Kristen's Concert Picks: Dance your way through December!

As the year comes to an end, our ears will ring joyfully with the final songs of 2013.  Come dance your way through December!

Tue, Dec 3: UGA Holiday Concert @ 8 PM @ Classic Center Theatre
Kick off the month and get yourself into the holiday spirit with a Holiday Concert courtesy of the UGA Symphony Orchestra!

Tuesdays in November: Kenosha Kid @ 9 PM @ Hendershot's Coffee
Every year Kenosha Kid wins the honor of best jazz band in town. If you haven't grooved to them yet, it's about time.  See them live at Hendershot's every Tuesday in December!

Wed, Dec 4: Cicada Rhythm @ 8 PM @ Melting Point
You'll just love the unique folk stylings of Cicada Rhythm!

Thu, Dec 5: SQUIDMAS @ 9 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 
WOW!  Doctor Squid, The Warm Fuzzies, AND The Skipperdees? With a lineup like this, it'll be a very Merry Squidmas indeed. You definitely won't want to miss this show!

Thu, Dec 5: Efren @ 10 PM @ Nowhere Bar
I've been following Efren's gritty sound since the beginning, and they're always worth a listen.  Check 'em out over at Nowhere Bar!

Thu, Dec 5: Yo Soybean, Madeline @ 10 PM @ Flicker Theatre
Yo Soybean will bring the rock and Madeline will add a touch of darkness to the night's southern-twinges tunes at the Flicker Theatre!

Fri, Dec 6: Abbey Road Live @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
Hey, all you Beatles fans out there…  You may have missed seeing the original band play a show, but Abbey Road Live keeps their sound going strong.  Catch these guys at the Melting Point on the 6th!

Sat, Dec 7: Holiday Yard Sale @ 11 AM - 5 PM @ 40 Watt
Ok, this may not be a show per say, but nothing says Athens like a yard sale at the 40 Watt while the bar is taking orders. Save money, schmooze, and booze at the Watt's Holiday Yard Sale this year!

Sat, Dec 7: Easter Island @ 10 PM @ The World Famous
Easter Island mixes drum beats and sweet vocals to create and awesome soft rock sound!

Sat, Dec 14: Thayer Sarrano @ 10 PM @ The World Famous
Thayer Sarrano weaves words into music in an incredibly unique and beautiful way.  Be sure to check out her show at the World Famous!

Thu, Dec 19: Dangfly @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre
One of my top Athfest favorites from this year, Dangfly's quality rock will definitely leave you dancing.  Best of all, this show is part of a free after-wedding celebration at the Georgia Theatre, so everyone is sure to be in a festive mood!

Sat, Dec 28: Brothers @ 10 PM @ Flicker Theatre
Classic meets indie when Brothers takes the stage.  See 'em over at Flicker near the end of the month!

Tue, Dec 31: The Whigs @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
The Whigs have got New Year's Eve covered with their hardcore southern rock sound!

Tue, Dec 31: New Year's Eve with Ghost Owl @ 10 PM @ The Green Room
Ghost Owl's powerful tunes and commanding beats will usher in the New Year like no other.  This show is sure to to be an awesome way to ring in 2014!

What a month this will be!  I can't believe it's almost 2014 already.  Just like always, if you've heard of another local show not listed here that you can't wait to attend, don't hesitate to comment below and let the world know all the details.  Make the most of this month, and I'll catch ya around town, my friends!

Kristen's Concert Picks: Rock your November!

Winds whisper of the changing season as they rustle the brilliant leaves from the trees.  Twisting melodies dance through the branches as well, eager to fill your ears with the sounds of November...

Fri, Nov 1: White Violet @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Soft rock with a touch of darkness, White Violet's show is an awesome way to kick off the month!

Sat, Nov 2: Dangfly! @ 10 PM @ Nowhere Bar
Even Dangfly!'s name is exciting.  Don't miss their fiddle- and trumpet-infused rock over at Nowhere Bar!

Mon, Nov 4: Thayer Sarrano @ 9 PM @ The Green Room
You've never heard anything like Thayer Sarrano's soft and sweet spoken melodies!

