Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists + Johnny Manchild And The Poor Bastards
Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards is an American multi-genre ensemble founded by Johnny Manchild.Since its founding in 2016, the band took the internet by storm, with a unique conundrum of jazz idioms, grunge, alt-rock, world music, and funk that prompted even Anthony Fantano himself (known as “The Only Music Critic Who Matters” by the NYT) ask “what gives them the right to be this good? ” The Bastards have since answered that question, drawing from a dedicated and thriving fanbase that is bound together by a deep love of music, lyricism, engineering and sonic exploration. From their hometown of Oklahoma City to the global stage, each release has been a marked discovery not just for the fans, but the Poor Bastards themselves. You can’t help but be excited when talking about Orlando singer songwriter Cat Ridgeway. Her infectious energy and contagious enthusiasm in everything she creates is electric, while her passion and commitment to her music radiate through her fiery blend of indie-rock and punk with hints of dream pop and folk. A skilled lyricist and melodist, Ridgeway is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who can play guitar, harmonica, trumpet, trombone, drums, piano, mandolin, and bass – sometimes playing three instruments at once! Ridgeway, along with the revolving members of her touring band, The Tourists, create a sweaty, energetic, exciting party with each live show. It’s not uncommon to see them play musical chairs as they switch places and instruments on stage. Expect the unexpected. With Sprinter, Ridgeway’s upcoming 2025 album release, she draws the listener in as she strives to understand life’s trials and emerge with a better sense of perspective and self. Ridgeway, along with Mike Savino (Kishi Bashi, Tall Tall Trees), played multiple instruments on the album. Mastered by Joe LaPorta (David Bowie, Foo Fighters) and mixed by Dan Molad of Lucius and Coco (JD McPherson, Here We Go Magic), Sprinter features all-star players including Claude Coleman, Jr. (Ween) and Josiah Wolf (WHY?) on drums, and Adam Schatz (Sylvan Esso, Japanese Breakfast) on sax, among others. Her first single “Epilogue,” is a stomp and holler-esque punk rock explosion hinging off a recklessly played, overdriven banjo.
The Ain’t Sisters
Fun, eclectic folk rock. Fronted by the deliciously androgynous duo Arrie Bozeman and Barb Carbon, the Aints deliver high-energy performances of their wildly diverse original music. Joined by the hardest working men in rock n Roll, Richie Jones on the Boom Chick thwackita whackita, and Justin Boudreau, aka BooDreamy, masterfully holding down the rhythm section and making everybody swoon with their gorgeous licks. Think Indigo Girls meets Dream Theater but with a little Birdcloud in the mix.
Coia with Brandon Tenney (solo)
AZUL, Ava Panza, and Annelle Staal + Ben Youngblood
AZUL is a queer immigrant singer-songwriter. Her sound is as multicultural as her background. Her music is enriched by her Argentinian roots, travel, and relationships, while influenced by jazz, broadway, soul, gospel, blues, disco, Latin folk and Latin rock. She is emotional, empathetic, and empowered. She is driven to amplify opportunities for femme/queer/poc individuals in her band and on stage. She has a new single coming out on July 18th called, “Disco Never Died.” Words like, “banger,” “revival,” and “groovy anthem,” have already been used to describe the new single. Ava Panza: Alternative/singer songwriter music. Inspirations include, Paramore, Madison Cunningham, Manchester Orchestra and Fleetwood Mac. The garden of Annelle’s discography sports blooms of indie-soul and folk produced in Nashville TN, candy-colored pop tracks out of Los Angeles, CA, and now a new emerging musical thought from their home city of Raleigh, NC. Annelle and collaborator Ben Youngblood explore a playful, genre-fluid “southern indie” sound inspired by nature, sensuality and spirituality.
Bicycle Face, Rabbit Fighter, and Lemon Sparks
Get Back! + Condado
Being Followed, Them Pants, The Eyebrows, and Heath Haynes
4 insufferably romantic nihilist heroes- singing things, plucking strings, moving 1s and 0s. Heartland Kitchen Sink Music to drive to- we strive to be the soundtrack for a movie that hasn’t been written yet. Debut album A Lifetime of Somedays released November 2022, EP Pieces released February 2024 Chris York(Palaver, Good Times, Hombre Dado, etc) Guitar/Vocal Joey Barnes (Luna Arcade, Suicide Darlings, Daughtry, etc)Bass/Vocal Quincy Mooring(Colourslide, The Five Ls, The Dickens, etc) Drums/Vocal Emily Wilcock(Being Followed) Keys/Vocal Them Pants is hard driving Indie-Rock band from Winston-Salem, NC. Made up of current and ex-members of Vetiver, Bandway, Alternative Champs, All Night, the Husbians, Rebar, the Finks, and other great North Carolina bands. Formed in 2019, the band’s debut album ‘Jeffership Starplane’ was released in December of 2022. ‘Starplane’ is full of songs with great, catchy melodies and hooks on top of interesting and creative guitar driven beds of sometimes angular music. With fantastic guitar riffs and a super-solid rhythm section, each song has a little math added to make it interesting, but no more than necessary. If you like early punk-inspired indie-garage rock with great hooks, you’ll love Them Pants. “…finally answers the age-old question about what it would it sound like if the Pixies and King Missile jammed in the B-52s’ garage.” – Magnet Magazine The Eyebrows write and perform anthemic rockers replete with chugging, sleaze-rock guitars, slashing riffs spiritually aligned with Alex Chilton, with vocals and harmonies that are tough but catchy, recalling 1970s power-pop powerhouse singer Robin Zander of Cheap Trick. The Eyebrows combine 70s punk, power pop, and a touch of shoegaze atmosphere in a manic concoction that will give you Icarus-like super wings and other, subversive advanced skills to knock down walls, burn bridges… and eventually fall gracefully into the sea. Heath Haynes is an American Power Pop artist raised on a steady diet of Cheap Trick, Cars, Rick Springfield and Paul Collins. Transplant from Nashville TN, currently residing in the heart of the Mid Atlantic territory.
Condado, Fifth Floor, and Blankstate
Whitsett with Moving Boxes, Come Clean and Elder Bright
Nashville-based Whitsett, featuring Ryan Ward, Taylor Moser, Emma Privette, and Cody Woodell, is making waves in the world of emo. Known for their nostalgic content and collaborations with Emery and Aaron Gillespie, they forge connections with early 2000s youth through engaging social media. Notable performances include sharing stages with Mae and The Dangerous Summer, as well as a standout show at Furnace Fest 2023.
Alex Krug Combo w/ Matty Sheets
Life is at its very core about exploring. We can remain stagnant and rooted in place, or we can take a page out of Alex Krug Combo’s playbook and dive headfirst. The thrill of adventure looms ahead of this band. Their Genre Queer Psychedelic Rootz strikes a stunningly evocative chord about life, being an outsider and the kind of heartache and healing that transforms your soul.
