Culture
21st Blackoutfest Brings Underground Greats to The Union
By: Emily Votaw
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Thursday night will mark the opening of the 21st Blackoutfest at The Union, a longstanding tradition of bringing together a kaleidoscopic diversity of underground musical acts to Athens’ own rock ‘n’ roll bar.
“It is simply a fun party that I put on each year for the Union extended family past and present, and fans of underground music,” said Scott Winland, a promoter at The Union and the primary agent at Blackout Booking, of the event. “If you look at the bands that have played the fest over the last 21 years; you see a pattern of great bands that fit well at The Union. If you enjoy underground rock, damaged pop, garage, psych, weirdo indie stuff, etc. this is the fest for you.”
Blackoutfest is the longest running music festival in Athens, and has hosted an impressive array of acts over the course of it’s 21 years. This year the epic three-day music party is sponsored by Jackie O’s Taproom and Brewery.
“Many (of the bands) have played The Union before. Some are bands that formed in the last year, some are reuniting for this event. Some of the out-of-town acts were at one point on the touring roster for Blackout Booking, or feature members of those bands,” said Winland.
Acts from all over come out of their subterranean hide-y holes to perform at Blackoutfest. This year, some of the out-of-the-area acts include wailing punk rocker Shilpa Ray (NYC); pleasantly revolting dirt-rockers Timmy’s Organism (Detroit); Memphis’ dark, synth-y Sweet Knives (made up of the remaining members of Lost Sounds); and Greg Cartwright, hailing from Asheville, NC and of the Oblivians and Reigning Sound.
Some of the younger acts slated to play are Columbus’ Dandelion Hunter, Athens’ own jazz punks Nasty Jazz, and the regional and strikingly youthful Blue Moth.
Winland said that Columbus’ Bob City hasn’t performed in over a decade anyplace, but are reuniting to perform at Blackoutfest. Geraldine, an act that performed at the very first Blackoutfest, is also scheduled to perform at the 2017 installment of Blackoutfest.
Thursday (Doors at 8pm)
Swarming Branch – Columbus
Blam Blams – Athens/Chicago/Seattle
Dandelion Hunter – Columbus
Weird Science – Athens
Blue Moth – Athens
Nasty Jazz – Athens
Friday (Doors at 7pm)
Timmy’s Organism – Detroit MI
Shilpa Ray – Brooklyn, NY
DANA – Columbus
The D-Rays – Athens
Hex Net – Athens
Slackluster – Athens
Saturday (Doors at 7pm)
Sweet Knives (Lost Sounds re-boot) – Memphis TN
Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound, Oblivians) – Asheville NC
Geraldine – Athens
Bob City – Columbus
Sportfishing USA – Seattle via Yellow Springs
Leggy – Cincinnati
Advance tickets on sale now!
Weekend Pass = $25
Thursday -$7
Friday -$15
Saturday – $15