October 11 festival brings 12 bands to Main and Hampton
From amped-up, power pop and gospel to banjo metal and dirty guitar, the third annual Jam Room Music Festival is bringing 12 bands, two stages and an all-around street party to downtown Columbia on October 11.
The festival at Main and Hampton streets in Downtown Columbia, kicks off at noon on October 11. In addition to a diverse musical lineup, the festival features various food vendors, craft beer and a children’s area on Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art.
The eclectic musical lineup is headlined by Superchunk. Since releasing their first 7-inch in 1989, the Chapel Hill-based quartet Superchunk has run the gamut of milestone albums: early punk rock stompers, polished mid-career masterpieces, and lush, adventurous curveballs. After 10 albums, Pitchfork says, “Superchunk’s best songs have always been the spastic ones…[frontman Mac] McCaughan’s nasal yowl can’t help being anthemic.”
Other bands joining the lineup include:
• Southern Culture on the Skids, best described by The Echo: “Long the bards of downward mobility, Southern Culture on the Skids have always embodied a sleazy, raucous, good-natured, good-time take on the culture of the South.”
• The Love Language, a small army of collaborators led by Stuart McLamb making music that is gorgeous and unashamedly fun.
• Rookie says, “Listening to Adia Victoria’s haunting Southern Gothic tales is like being dropped right into a Tennessee Williams play, but one that’s been updated for right now. “ While currently based in Nashville, Victoria is a native of Spartanburg, SC.
• Keath Mead, a local singer-songwriter of “pop slightly off kilter with a side of fuzzy and buzzy.” [Chunky Glasses]
• Shehehe, purveyors of “new American jet rock” that Flagpole says inhabits “…the camp first established by The Ramones, The Stooges and The Runaways.” • E.T. Anderson, a local singer-songwriter readying his first release.
Other previously announced bands include:
• Nashville-based band, Leagues. Named in the 10 best acts of SXSW in 2013 by Paste Magazine, Leagues displays a penchant for memorable, anthemic lyrics and a mix of dirty guitar tones with catchy, indie-pop harmonies.
• The Defibulators will join the lineup showing off their eclectic mix of musical styles that push the boundaries of country music.
• The Whisky Gentry’s latest album Holly Grove, infuses elements of country, bluegrass, folk, rock, and punk with a mix of poppy and poignant lyrics, fiery vocals, honesty, edginess, and entertainment.
• Megan Jean and the KFB will bring their brand of washboard and banjo metal from 1927.
• The Reverend Matthew Mickens and the New Highway Travelers, a local high energy gospel group, will open the show.