Tuesdays in November: Kenosha Kid @ 9 PM @ Hendershot's Coffee
People often call Kenosha Kid one of the best jazz bands in town.  That's because it's true.  See them live at Hendershot's every Tuesday in November!

Sat, Nov 9: Talkingto. @ 9 PM @ Echo
I've followed most of the members of Talkingto through their various incarnations over the years because they're all just so damn talented. Their mad skills shine through every name and style they adopt.  Hear their latest sound at Echo, the brand new venue in Farm255's former spot!

Sun, Nov 17: Ruby the Rabbitfoot @ 9 PM @ The World Famous
Ruby the Rabbitfoot's sweet and upbeat sound never fails to please!

Thu, Nov 21: Seven Handle Circus & The Skipperdees @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt
What a combination!  Both Seven Handle Circus and the Skipperdees will be serving up their best movement-inducing folk tunes at the 40 Watt on the 21st.  You won't want to miss this one!

Sat, Nov 23: Lullwater @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Hard rock with a folk twist, you're sure to love Lullwater's sound!

Wow, there's no doubt this month's shows will be amazing!  Eagerly awaiting another local show in November not listed here?  By all means, please share all the details in the comments below.  See you around town, my friends!

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!

Kristen's Concert Picks: June spices things up!

June is when loads of amazing bands journey to Athens to rock stages all over town. Athfest will be blasting our ears with awesome sounds near the end of the month, but that's not the only incredible show in store for us!

Sat, June 1: Athfest CD release party @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous

Nearly everything in June has a bit of Athfest flavor to it, so there's no better way to kick off the month than with this year's CD release party at the World Famous!

Sat, June 1: Madeline @ 9:00 PM @ Flicker Theatre

Don't miss your chance to get a taste of Madeline's dark southern melodies at Flicker Theatre!

Mon, June 3: Ruby the Rabbitfoot & Cicada Rhythm @ 6:00 PM @ Little Kings Shuffle Club

With a lineup featuring both Ruby the Rabbitfoot and Cicada Rhythm, this show is sure to be a delightfully sweet treat for the senses!

Mondays in June: Kenosha Kid @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous

One of the best jazz bands in Athens, Kenosha Kid continues their Monday residency at the World Famous this month!

Tues, June 4: Thayer Sarrano @ 7:00 PM @ State Botanical Garden

There's no doubt you'll fall in love with Thayer Sarrano's soft spoken song style.  What a perfect choice for a show at the Botanical Gardens!

Wed, June 5: Modern Skirts @ 8:00 PM @ Hendershot's Coffee Bar

Dying to catch as many Modern Skirts shows as possible before they rock their final stage at Athfest?  Well then, you're in luck.  The longtime Athens darlings will be playing another set earlier in the month at Hendershot's!

Thurs, June 6: Adron @ 10:30 PM @ Green Room

A touch of jazz flows through Adron's melodies, shaping her sound into one tailor made for vacations and relaxation.

Sat, June 8: Kyshona Armstrong @ 9:00 PM @ The World Famous

It's been a few years since I first heard Kyshona Armstrong live, and I still can't get over her powerful, soul-filled sound.  Check out her tunes at the World Famous!

Mon, June 10: The Skipperdees & Boycycle @ 8:00 PM @ Melting Point

You'll be in for a good old southern potluck of talent at the Athfest sampler Hoot over at the Melting Point.  Don't miss the quality folk tunes of the Skipperdees and the indescribable experience that is Boycycle's style!

Thurs, June 13: Efren @ 8:00 PM @ Georgia Theatre

With a hearty serving of folk rock and a side of southern grit, Efren's tunes will take you on a ride!

Sat, June 15: Sprockets Music Video Festival @ 8:00 PM @ 40 Watt 

A visual feast for the eyes awaits all who attend Sprockets Music Video Festival.  If you want to help choose which ones were the best of the best this year, this is the event for you!

Sat, June 15: Powerkompany, Cicada Rhythm @ 9:30 PM @ New Earth Music Hall

The lilting Cicada Rhythm is back for another show, this time with the string-led, ethereal Powerkompany!

