Athfest 2013: EoA's Guide to Athfest: Kristen's Concert Picks Special Edition

Every year, I tackle the mission of narrowing down the massive 150+ list of bands rockin' Athfest to make my schedule of sets to see.  Determined not to miss a single incredible tune, I sample every band online to find the best of the best. Of course, I hardly expect anyone else to be as insane as I am.  That's why, this time around, I'm giving you a list of tried and true favorites that you've just got to catch in action!

Thurs, June 21:

Flagpole Athens Music Awards @ 7:30 PM @ Morton Theater

For me, Athfest always begins with the Flagpole Athens Music Awards! I'll give you more info about this show tomorrow, so stay tuned.

MAXfext @ 8:30 PM @ MAX

Catch an awesome lineup of bands including Yo Soybean, Sam Sniper, and Holy Liars at MAXfest.  And, can you believe it, the whole show is FREE.  Definitely a wild way to usher in the festival!

Fri, June 22:

The Warm Fuzzies @ 5:45 PM @ Hull Street Stage

The Warm Fuzzies are all about fun!  Get your Friday afternoon Athfest on with their hilarious set of tunes.

Modern Skirts @ 9:00 PM @ Pulaski Street Stage

This is it, guys.  THE FINAL SHOW OF THE MODERN SKIRTS!  Yeah, it's that big of a deal.  Sing along to your longtime favorite tunes as they bid a fond farewell to their incredible run.

Betsy Kingston and the Crowns @ 11:00 PM @ New Earth Music Hall

Passion is the name of the game with Betsy Kingston and the Crowns.  If you like intense southern rock, this is your band!

Yip Deceiver @ 11:15 PM @ Georgia Theatre

If you're a fan of Of Montreal, you'll love Yip Deceiver.  These guys know how to throw down and party!

Dream Boat @ 11:15 PM @ World Famous

Dream Boat's soft acoustic sweetness will caress your ears and flow into your being.  What a delicious experience!

Thayer Sarrano @ 12:00 AM @ Caledonia Lounge

You'll be blown away by Thayer Sarrano's beautiful voice!

Reptar @ 12:30 AM @ Georgia Theatre

Current rulers of the Athens music scene, Reptar is always a good time. You just can't help but go wild when these guys step onstage.  If you haven't experienced one of their shows yet, don't miss your chance to see what all of the hype is about!

Sat, June 23:

Sam Sniper @ 5:30 PM @ Hull Street Stage

These unique folk rockers are always worth a listen.  Check 'em out!

The Skipperdees @ 8 PM @ Melting Point

The ever-talented Skipperdees weave together strings and vocals to create an unbelievable soft and twangy style!

Kenney Blackmon String Band @ 9 PM @ Melting Point

I have yet to see this band in action, but if their songs online are any indication, their fiddle-driven tunes are nothing short of amazing!

Feather Trade @ 9 PM @ Go Bar

Feather Trade's got a dark rock sound like no other.  Fill you ears with their rockin' songs!

Bambara @ 12 AM @ Caledonia Lounge

You knew it was coming. Blog favorite Bambara returns to the Ath-town once more to give us that limitless noise rock sound we've been craving!  They may be Brooklyn boys now, but they know Athens is always pumped to let them melt our faces off with their tunes again.

Sun, June 24:

Dangfly! @ 4:00 PM @ Hull Street Stage

I've heard nothing but awesome things about Dangfly!  Judging from their sound online, the band's use of the strings sets their indie rock style apart from the rest.

Lera Lynn @ 5:45 PM @ Pulaski Street Stage

Lera Lynn's powerful voice and indie folk rock combine to make every show of hers just spectacular!

Want to see these show picks on the go?  If you're bringing your smartphone or tablet along with you, our site is mobile-friendly, so don't hesitate to click on over here for some show suggestions during the festival as well!

** Remember: exploration is key. I encourage you to check out all the bands you can find at Athfest 2013. Let this list just serve as a starting point to help keep you from getting lost in the massive sea of sights and mind-blowing sounds!

Also, we've got videos from Athfests past of many of these bands up on our Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel if you want to get a feel for their sound. And hey, if you like what you see, feel free to subscribe! We'll be putting up footage from some of the best shows we see at Athfest this year once the festival ends.

Stay tuned for our final Athfest 2013 Guide coming tomorrow!

Athfest 2013: EoA's Guide to Athfest: Things to Bring

Echoreyn of Athens' Guide to Athfest

Things to Bring

• Sunscreen

- It gets hot out there (this year's temperatures are around the high 80s!), so be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of it, the higher the SPF, the better. You might also consider bringing along a hat. After all, tunes are no fun when you're burned to a crisp!

• Sunglasses

- At Athfest, the sun will make its greatest effort to try to blind you and keep you from seeing all of the awesome acts rocking the outdoor stages.  Don't let the sun win.  Bring along a pair of shades!  Without fail, I forget to bring these every year, and there's never a day at the festival when I don't wish I had them with me.

