DOG DAYS FEST @ Multiple Venues | FRI-SUN JUN 2-4
The post-pandemic explosion of revived older bands and many ambitious new bands playing killer shows left and right is due in part to Dog Days Presents and the efforts of Kyle Brown and Drew Murray. They’ve kept local acts busy and brought cooler acts to town, including alt rock, punk rock, alt-country and the Jacuzzi Boys. DDP shows are never boring. Their first-ever Dog Days Fest is no different. A vast slew of styles from alt-country icon Dougie Poole to Barcelona’s lo-fi manic punk act Prison Affair (pictured, and not to be missed), and an absolute ton of bands in between, too many to list. Five bands kick it off Friday night at El Rocko, Saturday has early sets at Starland Yard and Over Yonder, with later shows at El Rocko and Late Air. Sunday closes the fest at Starland Yard. See dogdayspresents.com for details. If you can’t find five bands you want to see, think about whether live music is really something you like or not.
DUFFREY @ ELAN SAVANNAH | FRI, JUN 2 | 10 PM
Originally an East Bay drummer, Denver’s Duffrey has been making EDM for a decade, casting a developed, solid vibe. Rooted in bass, he’s much more into the long-range soundscape-style atmospheric productions that could chill an igloo. The strain of sound heard on his 2013 release Staring Into Space is clearly heard in a more mature, updated version on the 2023 release Legend of the Alley Cat. It’s no rehash, though. It’s evidence of a sonic vision, cultivated over time, maintained in theory, that now seems more skilled and effortless. It’s laid back, but emotional, tingling at the right times when it isn’t giving you that slow throb and mellow feelz.
JOE PETTIS @ THE WORMHOLE | SAT JUN 3 | 8 PM
Pettis has a very worthy resume, from being the semi-house comedian at Sweetwater 420’s long running brewery series comedy in Atlanta, to collaborations with superstar stoner comic Doug Benson, including an appearance on the show Getting Doug with High. He’s sober — but just booze — so lots of funny drug misadventures and the tragicomic aftermath fill his material. Additionally, he tells amusing tales of what happens after those funny drug stories, as well as some of the specific observations during those funny drug misadventures. Highly focused, you could say.
JOSH BENNET BAND @ BARRELHOUSE SOUTH | FRI JUN 2 | 9 PM
Lots of bands want to resist categorization, but they also need what they do to be explainable to get attention when the music cannot do the talking. JBB is better than most at playing a bunch of styles, from unexpectedly harder rock with the squealing solos that go with it, to banjo-fronted bluegrass, and a twist of some stank-ass funk. Another surprise is the harmonies. Songwriting is coming along, too, for a band that has only been kicking around Athens a few years.
AURA FEST NIGHT 1 @ TOTALLY AWESOME BAR & EL ROCKO | FRI JUN 9 | 4 PM
Early notice is due for yet another homegrown Savannah DIY promotion and festival. Maybe Savannah has a few more type-A personalities than meets the eye? If the previous fest is an indication, Tim Walls has been plotting this assault for a while. AURA Festival kicks off day 1 late afternoon at Totally Awesome bar, followed by a group stomp/wall of death down the block to El Rocko at the twilight midpoint. Standout acts include Canadian deathcore veterans Falsifier (pictured above with GEH), Albany NY hardcore crushers Downswing, Florida’s brutal Bottomfeeders, Augusta metalcore quintet Backslide and several more. We’ll cover day 2’s ante-upping asskicking next week.