Sat, June 15: Powder Room @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 
Longtime readers of the blog know just how much I love noise rock, and the Powder Room fits this bill to perfection!

Sat, June 15: Death on Two Wheels @ 11:00 PM @ Green Room 

It's been a while since I've caught heavy rockers Death on Two Wheels in action, and it'll be great to catch 'em live again!

Thurs, June 20: Flagpole Athens Music Awards @ 6:00 PM @ Morton Theatre

Start off your Athfest experience with Athens' own awards show celebrating the bands, the talents, and the utter uniqueness of our little town!

Thurs, June 20: Brothers @ 9:30 PM @ 40 Watt 

Once the Flagpole Athens Music Awards show ends, make the most of the night before the official festival begins at the Athfest Kickoff Party featuring the rockin' band Brothers. 

Fri - Sun, June 21 - 23: Athfest 2013 @ 5:00 PM @ All over Athens

Athfest 2013 is here!  If you've never been to Athens' biggest music festival, you definitely won't want to miss this one.  Hundreds of incredible bands will be playing all over town, and you're sure to have a wild time you'll never forget.  During the day, you can catch a rad outdoor lineup, and during the night, the venues come alive with every sound and style imaginable.  All you'll need is a wristband (which you can purchase here) to make the most of this amazing experience!

Fri, June 28: Tealvox @ 9:00 PM @ 40 Watt 

Finish out the month with one of my longtime favorites, the ever-talented Tealvox.  These rockers will blow you away!

This month is practically guaranteed to be spectacular!  I mean, look at all of the awesome shows in store for us on the 15th alone. Wild!  And that's not all.  In a few weeks, we'll be posting a special Athfest show picks list just for this year's incredible festival.  Got another local show in mind that's got you pumped?  Be sure to share all the deets in the comments below. Get ready to rock, my friends!

Kristen's Concert Picks: Blast off your summer with May's rockin' tunes!

Summer is coming. Prepare yourself... And get your party on with this month's lineup of awesome bands!

 Sat, May 4: Thayer Sarrano @ 10:00 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 
Take a break before finals and check out Thayer Sarrano's set.  You'll just love her unique voice and incredible sound!

 Sat, May 4: Athens Band @ 8:30 PM @ Melting Point

I hope you've already got your tickets for the Athens band because these young local favorites are playing a sold out show at the Melting Point on the 4th!

 Mondays in May 6 - 27: Kenosha Kid @ 8:30 PM @ The World Famous

My favorite jazz band in Athens takes up residency at the World Famous every Monday in May!  Trust me, you'll love the fun, upbeat, and sometimes quirky sound of the ever talented Kenosha Kid.

Fri, May 10: Easter Island @ 9:00 PM @ 40 Watt

Easter Island's smooth vocals and rhythmic drumming drive their sweet, melodic rock sound.  Catch them over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, May 18: White Violet & Brothers @ 9:00 PM @ 40 Watt

From soft rock to indie tunes, this lineup has it all.  Make the most of the end of the school year with a White Violet and Brothers combo!

Sat, May 18: Efren @ 9:30 PM @ Green Room

Efren's southern style rock will take over the Green Room on the 18th.  Don't miss them in action!

Thu, May 23: Powerkompany CD release @ 9:00 PM @ The World Famous

The otherworldly strength of Powerkompany's tunes sets them apart from the rest.  Hear their latest songs at their CD release party at the World Famous!

Thu, May 23: Cicada Rhythm @ 9:00 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

A free Cicada Rhythm show on the rooftop of the Georgia Theatre? Awesome.  Sounds like the perfect time to check out their unique folk style!

Fri, May 31: Manray @ 10:00 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 

Of course, there's no better way to finish the month than with those crazy noise rockers, Manray!

Are you guys ready for this?  Wow, May looks like it's going to be amazing!  As always, if you're totally pumped for another local show not listed here,  give the world all the details in the comments.  Have fun and go wild, my friends!