• Water (and other hydrating drinks)

- Dehydration is a serious problem in Athfest-level heat, so make sure to keep yourself stocked with plenty of liquids especially since drinks bought at the festival can be pretty expensive. Also, if you're feeling overheated, be sure to step into some shops or seek out some shade. Rumor has it, there may even be a shaded wristband-only spot to hang in this year.  Either way, don't spend the whole day in the sun!  I've had heat stroke at least once at every Athfest I've attended, and trust me, it's no picnic.

• A Raincoat or Umbrella

- It is practically a guarantee that it's going to rain at some point during Athfest, (heck, two years ago we witnessed a storm was so memorable, we wrote several entries about it) so be sure to come prepared. Since all of the shows during the day are outdoors, it's a very likely possibility that you will get wet. Also, if you're on Twitter, you should most certainly follow @athensgaweather for up-to-date and in-depth weather details.

• Snacks

- If you'll be spending all day at the festival, you'll need more than just the free samples you collect from the booths to keep you on your feet. Bring along a sandwich or some energy bars for the road.

• Money

- Chances are, you'll find a band whose tunes you just love. Or maybe, something in one of the artists' booths will catch your eye. Or hey, perhaps you'll be craving a bit more food and drink than you brought with you. No matter what, you'll need to remember to bring some cash so that that CD, t-shirt, or snow-cone can be yours!

• Wristband and ID

- If you're participating in the nighttime venue crawl, this one's a must! In fact, some venues won't let you in at all without one.  I suggest keeping your wristband on throughout the weekend (it's waterproof) or attaching it to something you'll always bring with you, like a purse or wallet.

• Schedule of Bands You Want to See

- Make a list of bands you're dying to catch in action along with all the info on where and when they're playing so that you can make the most of your Athfest experience! Not sure which of the almost 200 bands you should go see? Check back tomorrow for Echoreyn of Athens' Athfest show picks list!

• Map

Can't figure out which venue is which?  Worried you'll get lost making your way from show to show? Nab yourself a copy of this year's festival map right here!

• Phone

- If you come to Athfest with friends, chances are you'll want to split up at some point to catch different bands or take breaks from the heat in some of the air-conditioned shops downtown. Don't forget your phone so that you can catch up with them again later! Also, you can follow us at @echoreyn on Twitter and get all kinds of Athfest updates and special tips straight to your phone as well.

• Camera

- Athfest is a wild, awesome, and incredible experience! Bring along a camera to capture your favorite memories of the weekend.

And most importantly, bring a sense of fun and get ready to rock!

Athfest 2013: EoA's Guide to Athfest: Intro

Bands are gathering to rock stages all over town, artists are prepping their wares... That's right.  It's time for Athfest 2013, Athens' biggest celebration of music and art!  All the madness goes down this week.  Dying to make the most of the wild festival?

Well, for the third year in a row, we present...

Echoreyn of Athens' Guide to Athfest 

 What is Athfest? 

Here's the lowdown on the festival for those new to this scene. More than 150 bands will fill our town with their tunes throughout the massive show which spans this entire weekend from late Friday afternoon through early Sunday evening. Two outdoor stages, which sit at the Washington St. intersections of Hull St. and Pulaski St., will feature band after awesome band throughout the daylight hours, and best of all, this part of the festival is completely free! Also, during the day, there will be shows and activities just for kids at Kidsfest which will take place between the Washington St. parking deck and Morton Theatre. Plus, there will be booths showing off the creations of some of Athens' most talented artists lining the streets of the festival. At night, venues all over town will host unbelievable lineups of bands for the 18 and up (and sometimes 21 and up) crowd provided they've purchased an Athfest wristband. This year, many of the venues will be strictly wristband only, so get one for yourself now for just $20 right here (or you can purchase one during the festival itself). For more general Athfest info, you can check out their official site here.

 Athfest tidbits 

Ok, now let's get to the fun stuff. If you're coming to the festival armed with a smartphone or tablet, later this week you'll be able to access our Athfest 2013 Edition of show picks right here!

And remember those Flagpole Athens Music Awards you voted for a few weeks ago? Well, now you can check out the top nominees in each category to see if your favorites made it to the list. And don't forget to make your way over to the Morton Theatre at 7:30 PM on Thursday evening for the big awards show!

 We'll be posting even more Athfest info every day of this week including our picks for must-see shows and a list of things all music fans should remember to bring.  To make sure you don't miss a single post, be sure to 'like' our page over on Facebook, and tell your friends about Echoreyn of Athens too!

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!

Echoreview: BAMBARA's DREAMVIOLENCE

BAMBARA's back, you guys.  From Athens, Georgia to Brooklyn, New York, these guys have made a name for themselves in the noise rock scene.  Since their emergence several years ago, they've blasted eardrums across the country with their rampant, unpredictable melodies and pounding rhythm.  DREAMVIOLENCE, their first full-length album in almost five years, delves even deeper into the wild, haunted darkness they've made their own.  So what's the word on this upcoming release?

