Bedrumor, briZB and Grace Lucia
BriZB: Solo indie-rock artist briZB captures fans and tears with her electrifying songwriting and heartbreaking guitar. She pulls from alt-rock, bedroom-pop, and pop-punk influences to write of love and loss and the repercussions of growing. Based in Charlotte, NC, she finds ways to shock the scene alongside her growing online fan base. bedrumor: bedrumor is a Greensboro based band led by Lazuli Ortiz and Ryan Mole. Their music could be described broadly as indie rock with inspirations from jazz. They take inspiration from artists like Herbie Hancock, King Krule, Big Thief, Ichiko Aoba and many others. Grace Lucia: Grace Lucia is a genre-blending rock and roll artist based in Wake Forest, NC, known for high-energy and heartfelt performances that light up bars, restaurants, and stages across the Research Triangle. Her original music fuses elements of dreampop, goth, pop punk, and classic rock, striking a balance between grit and vulnerability in songs that explore resilience, love, and loss. With a voice that cuts through and a stage presence that pulls you in, Graceand her backup band create an atmosphere where every show feels personal. She doesn’t just play for a crowd—she plays with them. Grace Lucia delivers whether you’re ready to dance, laugh, cry, or connect.
McKinney, MAMA, and Grace Cambell
McKinney is a bass player and singer-songwriter. She spent her formative years in southern West Virginia where she literally LIVED inside a music school. Deeply incapable of leaving the Appalachian mountains, but needing an escape from her 6,000 person hometown, she landed right around the bend in Asheville, NC. When McKinney isn’t on stage you might find her teaching music lessons at LEAF Global Arts, working shows at The Orange Peel, or at lock on the rugby pitch. McKinney’s music genre is about as fluid as the average Asheville resident’s sexuality. Her Indie Pop sound is blended with influence from her blues singer mother, a BFA in Jazz, and the 8 year old version of herself that just wants to play classic rock. Although pinning down her genre may be hard, you can consistently expect sad lyrics. You will probably enjoy her lyricism if you are emotionally suppressed and enjoy listening to sad songs to make yourself feel better. MAMA is a Soul Shakin’ Blues project from Asheville, NC. Fronted by Melissa McKinney, a vocalist known for her raw power, emotional delivery, and genuine connection with her audience, the band is quickly making a name for themselves in the blues world. MAMA earned Second Place at the International Blues Challenge this year in Memphis, TN. They also won the Merlefest Band Competition in 2025. Beyond their accolades, Melissa is a leader in the Asheville arts community. She serves as Programming Director for LEAF Global Arts, is the co-founder of the WTF (Women to the Front) Music Festival, and a board member of AVL Fest.
Blue Cactus with Molly & Kate
Rooted in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Blue Cactus got their start among the active honky-tonk circuit, developing an electrified twang that now branches out effortlessly into folk, alt-country, and psychedelic-tinged rock. Having released three records to critical acclaim, they have grown a cult following in the South and beyond, their introspective lyricism and blistering guitar techniques making the band potent in the studio and on stage. Their 2025 album Believer was hailed in Bandcamp’s Best New Country list and earned them slots on SXSW, Hopscotch Fest’s main stage opening for Geese and My Morning Jacket, and PBS’ new original series, Shaped By Sound. Blue Cactus have toured throughout the US, developing a dedicated cult following. From intimate clubs to major festival stages, Blue Cactus is known for connecting deeply with audiences wherever they go.
LIMN (album release show) w/ Being Followed and Wrist
Blankstate. Fifth Floor, and Ever Ending
Fifth Floor Fifth Floor is a high-energy pop-rock band inspired by the electrifying sounds of 5 Seconds of Summer, Paramore, and other iconic alternative pop rock acts. Known for their dynamic performances and catchy, emotionally charged songs, Fifth Floor brings a fresh, vibrant energy to every stage they step on. With driving rhythms, infectious melodies, and a passion for connecting with their audience, they strive to make every show unforgettable. “blankstate.” Weaving heartfelt lyrics into engaging emo tunes, the three-piece emo project “blankstate.” has cut their way through the Charlotte music scene since their formation in 2018. The trio fine-tuned their sound through 3 years of live performance prior to releasing studio music. With traces of everything from indie rock to fifth wave emo, blankstate. creates unforgettable music and an even more unforgettable live act. Their years of live-performance experience make for an explosive show that can fill any space, shake any room, and move any crowd. Leaning fully into their emo roots, the band released their most successful project, LOTUS, in 2024. On any stage, blankstate. creates a captivating and one-of-a-kind experience. ever,ending ever,ending is a post emo group from Greensboro, NC. Consisting of members Leo Kaiser, Dallas Cox, Corbin Moore, and Shark Jones, they have developed their own unique sound within the scene. Founded in 2020 ever,ending has grown a strong following online.