Athfest 2012: the always wild Flagpole Awards!

Thursday, June 21st, 2012 

Flagpole Athens Music Awards show

Dancing bananas?  Waving octopus arms?  Clowns throwing glow sticks?  No, you're not having a bad trip... it's the Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2012!

We've come to expect all sorts of ridiculous shenanigans at the Flagpole Awards ceremony every year, and this year's show was certainly no exception.

Traveling by time machine to get to the Morton Theatre, the wildly costumed band Like Totally kicked off the night with a short set of quirky tunes and enough glow bracelets for everyone in the crowd.  And that was only the beginning. Truly, the night was rife with classic Athens madness!  Hope for Agoldensummer accepted a win for Best Folk Group via speakerphone, presenter Jeff Tobias had an unnamed assistant give his speech for him, and Reptar insisted on Texas two-stepping across the stage to collect their second award of the night for Best Live Band.  Pure, beautiful insanity!

And the night got even more ridiculous from there.  Between house band and multiyear Best Jazz Band winners Kenosha Kid's pitch perfect covers of hits from every award winner to the impromptu rap performance and Humpty Hump dance from presenter/WUOG DJ Akeeme Martin, the show had me smiling from beginning to end.  I just loved having a small second taste of the sounds from indie rockers Viking Progress and masters of fun the Grass Giraffes, and I certainly enjoyed Cicada Rhythm's soft lilting folk vocals as well.  And the Sprocket's music video and audience choice winning videos?  Hilarious and awesomely made!

Undoubtably, one of the coolest parts of the night, though, was musician Kishi Bashi's incredible and fascinating performance!  Like an art installation for the eardrums, he created unique and complex melodies with just his voice and a violin, melodies that left the audience enthralled and in utter awe.  What an experience!  It was really no surprise that some guy yelled out, "Holy shit!" just before the audience got up to give Kishi Bashi a well-deserved standing ovation.  Indeed, the whole crowd, led by the show's host, joined together for a collective "holy shit" after that set!

And then, once Flagpole editor Michelle Gilzenrat Davis had introduced her successor Gabe Vodicka with a series of amusing quips and the band the District Attorneys had swept the awards including Band of Year, the Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2012 came to an end.

But, of course our first night of Athfest wouldn't be complete without the 40 Watt Kickoff Party!  White Violet, a band I've loved since the first time I saw them and who seem to just get more and more incredible as time goes on, were finishing up their set as I stepped in the door.  Then Texas act Buxton jumped onstage to give us a bit of their awesome southern rock before it was time to go home and rest up for the first official day of 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, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well! Also, for a complete list of winners of the Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2012, check out the AMJ blog!

Kristen's Concert Picks: The sounds of November waft in

For optimal viewing of these picks on a mobile device, click here!

Golden leaves flutter past your window as cool breezes pull them from their trees. Coats and boots become a fashion staple, and the scents of fall waft through the air. November has arrived, my friends, and with it comes an awesome selection of tunes!

Tues, Nov 1: Betsy Franck & Klezmer Local 42 @ 4 PM @ Little Kings
Powerful southern rock and a fun take on Hebrew-inspired tunes? What a mix!

Thu, Nov 3: Kenosha Kid & Grogus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Kenosha Kid, one of the best jazz bands in Athens, teams up with the dance-inducing sound of Grogus at the Georgia Theatre. Here's another can't-miss lineup!

Thu, Nov 3: Manray @ 9 PM @ Caledonia
Craving some dark, noise rock-flavored melodies? Then you'll definitely want to check out Manray at the Caledonia!

Wed, Nov 9: Spring Tigers @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
The electro-pop of the Spring Tigers will have you dancing in no time!

Wed, Nov 9: Magical Athens Talent Show @ 10 PM @ Go Bar
Our town is full of talent, and this show's got feats and acts of all kinds! Check out these crazy displays of skill, and help 'em raise a bit of money for Nuçi's Space while you're there!

Thu, Nov 10: Groove Tangent @ 8:30 PM @ 40 Watt
You've been missing the awesome covers and the classic 50s style original tunes of Groove Tangent, haven't you? It's the 'Watt to the rescue! This Thursday, join the band for a Redcoat Band benefit that's sure to be tons of fun!

