The irreverently named SlopFest, which began in 2009 after the cancellation of Athens PopFest, returns for its fourth iteration this Thursday through Saturday, July 19–21. Founder Derek Wiggs will once again hold the event at Little Kings Shuffle Club, where the idea was first conceived and quickly found support among owners and staff.

SlopFest distinguishes itself from other local festivals both by the bands who play (mostly small, scrappy local acts) and by the degree to which it is truly a community event.

“It's not a festival for other people to come enjoy Athens,” Wiggs says. “Although it is a great opportunity [for that], it's more for the people [who are] already here, to appreciate the town and our friends, and celebrate.”

Putting it all together is a collaborative effort among a bunch of friends who help with art and food (Wiggs promises “a guy with excellent credentials” handling eats this year), and who also, in many cases, play in the bands.

Many of these are hard-rock, punk and metal groups, though the balance has shifted this year to include everything from indie-pop (Cars Can Be Blue) to hip-hop (Mad Axes). According to Wiggs, neither the original focus nor the shift was intentional.

“The lightening in mood may be just from meeting new people over the years,” he says. “It's just easier to fill up a new festival's lineup with all of your friends' garage bands.”

But there's also the audience to consider. “I think as the show grew, more people wanted to be involved [who] saw it as a good time for everyone, not just tattoo guy and couch surfer. Having Nana Grizol play a few years ago also opened my mind a bit as to what works really well.”

Half of the bands playing SlopFest are festival newcomers—like the Athens expats in Bambara, who Wiggs tried to book for three years before they were able to commit (ironically, shortly after they all moved to Brooklyn).

The half that is returning from previous years includes Wiggs' own band, the raucous Daffodil, which recently reconvened and is set to play Friday night. Self-effacingly, he explains the reason for the reunion: “Daffodil got back to playing this year mostly because [singer and guitarist] Max Talkovich and I missed it, I think, and [we] had some new ideas again. It certainly wasn't for the money, or by popular demand of any sort. I can tell you that much.”

SlopFest operates with a similar mindset. Wiggs doesn't keep track of how many people attend, although he describes it as "pretty packed and chaotic, which is all you can hope for." And he isn't looking to profit; all proceeds will go to the Athens Girls Rock Camp.

But even at a paltry $8 for the whole weekend (the Thursday show is free), the end sum is enough to cover costs and distribute some gas money to the touring bands, thanks partially to the involvement of Pabst Blue Ribbon, which sponsored the fest in 2010, and will return this year.

“I really don't know what they get out of it,” Wiggs says. “It's not like Athens is hurting from lack of PBR awareness. It just adds to the fun… any time they want to join the party, they can.”

This is the first year that SlopFest won't be growing significantly (its biggest addition is a free compilation CD)—mostly because it has grown about as much as it can. In both 2010 and 2011, Slopfest added another day to the lineup, including the continuing Thursday night kickoff party.

That night, and both that follow, will be capped by DJs—Sunslinger, von Florer, and Mahogany, respectively—hosting dance parties outside. Friday and Saturday will also see some of the highest-profile bands playing inside simultaneously, ensuring divided loyalties (or not—I might be one of the few attendees who actually has trouble choosing between dancing and Savagist), but no shortage of ways to have a sloppy good time.

SlopFest Lineup

Thursday, July 19 (FREE!)
11:00 p.m. - Roberta and Charlene
11:30 p.m. - Vespolina
12:00 a.m. - Manger
12:30 a.m. - The Rodney Kings
1:00 a.m. - DJ Sunslinger

Friday, July 20
6:30 p.m. - Danny the Looper
7:00 p.m. - Danger Bucket (outside)
7:30 p.m. - Monkeygrass Jug Band (outside)
8:00 p.m. - The Nice Machine (inside)
8:30 p.m. -Triangle Fire (outside)
9:00 p.m. - Koko Beware (inside)
9:30 p.m. - Slaw n' Order (outside)
10:00 p.m. - Daffodil (inside)
10:30 p.m. - Helen Scott (outside)
11:00 p.m. - Eureka California (inside)
11:30 p.m. - Muuy Biien (outside)
12:00 a.m. - DJ von Florer & DJ Dusty (outside)
12:00 a.m. - F'n Heartbreaks (inside)
12:45 a.m. - ccbb (inside)
1:30 a.m. - Dead Dog (inside)

Saturday, July 21
7:00 p.m. - Sea of Dogs (outside)
7:30 p.m. - SheHeHe (outside)
8:00 p.m. - K I D S (inside)
8:30 p.m. - Zebra Mussels (outside)
9:00 p.m. - Boycycle (inside)
9:30 p.m. - TaterZandra (outside)
10:00 p.m. - Life Coach (inside)
10:30 p.m. - Shepherds (outside)
11:00 p.m. - Incendiaries (inside)
11:30 p.m. - Mad Axes (outside)
12:00 a.m. - DJ Mahogany & Jon Thompson (outside)
12 a.m. - Bambara (inside)
12:45 a.m. - Manray (inside)
1:30 a.m. - Savagist (inside)