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Secret Stages 2016 Preview
Image courtesy of Travis MorganJared Chesnut - BlazeRadio Operations Manager
redc@uab.eduThe summer festival season continues in Alabama, and this time it's one of Birmingham's biggest secrets being let loose...
On Friday and Saturday Aug. 5-6 Birmingham's Loft District is going to be occupied by Secret Stages. For the last five years, Secret Stages has been a bastion for local music, underground artists with cult followings, and exciting acts on the cusp of breaking big, with the likes of Mega Ran, Dawes, Shaheed and Supreme and Skoolie Escobar participating in past editions. For 2016, the lineup is proving to be equally diverse, with a broad range of genres represented from neo-soul to hip hop to dream pop all the way around to jazz. Birmingham's music scene is going to be represented in a big way at the festival, with hometown heroes such as Wray, No Suh Foster, Vulture Whale and Love Moor representing for the home team, plying their trades in various venues in the neighborhood such as Rogue Tavern, Das Haus and Matthew's Bar and Grill. -
Secret Stages 2016 Recap
Secret Stages 2016 Backdrop. Photo by Baili Grace BighamJared Chesnut - BlazeRadio Operations Manager
redc@uab.edu
At some point on the arduous trek back to campus from the grounds of Secret Stages on Day 1, a weariness set upon me. Perhaps due to the lack of sleep, or possibly the detour to the Waffle House at 3am, my body just could not be willed to move any further; its limit had been reached.
However, in a classic example of mind over matter, memories of the energy on display and the broad range of emotions and elation in the hours previous seemed to spark a brief rekindling of my spirit, which saw me off to my destination. If going to a music festival inspires me to write something so cheesy and melodramatic, that's usually a pretty good sign.
Secret Stages 2016 is now in the books. With 80 bands and artists on hand to perform and many other activities of interest going on, it would be a herculean effort to catch everything. That said, we've got the low down on some of the coolest people and things from the weekend. -
Secret Stages alum Raindeer returns to Birmingham
Raindeer's most recent album cover, titled "You Look Smashing." (Photo courtesy of Raindeer's website).Casey Marley - Managing Editor
managing@insideuab.com
When I think of psychedelic pop, I think of festival headliners like Tame Impala and MGMT. If these bands don’t ring a bell to you, I highly recommend them for the next time you are stressed out and want to listen to some trippy tunes. Indie band, Raindeer, based out of Baltimore, is also a psychedelic pop band, but unlike the two mentioned previously, Raindeer is highly accessible and has its own unique take on modern day trip-pop. Layering synths with actual instruments, Raindeer brings its own take to the laid-back genre with its quirky lyrics and, for the most part, upbeat melodies.
Last week, Kscope spoke to the band’s founder and lead member Charlie Hughes to discuss Raindeer’s sound, new album and their upcoming show in Birmingham.