Fri, Nov 11: White Violet @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
You won't be able to get enough of the solid, soft rock tunes of White Violet. Don't miss them over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, Nov 12: Powerkompany & Gold Party @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
The sweet, ethereal melodies of Powerkompany join with the awesome electronic indie sound of the Gold Party to create yet another amazing lineup!

Thu, Nov 17: Perpetual Groove @ 8 PM @ WUOG
Headliners of last year's Athfest, you can catch this band at WUOG and then on the Georgia Theatre stage the very next day!

Thu, Nov 17: Gift Horse @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Soft, dark rock complete with artsy projections is Gift Horse's way. Enjoy!

Thu, Nov 17: Sam Sniper @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
One of my current Athens favorites, Sam Sniper's funky take on southern rock will blow your mind. Head on over to the Caledonia to catch these guys in action!

Sat, Nov 26: Easter Island @ 9 PM @ Caledonia
When you return from your celebrations of food and family, Easter Island will be taking the Caledonia stage to serve up some rhythmic, soft rock melodies. Perfect!

What a November this will be! If you know of another rockin' Athens show that isn't on the list, comment below and tell the world all about it. Also, don't forget to check back often to see what new shows are added to the list throughout the month. Catch ya at the shows!

Kristen's Concert Picks: September is full of incredible tunes!

For optimal viewing of these picks on a mobile device, click here!

The Athens music scene is back in full force for the month of September! Tons of our local favorites are taking stages all over town to rock the tunes we've been dying to hear. Get ready for a spectacular list of shows!

Thurs, Sept 1: Of Montreal @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

What a way to kick off September! Of Montreal will be bringing their pop music circus of insanity to the Georgia Theatre stage for the first time since it reopened at the beginning of this month. Oh, the feather, the glitter, the spaghetti... I can't wait to see what unforgettable things they'll do this time!

Sat, Sept 3: Tealvox @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
Purely awesome rock is Tealvox's way. Don't miss them over at the Caledonia on the first Saturday of the month!

Sat, Sept 3: Modern Skirts @ 9:30 PM @ 40 Watt
It's the Modern Skirts, back to rock for us again! Longtime fan favorites of the scene, if you haven't caught them in action yet, you just need to head on over to the 40 Watt this Saturday.

Sat, Sept 3: Ye Olde Sub Shoppe @ 8:30 PM @ Flicker Theater
Craving a hilariously surreal experience? You will hardly believe the madness that is Ye Olde Sub Shoppe, I can promise you that!

Sat, Sept 3: The Corduroy Road @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Another free show at the Georgia Theatre? YES! Right after the UGA/Boise State football game, the Theatre will treat us to a show featuring Americana band the Corduroy Road with appearances from members of Packway Handle Band, Efren, Klezmer Local 42, and more. Wow, this is going to be exciting!

Sun, Sept 4: Grogus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Love grooving to a latin beat? Grogus will have you dancing in no time over at the Theatre. Too much fun!

Tuesdays in Sept: Kenosha Kid @ 8 PM @ Highwire Lounge
Continuing their residency at the Highwire Lounge, one of the best jazz bands in Athens, Kenosha Kid, will be playing every Tuesday night in September. So many chances to catch them! Brilliant.

Thurs, Sept 8: Green Gerry @ 10 PM @ Little Kings
The unique sound of Green Gerry's indie rock left me craving more after this year's Athfest. Don't miss his set at Little Kings!

Fri, Sept 9: Futurebirds @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Headliners of Athfest 2011, southern rockers Futurebirds are on their way up! Check 'em out on the Georgia Theatre stage.

Fri, Sept 9: Lazer/Wulf @ 10 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
Largely instrumental metal tunes characterize Lazer/Wulf's sound. Gotta love their all-encompassing style!

Sat, Sept 17: The Orkids @ 10 PM @ Melting Point
One of my absolute favorites in the Athens scene, the Orkids are giving our town another taste of their infectious pop rock tunes. Get ready to go wild!