Tom Hamilton Band w/ The Wright Ave Duo
Tom Hamilton’s guiding creative principle is very simple: he doesn’t like to repeat himself artistically.For the Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter andguitarist, this mindset stems from a deep-seated motivation to keep pushing himself as an artist —to delve into different lyrical themes and musical detours, to explore potentially uncomfortable and unfamiliar emotional places.”That’s a thrilling prospect,” says Hamilton. “To find the deeper things inside and to open up those doors that I didn’t even know were there.”As founding member of Brothers Past, American Babies, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Ghost Light and Billy and The Kids, Hamiltonhas written/recorded roughlya dozen albums and EPs and shared the stage with everyone from John Mayer to Bob Weir to Billy Strings.Hamilton’s debut record as a solo artist will be released in late 2025.
Florencia & The Feeling w/ Lua Flora
Johnson City, Tennessee-based pop-funk band Florencia & the Feeling independently released their crowd-funded debut album Birthday in March 2023, which Vents Magazine hailed as “pure, unadulterated fun.” Since forming in April 2021, the quintet has been lighting up stages across the eastern U.S. with electrifying live shows bursting with joy, groove, and connection. Their infectious energy and genre-bending sound have earned them top honors as winners of both the 2025 FloydFest On-The-Rise Competition and the 2024 MerleFest Band Competition, along with coveted spots at festivals including Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (TN/VA), Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival (NC), and Rooster Walk (VA). Blending upbeat funky rhythms, heartfelt songwriting, soaring four-part harmonies, and a touch of jazz and Latin flair, Florencia & the Feeling create a sound uniquely their own. Fronted by Florencia Rusinol (lead vocals) alongside Andrew Kramer (guitar), Isaac Ratliff (keys), Nick Castro (bass), and Austin Herron (drums), the band draws from funk, jazz, Nu Soul, jam, pop, indie rock, and roots influences. Radio Bristol praised their “tight rhythmic jams and groovy guitar riffs,” while Glide Magazine called them “deeply infectious & brimming with energy.” Creating in a state of constant adventure, Asheville, NC-based Lua Flora has successfully unified sounds that typically don’t go together. Led by the expressive and intentional pen of songwriter Evan Button, the “roots pop” act seamlessly blends Americana, pop, and indie folk with the rhythmic undercurrents of Caribbean and West African traditions, crafting songs that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant. Taking the show from backyard parties to national stages, Lua Flora has supported artists like Satsang, Franc Moody, Arts Fishing Club, and more, while appearing at festivals such as FloydFest, Rooster Walk, and Shakori Hills. Further cementing their reputation as a rising force in contemporary songwriting, Lua Flora has recently collaborated with singer-songwriters Brett Dennen and Mihali, marking milestone moments that underscore the project’s heart-first approach and growing influence in the modern songwriting landscape.
Deaf Andrews w/ The Barons
Conceived in the daydreams of adolescence, Deaf Andrews has blossomed from their roots, into a unique sonic flower of indie pop rock. Emerging from Charlotte, NC, the band is the creative collaboration of five friends—Nick Hayes (vocals), Mike Sherrard (guitar), Ross Schumann (bass), Andrew Kingsley (guitar), and Braedon Nelson (drums)—each bringing their own unique perspective and energy to make music that is both personal and universal. With a dedication to pushing creative boundaries and connecting emotionally, Deaf Andrews prioritizes capturing the raw, electrifying energy of their live performances. The result is a sound that is both organic and direct, channeling the spirit of classic rock and roll while embracing the experimental freedom of modern indie pop. With each release, Deaf Andrews continues to carve out their own space in the musical landscape, offering listeners a rich and dynamic experience that is as thought-provoking as it is electrifying. The band’s latest double-single, marks a new chapter in their evolving sound. With their tracks “Wait on Me” and “Small Talk,” Deaf Andrews continues to showcase their ability to blend catchy indie pop-rock with introspective, emotionally charged lyrics. “Wait on Me” playfully captures the tension of anticipation, weaving together vulnerability and hope through infectious hooks and layered instrumentation. Meanwhile, “Small Talk” takes a darker yet thoughtful approach, examining the awkwardness and disconnection that can arise in casual relationships with a punchy rhythm and a deeper lyrical undertone. Both tracks reflect the band’s unique talent for turning personal experiences into relatable, engaging music that resonates with listeners on a deeper level. The Barons is a US alternative band comprised of lead singer and guitarist Peyton Alley, drummer Mathes Glymph, lead guitarist Josiah Ragland, bassist Kirtland Gray and saxophonist Jack Peacock. Forming in 2016, the Virginia natives’ repertoire include various sounds ranging from heavy-hitting indie rock to a lighter fair of introspective love songs. The Barons have amassed a following among headlining colleges and venues on the East Coast as well as supporting some bigger alternative acts such as Judah & The Lion, The Aces, Barns Courtney, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. The band has released a stack of singles since its founding and will embark on their first full album release in 2025, “Le Château”.
Mantra, Daddy’s Beemer, and Scoby
Moonroof, Transeúnte Errante, Grace Lucia, and Liam Martin
Moonroof is an indie pop/rock band from Philadelphia, PA. After graduating from Bloomsburg University, the band moved to the Philadelphia area. Moonroof recently released their full length self-titled debut album and has expanded their reach of live shows, with performances at festivals and venues across theNortheast, Midwest, and South.
