In addition to the events that populate the official AthFest calendar, there are a slew of unofficial shows, day parties and other happenin’ shindigs happening this week and through the weekend. In the spirit of service, we bring you five of the most promising:
Left Out Fest
Thursday, June 19 · Little Kings Shuffle Club · 10:30 p.m. · FREE!
A thinly veiled (and also kinda tongue-in-cheek—we think) middle finger to this publication and the AthFest powers-that-be, the first annual Left Out Fest takes over Little Kings following the Flagpole Athens Music Awards. Curated by low-rent local supergroup Sad Dads, the event features DIY-minded bands “left out” of the main event(s), including dirty-pop purveyors Dude Magnets, impenetrable indie outfit The Hernies, noisy pop band Scooterbabe and shambolic synth-junk group Salsa Chest. In between performances, organizers will hand out awards in categories like “Best Person in Athens” and “Least Essential New Athens Band.”
Extended Release
Thursday, June 19–Saturday, June 21 · 40 Watt Club · 1–4 p.m. · $3–$5 (suggested donation)
Jared Collins of garage-pop group k i d s curates this multi-day affair—a benefit to assist local guy Sean Jenkins with medical expenses—where three local bands offer highly conceptual three-hour sets during the hottest part of the day. Thursday features avant-pop outfit Manny and the Deepthroats. Friday, members of k i d s team up for a theremin-centric project, cleverly titled Therepy. Saturday, members of Reptar present a psychedelic sound experience under the name L()()K. Pop in and out. Enjoy the analog video projections and maybe a brew or two.
Breakfast of Champions
Saturday, June 21 · Normaltown Hall · 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · FREE!
For the second year in a row, Normaltown Hall hosts a booze-laden brunch-style throwdown with live music, free breakfast tacos and, most importantly, free beer—while supplies last, of course. This time around, you can catch stripped-down sets from New West-related acts Ruby the Rabbitfoot, White Violet, Christian Lee Hutson and Reptar side project Semicircle. Local buzz band New Madrid DJs in between acts.
unATHFest
Saturday, June 21 · Georgia Bar · 2:30 p.m. · FREE!
Saturday, take a break from the dogs and babies on Washington and seek solace with some sweet, sad tunes in a dark, air-conditioned bar. The Clayton Street mainstay plays host to an all-star selection of regional Americana and country bands Saturday, including Scott Low and the Southern Bouillon, Ken Will Morton Band, The Bearfoot Hookers, Beauty and the Beard and others.
Dirty Athens Day Party & Dirty Athens Sunday
Saturday, June 21 · Caledonia Lounge · 2–8:30 p.m. · FREE!
Sunday, June 22 · Hi-Lo Lounge · 6 p.m.–12 a.m. · $5 (or FREE with wristband from Saturday’s party)
The Caledonia’s annual day show is the spot to catch some of the hottest and hippest bands in town while you nurse the after-effects of last night’s rager with a few ice-cold PBRs. This year’s lineup includes T. Hardy Morris, Muuy Biien, Shade, The Rodney Kings, Velocirapture, co co ri co, Blue Blood, The Cryptides and many more. Music rotates every 30 minutes between the outdoor and indoor stages. Sunday, the party moves to Normaltown, with performances from Harsh Words, Pinecones, Vincas and more, including the debut of new duo Stormies, featuring members of defunct punks Carrie Nations.
For the complete list of this week’s happenings, see the Calendar.
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