Karli IngersollAre you still recovering from the amazing and crazy Volume 2013? Yeah, me too. More on that later, but now it’s time to quickly gear up for the next awesome music event. Elkfest! The schedule is out and it’s time to arrange your weekend around what bands you want to check out. Elkfest is especially nice because it’s free and easy to drop in on even for a short period of time. Riding a bike is recommended as parking can be kind of annoying. The weather is set to be perfect, this might be the best Elkfest yet!
Friday June 7 – Time to Dance
4:30 PM – Terrible Buttons
This thing happens with local bands, especially the ones that play a lot around the area. Local people go to see them once and then think that’s enough. But you don’t have to be a huge music nerd to know that bands morph, change, improve, expand and write new material. Terrible Buttons I think is one of these bands for a lot of people. You’ve heard their name, maybe caught them at a show like 2 years ago and then kind of pass over them. No more, Spokane. NO MORE. These guys are worth checking out at least once every couple months. Their set somehow manages to get more fun and more energetic every time I see them. And if you haven’t seen them yet, be embarrassed and then snap out of it and don’t miss their set at Elkfest.
6:30 PM – Aan
These guys look rad. I don’t know much about them and am not super familiar with their tunes but a short listen on their bandcamp is enough to intrigue.
8:30 – The Cave Singers
I shouldn’t have to talk you into seeing this band.
Saturday, June 8 – Hip Hop and Draw Off
4:00 PM – The Flying Spiders
There’s more to the lineup on Saturday that I will leave to you to check out. Definitely don’t miss Flying Spiders though. There’s so many people in their band and they don’t perform that often.
6:00 PM – Seven2 Draw Off
The Draw Off theme is Hunter Gatherers. Live art battle with some of the best talent in Spokane? Outside on a warm summer evening? Yes please.
Sunday, June 9 – Seattle-fest
8:00 PM – Bryan John Appleby
Seattle has majorly infiltrated Elkfest this year to my delight. I’ve been listening to Bryan John Appleby since he released his last album, Fire On the Vine. It is quite a folk masterpiece. His lyrics are smart and beautiful and he captures simplicity and emotion in his arrangements. Definitely looking forward to his set.
9:00 PM – Pickwick
Since Pickwick last performed here at the Bing, they’ve conquered their first national tour by selling out NYC, Chicago and San Francisco. They are basically killing it. Happy they are going to be back to headline Sunday night at Elkfest.
(Elkfest art by Matt Bogue)