Don’t Sweat it Fest Kicks Off Thursday

Thursday marks the beginning of Don’t Sweat it Fest, an indie music festival in downtown Rock Hill with a special emphasis on bicycles. Now in their fourth year, DSI FEST has expanded to three days, kicking off with a two band bill headlined by Hectorina performing their rock opera Collywobble with young Rock Hill rockers Small Talk Assassin opening.

This years lineup features a variety of genres all tied together with a common DIY ethos at the root. Highlighting specific acts would prove futile as they’re all worth your time, and there’s no overlap in scheduling, so attendees have the opportunity to see all acts. Friday night and throughout the day Saturday there are specific acts with releases on the horizon. Both Junior Astronomers and Sinners & Saints have releases coming soon in the 7 inch vinyl format. For Sinners & Saints it’s a split with Elonzo Wesley and for Junior Astronomers it’s two new tunes to tide us over until their sophomore LP. aggrocragg, led by Justin Brown, dropped one of the best NC releases so far this year in January, buried quietly by 6 months in the digital age. They’re followed on a stacked Friday night lineup by the powerful live set of ET Anderson, who tested out a three guitar arsenal last week, one that may carry over to Friday.

Saturday starts mid afternoon with an Americana lineup featuring Sinners & Saints, Amigo, and The Long Canes before transitioning to the folkish punk of Dollar Signs. From there it’s on to the lyrical indie punk of LEGGGS, and into Can’t Kids who are truly one of the best bands not only in South Carolina, but anywhere these days.

The closing night leans fuzzier, and louder, and more aggressive than the daytime lineup, fitting for it to move indoors. Dumb Doctors recently released a 10 track tape via Academia Tapes Plus that’s full of gritty and aggressive guitar rock. Pounding drums and loud distorted guitars continue through to the end with Black Market and Birthkontrolle.

On Sunday you’ll stay in air conditioning and nurse your hangover and remember the good times of the previous two days. I guess that wasn’t so futile.

Schedule

Thursday, June 25th at The Courtroom
9:00 PM – Small Talk Assassin
9:45 PM – Hectorina presents the Collywobble Rock Opera

Friday, June 26th (Afternoon) at Swim, Bike & Run
5:30 PM – Nick Samson
6:00 PM – Gardeners
6:45 PM – Dust & Ashes

Friday, June 26th (Evening) at the Courtroom
8:00 PM – aggrocragg
8:45 PM – ET Anderson
9:30 PM – Serfs
10:15 PM – Motel Glory
11:00 PM – Junior Astronomers

Saturday, June 27th (Afternoon) on the Loading Dock at the Gettys
1-3 PM – Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
3:30 PM – Sinners & Saints
4:00 PM – Amigo
4:45 PM – The Long Canes
5:30 PM – Dollar Signs
6:15 PM – LEGGGs
7:00 PM – Can’t Kids
8-9 PM – Critical Mass Bike Ride

Saturday, June 27th (Evening) in the Courtroom
9:00 PM – The Luciferian Agenda
9:45 PM – Mr. Gold
10:30 PM – DUMB Doctors
11:15 PM – Black Market
12:00 AM – BIRTHKONTROLLE