An awesome driving baseline and a varied tempo make All The Same, one of my newer favorites of the band's tunes that I recognized from their live show, a righteous beginning to the album.  Listening to it, I immediately felt as if I had arrived at an ancient Aztec temple in the heart of a rainforest, populated with creepy, almost inhuman voices.  White Dresses follows this track with monstrous, underlying tones of horror that continue throughout the record.

Free of inhibitions, with a wildly strong and intensely sexy beat, Bird Calls reveals itself among explosions of noise.  Then the deliciously dark Hawk Bones, probably my favorite track on the album and certainly one I've enjoyed from their live shows, bursts on the scene with a sound that transports me into the throne room of a party king.

After the echoing jaunt of Young Mother and the untempered and jarring Nail Polish, Train Daze rolls in with a softer edge, charging through the pitch black tunnels of the darkest places in the mind. Then Bar jumps on board, an almost upbeat track compared to the rest of the album.  A strange and not entirely cohesive pause in the record, this tune features an eerie thread running through a more standard alt rock melody.

Structure is largely abandoned in the later tracks, the screeching and mechanical Divine Teeth, the smoky Z, the melodically metallic and angry Breaker, and the hauntingly animalistic Blonde. However, these songs fulfill the ongoing nightmarish premise of the album with their wildly erratic styles and borderless explorations of noise. Then, with a villainous whisper and a crash of finality, Disappear provides a fitting end to the record.

Throughout the album, BAMBARA's sound never ceases to be evocative.  It transports the listener through time and space in a haze of color and destruction not bound by the constraints of reality and expectation.  Rather than conform their style to the audience, with each album release they instead venture further into the uncharted soundscape to establish new bounds of explosive rock and eerie melodic noise.

Pumped to get your hands on DREAMVIOLENCE?  BAMBARA's official release date for the album is April 30th, but you can let your ears in on a taste of their sound over at Spin.com where they are currently streaming a preview of the full record.  Enjoy!

Kristen's Concert Picks: April rocks its way in!

As the weather gets warmer, the shows get even more insane.  End your semester with these rockin' lineups!

Thu, April 4: Efren @ 7:00 PM @ The World Famous

Gritty Americana at its best, you'll want to start off your month with Efren!

Thu, April 4: Lazer/Wulf @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Lazer/Wulf's melodic noise will drive you wild!

Fri, April 5: Modern Skirts @ 8:00 PM @ 40 Watt

An era in Athens music is coming to an end.  Don't miss the Modern Skirts' final 40 Watt show!

Sat, April 6: Brothers & Thayer Sarrano @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

With Brothers' indie take on a classic rock sound and Thayer Sarrano's one-of-a-kind singing style, this is a lineup you'll definitely want to catch!

Sun, April 7: Kyshona Armstrong @ 8:00 PM @ Hendershots

A weekly staple at Hendershots, Kyshona Armstrong's soulful sound will blow you away!

Wed, April 10: Adron @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous

Adron's incredible voice dances delightfully through her band's fresh indie rock sound. Be sure to check them out at the World Famous!

Thu, April 11: The Peaks @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous

One of my longtime favorites on the scene, The Peaks (formerly Tigerbird) will be taking the stage to share their jazzy folk sound with us.  Opening for Kite to the Moon, you've just got to see this show!

Thu, April 11: Betsy Kingston and the Crowns @ 8:00 PM @ 40 Watt

I still remember Betsy Kingston's powerful voice from last Athfest.  Catch Betsy and the rockin' Crowns at the 40 Watt!

Fri, April 12: Sam Sniper @ 11:00 PM @ Green Room

Another one of my Athens favorites, Sam Sniper's unique take on southern rock is one to hear!

Tue, April 16: Yip Deceiver @ 9:00 PM @ New Earth Music Hall

I can't see a Yip Deceiver show without dancing.  It's just not possible.  Get your groove on with them in the middle of the month!

Thu, April 18: Groove Tangent @ 9:00 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

I've been following this band's sound since the beginning.  Their time-travelling style will have you rocking through history!

Fri, April 19: Kishi Bashi @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous

If you think that violin-playing can't be exciting, you've clearly never seen Kishi Bashi in action!  His amazing talent will leave you breathless.

Sat, April 20: Dead Confederate @ 9:00 PM @ 40 Watt

Gritty southern rock tinged with darkness, Dead Confederate always puts on a great show!

Sat, April 27: Lera Lynn @ 10:00 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Part of our town's Twilight Americana festival, Lera Lynn will headline Georgia Theatre's Saturday show with her strong and undeniably awesome rock sound!

Sun, April 28: John French and the Bastilles @ 7:00 PM @ Melting Point

Celebrate the final night of the Twilight Americana festival with the dark southern rock style of John French and the Bastilles!

Looks like this April's going to be a wild one.  Heard of any other awesome local shows happening this month?  Comment below, and tell the world about 'em.  See you around, my friends!