Tues, Sept 20: Madeline @ 8:30 PM @ Flicker Theater
Soft dark rock is Madeline's forte, and Flicker is the perfect place to enjoy her sound!

Tues, Sept 27: Come What May @ 7:30 PM @ Caledonia
Looking for something a bit more hardcore? Then Come What May is your band. Their indie rock style and explosive energy will combine to give you an awesome show!

Sat, Sept 30: Lera Lynn & Ruby Kendrick @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Powerful vocals and beautiful melodies will engulf you as you end your month at the 40 Watt with Lera Lynn and Ruby Kendrik!

Wow, this month is going to be wild! Have a bit of insider knowledge about another awesome show that you want to share with the world? Be sure to post about it in the comments! Also, remember to check back often to see if we've added any more can't-miss shows to the list. Have an incredible September, my pals!

Athfest 2011: Putting the pole in the Flagpole Awards

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Flagpole Athens Music Awards show

Visualize the scene. Darkness falls over the Morton Theatre as people rush to find seats while an amusing animated video plays on the giant screen before them. As the video fades, two men walk onstage bearing an extremely large pole. The crowd waits in silence, anticipation flooding the room, while the men attach the pole to the stage and disappear. Moments later, the audience erupts in applause as two girls sporting our town's trademark colors of red and black leap onto the pole and spin, stripper-style, to kick off 2011's Flagpole Athens Music Awards show. Oh Athens, I would expect nothing less from you!

Following this wild display, our MC for the night, Luke Fields, took to the stage to give us his hilarious take on all things in the scene. Man, I hope he hosts every Flagpole Awards show from now on! It was truly comedy at its finest. And most awesomely, Kenosha Kid, the Flagpole Awards' resident house band and winners of Best Jazz Band two years running, was back to fill every gap in the show with their fun and upbeat tunes. These guys just never cease to be amazing!

Seated between my friends from WUOG, UGA's student-run radio station, and Jordan of Athens Music Junkie fame, I was in the prime spot to relish in the sheer music scene madness of the show, and I loved every minute of it. Highlights of the first half of the show included a few soft and sweet acoustic melodies from Ruby Kendrick, an adult puppet show featuring sock puppets that redefined the concept of "dirty socks," and a short set of ethereal ambient tunes from Abandon the Earth Mission who were truly at the top of their form for the Awards. Best of all, though, were the two winning music videos shown right before a short intermission, the Athens band's "Animals (Mama Said)" for Audience Choice Video and "The Fear" by Lovett for Best Music Video. Wow, were they incredible! Readers of the blog will have already seen the laugh-inducing "Animals," but the awe-inspiring video for "The Fear" flew completely under my radar until the show. If you haven't seen these videos yet, be sure to check them out now!

Then just after the intermission, a followup animated video detailing the hilarious misadventures of a touring band, courtesy of local comic masters Flick Skinny, ushered in the second half of the show. After the video ended and more winners were announced, the influx of music began once more. Between Timmy Tumble's summersault during the band's super loud indie rock set, Lera Lynn's taste of soft, folk-twinged tunes, and the Gold Party's wonderfully unique, rolling tunes infused with strength and accompanied by the members of Powerkompany, the ear-engaging section of the show was just brilliant!

Comedy was rife throughout the conclusion of the show as well, thanks to Matt Hudgins and His Shit Hot Country Band. From the awarding of Grossest Athens Beard to Matt Hudgins while another bearded individual looked on sadly to the announcement of Best Upstart Band as "It's Woodfangs, assholes" when the band didn't garner the appropriate amount of applause, the Shit Hot Country Band guys were just made for this kind of thing! I'm definitely not much of a country fan, but I'd see one of their shows just for their banter, that's for sure. Then, after a dig at Stomp & Stammer courtesy of our MC, the 2011 Flagpole Athens Music Awards were over. All in all, I'd consider this year's show a raging success! Representatives from all but one of the winning bands were in attendance to accept their awards this time around, and the show lived up to its insanity quotient in a big way.

