Over the years Charlotte, NC’s DIY music scene has grown from an underground hotbed to the mainstream thanks in part to Treasure Fest and Recess Fest, both festivals sharing a lot of similarities. Now in its third year, Treasure Fest takes place mostly in the Plaza Midwood area of Charlotte, with 70 + bands spread between 5 venues over 2 days.
The original idea of this preview was to find 5-10 bands to present as “must see acts”, but listening through the lineup, that’s something that’s nearly impossible. For old school indie rock, hardcore, or emo fans, this festival is a wet dream. Some people’s reaction might be “These types of bands still exist!?, while others will realize that not only do they still exist, but may be as strong as they ever were. A motivated scene, flourishing outside of the spotlight for now, Treasure Fest highlights some of the best bands you’ve probably never heard of from up and down the East Coast, including an array of locals.
This type of “scene” isn’t something that’s bustling in South Carolina yet, but one that thrives throughout North Carolina.
The heart of the festival bucks the popular festival trend of corporate sponsors, and spoon fed advertising, sticking with local sponsors that are embedded in the music scene with views aligning with Treasure Fest principles. Two day tickets are only $25, with most of the money going back towards expenses and paying out-of-town bands. That’s like .35 cents a band, so you’ll have more money for craft brews and PBR.
Again, highlighting just a handful of bands wouldn’t do this lineup justice. High energy bands run off high energy fans. Here’s a list of bands that are more our cup of tea.
South Carolina Bands
Big Awesome (Bluffton, SC)
Death Panels (Columbia, SC)
Rubrics (Greenville, SC)
Apart (Greenville, SC)
Highlights
Old Flings (Asheville, NC)
Muscle & Bone (Asheville, NC)
Bo White Orquestra
Radio Reds (Greensboro, NC)
Red Collar (Durham, NC)
Sea of Storms (Richmond, VA- ex Mouthbreather)
Sundials (Richmond, VA)
Museum Mouth (Wilmington, NC)
Torch Runner (Greensboro, NC)
Viewfinder (Boone, NC)
Full Schedule
FRIDAY
***the milestone***
Oddczar 1:00- 1:30
Apart 12:15- 12:45
Barrow 11:30- 12:00
Irata 10:45- 11:15
Burners 10:10- 10:35 (side)
Au Revoir 9:35- 10:00
Kato 9:00- 9:25 (side)
Hemp Hill 8:25- 8:50
***snug harbor***
Temperance League 12:30- until
Scowl Brow 11:45- 12:15
One Another 11:00- 11:30
Franz Nicolay 10:00-10:45
Red Collar 9:00- 9:45
Center of the Sun 8:15- 8:45
Museum Mouth 7:35- 8:00
It Looks Sad 6:55- 7:20
Big Awesome 6:15- 6:40
Radio Reds 5:35- 6:00
***lunchbox records***
Sundials 11:45- 12:15
Muscle & Bone 11:00- 11:30
Sea of Storms 10:15- 10:45
Rubrics 9:30- 10:00
Means Well 8:45- 9:15
Viewfinder 8:00- 8:30
***tommy’s pub***
Hectorina 12:00-12:30
Secret Hospital 11:15- 11:45
Black Wine 10:30-11
Brick Mower 9:45-10:15
Black Market 9:00-9:30
***twenty two***
Tyler Brown 9:00- 9:45
Dollar Signs 8:15- 8:45
Mineral Girls 7:30- 8:00
SATURDAY
***the milestone***Â
Torch Runner 1:00- 1:30
Old Wounds 12:15- 12:45
Pig Mtn. 11:30- 12:00
Out Crowd 10:45- 11:15
Test of Time 10:10- 10:35 (side)
Just Die! 9:35- 10:00
Manalive 9:00- 9:25 (side)
Narratives 8:25- 8:50
***snug harbor***
Whatever Brains 1:15- until
Bo White Orquesta 12:30- 1:00
Wymyns Prysyn 11:45- 12:15
Double Negative 11:00- 11:30
Joint D≠10:15- 10:45
Chalkies 9:30- 10:00
No Tomorrow 8:45- 9:15
Unholy Thoughts 8:00- 8:30
Devil’s Hand 7:15- 7:45
Manic 6:15- 6:45
Stepdad SS 5:25- 6:00
Cheap Art 4:45- 5:10
Uniform 4:05- 4:30
Rogue Nations 3:25- 3:50
Death Panels 2:45- 3:10 (floor)
***lunchbox records***Â
Old Flings 12:30- 1:00
Mike Bell & the Movies 11:45- 12:15
Bandname 11:00- 11:30
Kicking Spit 10:15- 10:45
Nuclear Santa Claust 9:30- 10:00
No Love 8:45- 9:15
Late Bloomer 8:00- 8:30
***thirsty beaver***
Sinners & Saints 7:30- 8:15
Pullman Strike 6:30- 7:15
Lions to Lambs 5:45- 6:15
***common market***
Funky Geezer 11:15- until
Hungry Girl 10:20- 10:50
Almost People 9:40- 10:05
Amanda X 9:00- 9:25
