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Blackoutfest Returns To The Union This Weekend

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Blackoutfest, The Union's annual underground rock bash, returns this weekend, featuring three nights of national, regional and local bands.

Now in its 19th year, Blackoutfest is one of Athens County's oldest festivals. It's also become a very special occasion for many music fans, most of all to Scott Winland, who has organized the event since its inception.

"This is more than simply a three-night music fest," he explained. "This is a Union tradition that truly celebrates underground music, and has hosted dozen of bands over the years who have gone on to national and international fame."

Indeed, the list of bands who have played Blackoutfest is impressive: Reigning Sound, Kurt Vile, Shilpa Ray and Jay Reatard, to name a few.

This year's lineup boasts some returning guests as well as new faces. Thursday's headliners are Lover! (featuring members of the legendary Memphis combos The Lost Sounds and The Reatards) and Dayton's Motel Beds.

On Friday, Union favorites Buffalo Killers and Cheap Time make a return appearance, while Saturday includes former Gris Gris frontman Greg Ashley and New York City's Shilpa Ray, who recently toured as a backup singer and support act for Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.

Advance tickets are now on sale at Haffa's Records for $8 per night or $20 for all three. Doors open at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Visit Blackoutfest's Facebook event page for updates.

Thursday, April 17

Lover! (ex-Lost Sounds/Reatards from Memphis, Tenn. )
Motel Beds (Dayton, Ohio)
Unwed Teenage Mothers (Oxford, Miss.)
John Brothers Piano Company (Oakland, Calif.)
Hex Net (Athens, Ohio)
Total Blam Blams (featuring members of Southeast Engine, Geraldine, Sportfishing USA from Athens, Ohio)
Weird Science (Athens, Ohio)
Nuddhist Monks (Athens, Ohio)

Friday, April 18

Cheap Time(Nashville, Tenn.)
Buffalo Killers (Cincinnati, Ohio)
The D-Rays (Athens, Ohio)
Washington Beach Bums (Columbus, Ohio)
Lopan (Columbus, Ohio)
Messrs (Columbus, Ohio)
Dead Hand of Man (Athens, Ohio)
Ghost Boat (Athens, Ohio)

Saturday, April 19

Shilpa Ray (New York City, N.Y.)
Greg Ashley (Oakland, Calif.)
Connections (Columbus, Ohio)
Red Feathers (Columbus, Ohio)
Bloody Show (Columbus/Cleveland, Ohio)
Speaking Suns (Yellow Springs, Ohio)
Jason Frederick (Chicago, Ill.)
Unmonumental (Athens, Ohio)
Slut Castle (Athens, Ohio)