Once the Awards ended, we finished out the night at the 40 Watt's official Award Show After Party featuring a lineup of bands from Houston thanks to New West Records. We caught the last few soft rock tunes from Buxton before dancing up a storm to the upbeat pop rock of fog-covered band Wild Moccasins. What an awesome way to kick off Athfest 2011!

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2011, 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, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well! Also, for a complete list of winners of the Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2011, check out the AMJ blog!

Kristen's Concert Picks: The songs of March will shower you with luck!

March is on its way, bringing with it whispers of Spring Break and leprechauns and bright beads and warm breezes. But that's not all this month has in store for us! A bunch of big names are playing their way through our city over the next few weeks too. This March is going to awesome!

Thurs, March 3: Face/Off: the Return@ 8:30 PM @ 40 Watt

Gotta love a benefit show! Featuring random trios of members from Abandon the Earth Mission, the Futurebirds, Venice is Sinking, Gift Horse and tons more awesome bands, this show's sure to be exciting and super fun! And best of all, the proceeds go towards helping Project Safe in their mission to end domestic violence. Oh yes.

Fri, March 4: Modern Skirts & Oryx and Crake@ 9:30 PM @ 40 Watt

Modern Skirts and Oryx and Crake? Nice! This pairing of a big time Athens' pop favorite with a group of much-buzzed-about pop rockers is nothing short of brilliant! See it. You won't regret it.

Sat, March 12: The Baseball Project @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

My friend Jordan (best known around these parts as Athens Music Junkie) is overflowing with enthusiasm for this show, and well, her excitement's contagious! This supergroup joins together Pete Buck of R.E.M. with longtime collaborator Scott McCaughey and musicians Linda Pitmon and Steve Wynn for what is sure to be a rockin' show.

Thurs, March 24: Snoop Dogg @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

What!?! Now Snoop Dogg is coming to Athens? Wow. Just wow. Well, that's unexpected... Tickets went on sale at Schoolkids Records and Wuxtry Records on Sat 26th, so I hope you've snatched them up before you missed your chance!

Thurs, March 24: Kenosha Kid & Manray @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Kenosha Kid, hands down one of the best jazz bands in Athens joins Manray, a progressive math rock band that's got my friends raving, for a show that's guaranteed to be full of crazy goodness.

Tues, March 29: Pholksinger Josh @ 8 PM @ WUOG in the Tate Center

Pholksinger Josh'll give us a great big helping of "gangsta folk" spoken word during WUOG's always awesome Live in the Lobby show. A cozy space plus free tunes with a southern twang? It doesn't get better than that!

Wow, looking over this list, it seems that the 40 Watt's the place to be for the month of March! Now, as always, don't forget to keep checking back to see the which newly listed shows have made the concert picks list. Just dying to share the news of any other bands rocking stages around Athens this month? Let the world know in the comments! Hope luck smiles on you all this month, my friends!

Kristen's Concert Picks: February's tunes will drive you wild!

Happy February, everyone! Ready to fall in love with some tunes? Well, you're in luck. This month's bands have totally got you covered!

Tues, Feb 1: Pillage & Plunder @ 9 PM @ Max Canada

Long before the thought of writing a music blog had even entered into my mind, I caught a show with these guys in Atlanta. Playing their first ever set in Athens (their last date up here was snowed out), you definitely won't wanna miss this one!

Sat, Feb 5: Pholksinger Josh @ 10 PM @ Rye Bar

Pholksinger Josh's own personal brand of "gangsta folk" mixes spoken word with a southern twang to give listeners a taste of the truth. You must check it out for yourself!

Mon, Feb 7: Jimmy Eat World @ 7 PM @ 40 Watt

40 Watt's pulling out the big guns with Jimmy Eat World. Although, honestly, I don't recall much from them since "The Middle," I still just love that song! It reminds of childhood and carefree days!

Tues, Feb 8: Kenosha Kid @ 8 PM @ Highwire

Need to chill? As one of the best jazz bands in Athens, Kenosha Kid'll help you out.

