Athfest 2010: Having Agoldensummer

Friday, June 25th, 2010 (after midnight)

Hope for Agoldensummer

As I entered Flicker Theatre, the stillness engulfed me. Every member of the crowd that filled that small room was quiet, watching intently as Hope for Agoldensummer shared their lovely, soft tunes. Through a weird set of circumstances, although I've heard them play several times, I've never actually gotten to see them perform indoors before now. In this intimate setting, they truly thrived, sounding better than ever! As their set came to a close and their soft harmonies ceased, I felt wholly and thoroughly soothed. Breathe with me. Ah, yes.

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!

Athfest 2010: Bambara rocks it!

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Bambara

Oh, Bambara. What can I say about them? As one of my current Athens favorites, you know I just couldn't miss their Athfest set. And, wow, am I glad I was there! Everyone around me completely agreed - these guys just keep getting better! They're honing their style to perfection and adding a few new songs to the mix as well. Playing to a nearly full 40 Watt, the entire wall of people beside the stage was totally absorbed in their noise rock sound. I've said it before, but I've got to say it again. Keep an eye on these guys! They're going places, no doubt about it.

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!

Athfest 2010: It's time for the Shut-Ups

Friday, June 25th, 2010

The Shut-Ups

Ah, relief! As the evening faded into night, the venues of Athens opened up, giving us shelter from the storm and even more delicious tunes to fill our ravenous ears. New wave indie pop band the Shut-Ups was the first group I had the chance to enjoy as I stepped inside the Caledonia. Their fun, electronic sound held my grin firmly in place as I moved to their songs. These guys sure knew how to do it! They even had a song about pretending to be a robot. Simply hilarious! I'm definitely going to have to see this band again.

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!

Athfest 2010: Oh, those Modern Skirts!

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Modern Skirts

Sheets of rain washed over the crowd as Spring Tigers finished their set. Not again! It seemed that the Athfest festivites were going to be postponed once more. Members of the staff scrambled to cover the instruments and amps onstage to protect them from the inches of water that continued to fall from the sky. And then to my great surprise, Athfest headliners the Modern Skirts, sporting drenched clothes and rain gear, stepped up and, after only a short delay, started rocking their set!

A couple of months ago, I got my first hint of what a Skirts show was like, but this time around, I heard them as they are meant to be heard. Excitement filled the air as their pop tunes burst onto the scene, putting smiles on every face in the audience and making all of us forget about the rain that poured from above. That's what must make them the band to watch from Athens, this magical ability to bring musical joy even in the middle of an insane downpour. Then singer Jay Gulley upped the fun quota by suddenly ripping off his rain gear and sliding straight into the growing pool of water at the end of the stage. Oh man, I wish I had been able to get a picture of that! What a great show!

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!

Athfest 2010: Dancing with Spring Tigers

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Spring Tigers

Not many bands could follow Reptar's explosion of insanity, but electronic pop group Spring Tigers didn't shy away from the challenge. I've got to admit, the first thing I noticed was lead singer Kris Barratt's British accent as he introduced his band to the crowd. Too cool! Turns out he came to Athens straight from London a few years ago, ready to give us a taste of his rockin' tunes with the creation of the band. Well, Athens is indeed the place to be!

After Reptar, the crowd was rabid for more dancing, and Spring Tigers was definitely there to provide. Yeah, it was dance time! Even the rain that began falling yet again couldn't put a stop to the fun. The truth is out... Spring Tigers is just awesome!

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!

Athfest 2010: Of giant sea creatures, flying people, and Reptar!

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Reptar

Suddenly, a thrill of excitement ran through the crowd. Who would treat us to their tunes next? Why, none other than REPTAR! Winners of Best Live Band and Upstart of the Year, the band quickly gathered an eager audience of hundreds of fans waiting to see what the group known for their crazy antics would do this time.

Seconds later, a beach ball flew through the air, followed by another... and another! But that's not all. After that, the inflatables got bigger. Much bigger. A massive shark sailed across the crowd moments later with a giant seal and a humongous sea turtle on its tail. And so began the most insane, the most wildly fun, and frankly the most dangerous Reptar show I've ever attended... Not a minute went by that the air was clear of flying objects! You were more than likely to be hit in the face by any number of them at any given time, and that was before they added several brightly colored pool noodles to the mix. A few people cleverly fended off these inflatable attackers with umbrellas, but most enjoyed playing a large scale version of Keep-It-Up. Ah, pure celebratory chaos! Unfortunately, a few people, caught up in a whirlwind of excitement, thought that they could fly on the inflatables themselves. Not a good idea! I nearly got crushed by one such dreamer who was, I'm sure in his mind, on his way to the moon.

Reptar itself was in great form during this show. They rocked their popular songs with a zesty sort of enthusiasm that got everyone to move their feet. Now, keyboard player Will Kennedy's awesome energy was certainly missed (he's currently gallivanting through countries halfway across the world), but, with the help of a stand-in keyboard player, the band delivered their crazy dance pop tunes to the rabid crowd without a hitch. Oh, wow. Without a doubt, Reptar's was one of the most unforgettable shows of Athfest 2010!

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!

Athfest 2010: Let's make that party a Gold Party

Friday, June 25th, 2010

The Gold Party

Soon, soft sounds of a band tuning up drifted over from the other outdoor stage. Athfest was fully operational once again! Using giant brooms, volunteers pushed gallons of water off of the stage to prepare it for the upcoming new wave takeover. Just a few moments later, with purple lights shining behind them, the Gold Party hit their first note. Influenced by 80s era pop with an electronic indie style, they served us several new dance-inducing tunes that made the dreariness of the rain seem like a thing of the past. And I've got to say, the band's look matched their sound rather nicely too! Singer Benji Barton, in particular, came out dressed to the nines in all white which was a near blindingly bright eye-catcher against the stormy grey sky. Yeah, let's show that storm who's boss!

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!