FRIDAY, JUNE 26TH

Friday is when things really get going at Athfest, and it’s filled to bursting with great shows. In most cases, the bands highlighted here are one among other great bands on a bill. Athfest shows, much like SXSW shows, tend to be put together with sonic congruence of sound in mind. It’s a good bet that if you like one band on a bill, you’ll like them all.

6:40 PM
Twin Tigers — Main Stage
Free
Though Athens is often thought of as a pop town, there are plenty of new noisemakers and rock bands on the rise (Dead Confederate, Spring Tigers, Gift Horse). Twin Tigers are one of the best of this scene. They’re noisy and driving in the No Age vein, except that they have actual songs! They get better each time I see them, and they were no slouches when they started out. Dead Confederate and Je Suis France-affiliated rapper Excalibrah are playing right after them, so stick around!

9:30 PM
Circulatory System — Nuci’s Space
Free with Athfest wristband (donations for Camp Amped and Nuci’s Space are encouraged)
Circulatory System shows are fairly rare, so you should take this opportunity to check them out. Fans of E6 stuff and psychedelica will be rewarded by OTC Will Hart’s mind-melding, twisty creations. The band has been working on forthcoming album Signal Morning, for over seven years, in part due to Hart’s Multiple Sclerosis. Take every opportunity you can to see this band.

10:00 PM
Creepy — Flicker
Free with Athfest wristband
One of the more exciting all female acts I’ve encountered since Electrelane, Creepy is another band that gets better each time I see them. They’re not too far off from turn-of-the-90s shoegaze like Slowdive, but singers Melissa Colbert, Page Campbell, and SJ Ursey eschew the cold, Gregorian feel of the Cocteau Twins for soulfulness. It’s surprising when you first hear it, as so many bands–particularly within this genre–consider real singing verboeten. They may be a little outsized for Flicker, so bring earplugs!

10:30 PM
Lazer/Wulf — Morton Theatre
Free with Athfest wristband
This pick ain’t for everybody, as Lazer/Wulf is an instrumental metal band. Some of you will probably tune out right there. I get it. But hear me out, by staying vocal-Free (for now…don’t cave, guys!), they avoid one of the great pitfalls of metal: the ridiculous lyrics and laughable vocals. I love plenty of metal that has these things, but I suspect it’s a deal-breaker for a lot of casual observers. Lazer/Wulf strips it all back to the foundations: chops, deft changes, thunderous playing. And it rips.

11:45 PM
Brave New Citizen — Little Kings
Free with Athfest wristband
I haven’t seen Brave New Citizen yet, but I figured I’d go out on a limb here, given the talent assembled. Jay Nackashi’s last band was Empire State, one of Athens’ lost treasures, an unusual pop project with homemade instruments. Guitarist Jesse Flavin has the same protean qualities as Lindsey Buckingham (and is a great songwriter in his own right). I’m picking this one on pedigree alone, so don’t let me down, guys.

1:00 AM
Casper & the Cookies — Cine
Free with Athfest wristband
Full disclosure up front: I played drums with this band for six months last year. I’m biased, sure, but they replaced me with an iPod, so I also have a reason to be bitter (*grumbles*). The Cookies’ new album is called Modern Silence, and it’s an epic, genre-skipping pop record, fusing the accessible and experimental while never losing site of song essentials. Committed to the concept of “the show”, they are one of Athens most flamboyant live acts. This is the show for you if you hate indie rockers standing around looking at their instruments.