We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.
When we last reported on the Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie Fest—-a quickly launched DIY festival curated by Brooklyn-via-D.C.-via-Texas musician/writer Dave Mann—-the lineup of 125-plus bands had been mostly finalized, featuring several local acts including Hiding Places and Last Tide. The (free!) festival finally happens this weekend, so check out our short, to-the-point guide to the event’s highlights.
Saturday:
At Ghion Restaurant & Lounge: Headliners Screen Vinyl Image and Ceremony will probably bring most of the late night, lovers-of-deafening-drum machines crowd, but be sure to catch the earlier sets from Baltimore’s Contra and D.C.’s Mittenfields (featuring Mann himself).
At 1920 Lounge: The lounge’s second night features a bunch of locals, but Saturday, catch D.C.’s Modern Man, whose members “believe firmly in tube amps, koozies, and shouting.” And I thought the Titus Andronicus show was last night.
At Queen Makeda: House & Home member Letitia VanSant plays a solo set, warming up late night slots from The Revolving Birds and Drawbridges, yet another Mann project. Clearly, the guy doesn’t sleep.
At Bella Café & Restaurant: Check out the headlining slot from local Mascis-worshipers The Jet Age at the festival’s original venue.
At Dukem VIP Lounge: A singer/songwriter-heavy lineup both days with local jazz pianist/vocalist Amy K. Bormet headlining. Tip jars expected.
Sunday:
At Ghion Restaurant & Lounge: Annapolis’ Dirty Names may not be the “best rock & roll band next to the Rolling Stones” as the band’s bio suggests, but given its classic rock revivalism is enough to warrant an 11 p.m. headlining spot, it might be worth it to see what all the fuss is about. A 2 p.m. set from D.C.’s The Cosmonaut is also worth catching.
At 1920 Lounge: Any band calling themselves Thundertyts (7 p.m.) is worth checking out.
At Queen Makeda: You had me at Machine Gun Mustache.
At Bella Cafe & Restaurant: Loose Lips makes “post-fi-core-wave” songs and “sometimes…encode them on compact discs…for people to listen to,” have sense of humor, sink ships, etc.
At Dukem VIP Lounge: For those into good ol’ fashioned Gypsy- and Celtic-tinged Appalachia, check out local string band virtuosos Sligo Creek Stompers.
At Almaz: Quick six-band evening lineup, with locals Jonny Grave & The Tombstones bringing some Mississippi blues to close out the weekend.
Earplugs are “strongly encouraged” for the louder shows, and probably for good reason (these venues are tiny). For the full schedule and list of bands, visit the STPP festival’s website.