Thu, Feb 10: Reptar @ 8 PM @ WUOG

REPTAR! For free? Yes, it's possible! WUOG's Live in the Lobby at the UGA Tate Center is where dreams come true!

Sat, Feb 12: Valentine 80's Prom @ 10 PM @ 40 Watt

Dance partyyyyyyyyyyy! Featuring a couple of Athens' favorite DJs and a band or two, this one looks like fun.

Thu, Feb 17: Groove Tangent @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Who doesn't love a mix of classic covers and original tunes? These guys rock with a sense of humor too! I can promise you'll have fun at their show.

Sat, Feb 19: Spring Tigers @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Get ready for some awesome rock... Give your ears a treat with the Spring Tigers' sound!

Sat, Feb 19: Matt Joiner @ 9 PM @ The Melting Point

If you want to get your blues rock on, Matt Joiner's the one to see! He's on my list of bands to catch in action soon.

Fri, Feb 25: Packway Handle Band @ 9 PM @ New Earth Music Hall

Every single one of my friends who has seen this bluegrass band can't stop raving about them. I'd say this is another must see!

Sat, Feb 26: Lazer/Wulf @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Speaking of bands my friends just love, if you haven't experienced Lazer/Wulf's wall of sound yet, you've got to give them a listen now! What fun!

Wow, this month's shaping up to be an amazing one! Don't forget, if you know of any other sure-to-be-rockin' shows that you want to share with the world, post about them in the comments and let us all know. And as always, be sure to click the Monthly Concert Picks button often for updates and new shows. See you around town, my friends!

Prepping for Athfest 2010!

Words can barely express how I feel right now... TODAY IS ATHFEST! For those lucky enough to be in Athens already, last night's comedy showcase kicked things off with what I'm sure was quite a bit of hilarity. However, tonight the tune-filled fun begins! That's right... The Flagpole Athens Music Awards are tonight at 8 pm in the lovely Morton Theatre. YES! I seriously can't wait for this. Apparently, Reptar and several other rockin' bands will be providing the entertainment for the night, and Kenosha Kid is back to spruce up the in-between times with some jazzy tunes. Oh, and the after party at the 40 Watt is sure to be wild too! Man, this is going to be amazing.

And it just gets better! Tomorrow, we'll get to start rocking out to the insane lineup of over 150 bands that will grace stages all over Athens. I can't believe that Athfest 2010 is finally here!

Now, if this is your first time going to Athfest or if it's been a while since the last time you've been, here are some tips to remember:

• Bring LOTS of water! It will get hot out there, and we don't want you drying up while you wait for your favorite bands to play!
• On a related note, wear thin or light clothing and bring some sunscreen. You don't want to roast to death out there either!
• Pack a snack. There are so many AWESOME bands playing that you may not be able to find time to get food when you need it. It's best to come prepared.
• Make a plan. Decide which bands you're really dying to see and figure out where they're playing beforehand, so you don't miss anything.
• Don't be afraid to just check things out and go with the flow. Some of my coolest Athfest 2009 experiences came as a result of spontaneous exploration!
• Get free samples. Several of the tables at Athfest give out free food and drink samples among other things. Mmm, delicious!
• Don't lose your wristband! It's not too late to buy one online, or you can always pick one up at Athfest itself.
  

And also, for up to the minute coverage on all things Athfest, be sure to follow Echoreyn of Athens on Twitter... Just click below!

Oh, and finally, if you happen to see some who looks like this -

- don't hesitate to say hi. It's me, Kristen a.k.a. Echoreyn of Athens! Let's jam together, and have a rockin' time! You know I'll be there for the old favorites like Dead Confederate, Venice is Sinking, and Bambara, and I just can't wait to discover some new favorites too. It'll be amazing to see bands like Cracker, Efren, Spring Tigers, and the Gold Party since I've heard so much about them. This is just simply going to be too much fun!

See you all at Athfest!

For all of our coverage of Athfest 2010, click here! I'll be blasting you with updates regularly, so be sure to check back often. Also, look out for Athfest concert videos and vlogs, coming soon to http://www.youtube.com/echoreynofathens!