

I saw Stokeswood for the first time at this year's Athfest, and let me just say, I LOVE THIS BAND!  Don't miss your chance to catch these rockers in action.

Sat, August 11: Sam Sniper @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

Are you a fan of southern rock?  Well, then, you need to get yourself to the 40 Watt for the unique and quality stylings of Sam Sniper!

Sat, August 11: Tealvox @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Wow, this weekend's tunes are almost too spectacular to be believed.  For some of the best rock in town, you'll want to make your way to the Caledonia where Tealvox will be ruling the stage.

Mon August 13: Adron & Little Tybee @ 8 PM @ Melting Point

A free show over at the Melting Point featuring the massively talented singer Adron and the tunes of Little Tybee?  Sign me up!

Thu, August 23: Thayer Sarrano @ 8 PM @ WUOG 90.5FM 

I always revel in the unique, and Thayer Sarrano certainly sings her way into this category with her spoken melody.  Listen to her live in the radio station lobby or tune into 90.5 to hear her over the airwaves!

Sat, August 25: Cicada Rhythm @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Cicada Rhythm's lilting folk sound will fill your soul with joy.  See 'em over at the Georgia Theatre!

Tue, August 28: Grass Giraffes & Abandon the Earth Mission @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

Get ready to enjoy yourself with Grass Giraffes' brand of indie rock and the ethereal style of Abandon the Earth Mission!

Wed, August 29: Emily Hearn @ 8 PM @ Melting Point

One of the best singers I've heard in years, Emily Hearn is definitely a musician you'll want to hear!  I was just blown away by her sweet voice at Athfest this year.

Wow, looks like Athens has got some incredible tunes in store for us this August! Pumped for any other local shows this month?  Leave a comment below and tell us all about them.  Have an awesome month, my friends!  

Athfest 2012: Betsy Kingston and the Crowns and Bloodkin finish the show

Sunday, June 24th, 2012

Betsy Kingston and the Crowns & Bloodkin

By this time, I was pumped to be at Athfest regardless of the weather.  I had just seen some awesome acts on the Pulaski and Kidsfest Stages, and I was headed to the Hull Street Stage for Betsy Kingston and the Crowns.  Already in the middle of her set, Betsy and her talented band were passionately serving up some smooth, southern rock as I joined the crowd.  Immediately, I fell in love with her vocal style.  Throwing herself into every lyric, she and the Crowns put on a show that was deliciously intense and bursting with personality.  Basically, they rocked it out of the park!  Once their set had ended, I knew one thing for sure.  I had never had an Athfest Sunday more awesome than this one!

As I popped by the press tent for some sustenance before my trek back home, I caught a bit of Bloodkin's solid country rock.  The musicians milling around the press tent began dancing wildly to the tunes, to my utter delight.  Things like this make me fall in love with this town all over again. Then, walking out of the festival, I caught sight of a kid wearing a cardboard robot head.  Oh, the ridiculousness of Athens! It was just simply the perfect ending to Athfest 2012.

  For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2012, 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, check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well! 

Athfest 2012: Pictures, bands, and a dancing banana

We caught all sorts of wild sights at Athfest 2012, and now we've got pictures of all of 'em up on the Echoreyn of Athens Facebook page!  You can see some of our favorites below:

Like Totally intros the Flagpole Awards

Stokeswood lights up the night

Emily Hearn sings so sweetly

Reptar puts on an insane show

Betsy Kingston belts it out during her set

Want to see more?  Check out the full album on our Facebook page!

  For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2012, 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, check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!