The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.

Live Local Music

Music artists you don’t want to miss at this year’s Arts Fest

Posted by Brandon Vesely on 07/11 at 07:59 AM

Arts Fest, an annual event held in downtown State College and on the Penn State campus that showcases the work of both regional and national artists, is a great place to check out some of your favorite local artists or to discover new music.

This year’s event will be held Thursday July 11 through Sunday July 14 and features roughly 40 musical performances. Here’s some artists you don’t want to miss:

Yesterday’s Escape:  This rising piano-driven alternative group hails from Anapolis, Maryland and will be playing the Allen Street Stage on Thursday at 6 pm.

Matthew Fries & 718:  This innovative group mixes elements of jazz, funk, rock, and electronic music to create songs that are both unique and relaxing.  Check them out at the Sidney Friedman Park Stage on Thursday at 7:30 pm.

No BS! Brass Band:  As their name suggests, this Richmond, Virginia group specializes in brass-driven dance songs.  See them at the Festival Shell Stage on Thursday at 9 pm.

Archie Blue:  A popular State College based band, Archie Blue has been a musical fixture in the region since the 1980s and is generally considered a progressive rock group.  See them perform at the Sidney Friedman Park Stage on Thursday at 9:30 pm.

DNA:  Formed in Imperial, Missouri, this trio plays upbeat, harmonic rock music and is inspired by classic rock heavyweights like The Eagles.  They’ll be playing at the Allen Street Stage on Friday at 2 pm.

The Slackwater News:  This Lancaster based group plays a mix of folk, indie, and psychedelic, and sound similar to indie groups like Pavement and The Kinks.  Check them out at the Festival Shell Stage on Friday at 3:30 pm.

Ted McCloskey & The Hi-Fi’s:  State College based artist Ted McCloskey has deep ties to the local community and even graduated from Penn State.  He generally plays indie rock and has written music for television shows like The Walking Dead.  See him play at the Allen Street Stage on Friday at 6pm.

Sunny Weather:  This Ithaca, New York group blends reggae, rock, and indigenous music and has built an extensive music catalog since their formation in 1999.  They’ll be performing at the Sidney Friedman Park Stage on Friday at 6 pm.

The Ultra Kings:  This group is from North Eastern Pennsylvania and play catchy rockabilly music with hints of surf rock and classic rock and roll.  See their live performance at the Allen Street Stage on Friday at 8 pm.

The Pennharmonics:  Formed in 1993, this Acapella group has a revolving lineup of Penn State Students.  The group has released 10 albums and have covered tunes from a variety of genres including pop and classic rock.  Watch them perform at the Sidney Friedman Park Stage on Saturday at 3:30 pm.

The Crawdaddies:  This group plays funky songs that draw on a variety of genres including blues, ska, and reggae and have garnered a considerable national following since their formation in 1995.  Check them out at the Festival Shell Stage on Saturday at 7:30 pm.

Bookends:  This folk group was a major fixture in the State College music scene nearly three decades ago and they play a mix of original songs and covers.  They’ll be performing at the Allen Street Stage on Saturday at 8 pm.

My Hero Zero:  This locally-based dance group have built themselves a reputation through their animated, captivating live performances.  Watch them play the Allen Street Stage on Saturday at 10 pm.

The Earthtones:  An important part of the State College music scene since their formation in 1989, this reggae group appeals to a wide variety of audiences and has performed with legendary artists like Ziggy Marley.  Don’t miss your chance to see them perform at the Festival Shell Stage on Sunday at 3:30 pm.

For a complete listing of Arts Fest performances and events go to http://www.arts-festival.com/.