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March 4, 2020

Five Acts to See at Ad·Verse Fest

By Gabe Vodicka

LEYA

With an eclectic approach that mines the space between music, visual and performance art, Ad·verse Fest features an exciting, queer-centric lineup of scrappy newcomers and more road-tested acts, many of which place a heavy emphasis on experimental and electronic modes of creative expression. Here are five artists to check out this weekend.

LEYA Musicians Marilu Donovan and Adam Markiewicz made names for themselves in the New York City punk underground, but as LEYA, the duo goes fully blissed-out ambient, using harp, violin and voice to conjure strange soundscapes.

Wizard Apprentice Bay Area composer Tieraney Carter finds violent beauty in stark techno beats and processes inner pain through pop-forward melody on last year’s Dig a Pit EP. The “digital folk artist” uses video work to accent her striking songs.

Home Body From the small town of Greenfield, MA, Haley Morgan and Eric Hnatow specialize in bold, melodic electropop that has drawn comparisons to pioneering Swedish duo The Knife. The group’s latest LP is last year’s “cosmic, fleshy and electric” Spiritus.

Breathers On their 2018 LP Designed to Break, Atlanta trio Breathers established an exciting new template for weird Southern synthpop, blending detached, John Maus-like melodies with eager, neon-lit dance tracks.

The Queendom Look to nascent hip-hop duo The Queendom—featuring skilled emcees Rhonnie O'Neal and Audia Da Sound—for a taste of what’s next in the ATL underground. Recent single “Duty” is dark, driving, heavy and hypnotic. 

Check out adversefest.space for the full schedule.

Calendar

  • Friday, March 6

    Athens Institute for Contemporary Art: ATHICA

    5–9 p.m. $15 (single day pass for both venues), $25 (full festival). adverfest.space

    Ad·verse Fest

    AD·VERSE FEST A two-day festival curated by AC Carter, with solo and duo acts spanning a variety of musical, visual and performing arts. Featuring John Kiran Fernandes, Josey, Diatom Deli, Bacon Grease and Wizard Apprentice. See Art Notes on p. 20.

  • Friday, March 6

    Caledonia Lounge

    9 p.m. $15 (single day pass for both venues), $25 (full festival). adversefest.space

    Ad·verse Fest

    AD·VERSE FEST A two-day festival curated by AC Carter, with solo and duo acts spanning a variety of musical, visual and performing arts. Featuring Breathers, Stacian, Bustié, Thank You Please, and Mischa Lively and Mannequin Lover. See Art Notes on p. 20.

  • Saturday, March 7

    Athens Institute for Contemporary Art: ATHICA

    5 p.m. $15 (single day pass for both venues), $25 (full festival). adversefest.space

    Ad·verse Fest

    AD·VERSE FEST A two-day festival curated by AC Carter, with solo and duo acts spanning a variety of musical, visual and performing arts. Featuring Kealin, Secret Friends, Saadia Rias, Ivy Hollivana, Romantic Thriller and LEYA. See Art Notes on p. 20.

  • Saturday, March 7

    Caledonia Lounge

    9 p.m. $15 (single day pass for both venues), $25 (full festival). www.caledonialounge.com

    Ad·verse Fest

    AD·VERSE FEST A two-day festival curated by AC Carter, with solo and duo acts spanning a variety of musical, visual and performing arts. Featuring Buddy Crime, The Queendom, Home Body, Dynasty Handbag and N/A Dance Party. See Art Notes on p. 20.

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