We are now less than a week away from local music’s most exciting moment of the Summer. Lawrence Field Day Fest, now in its sixth year, kicks off on Thursday, July 13th. The event is bigger than ever, promising multiple stages across Lawrence (including an outdoor stage) to showcase the area’s hottest talent. With dozens of bands peppered across Downtown in every nook and cranny, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when deciding which venues to hit up. So we asked the experts to weight in on how to survive Field Day Fest. Here are local musicians weighing in with their recommendations (and festival tips). Everyone listed below is not only an avid music lover, but also a performer you can watch at this year’s festival.
Steve Gardels
Band: The Uncouth
The Uncouth will be performing on Saturday, July 15th, at The Greenhouse Culture’s All Ages Punk Rock Show at 7:30 p.m.
Which act do you recommend everyone see at Lawrence Field Day Fest?
“The Phantastics.”
The Phantastics play The Granada’s Outdoor Stage on Friday, July 14th, at 9:30 p.m.
Why?
“It’s impossible to have a bad time listening to them. They’re an incredible band, but their arrangements and fresh bars are the perfect summer soundtrack.”
Favorite Field Day Fest memory?
“Any time a band refuses to use the stage. Gnarly Davidson (2015) and Bummer (2016) insisted on playing the floor and bringing the party to the crowd as directly as possible. It’s sweaty, fun and frantic.”
Advice for anyone attending the show:
“Make sure you’re hydrating! Also, bring some earplugs; exposure to that much noise can give you a headache and that’ll turn your LFDF adventure into something much less fun. Even if you don’t use them yourself, you can give them to people in need and make new friends (or at least trade them for a beer)!”
Sean Hunt
Approach / Lincoln Marshall
Approach plays the Granada Outdoor Stage on Friday, July 14th, at 6:55 p.m.
Lincoln Marshall play the Lucia stage on Friday, July 14th at 8:00 p.m.
Which act do you recommend everyone see at Lawrence Field Day Fest?
“The Bluez Brothas (Deuce & Louiz Rip).”
The Bluez Brothas play the Datura Records Showcase at Lucia on Friday, July 14th
Why?
“They have a high energy show with incredible wordplay and production. It’s rare to see a group so skill as rappers translate that to an enjoyable, fun live experience. Pure joy.”
Favorite Field Day Fest memory?
“My favorite FDF memory was seeing Radkey for the first time. I walked into the Bottleneck in 2013 and I was blown away by this family band. They were electric that night!”
Advice for anyone attending the show:
“Map out who you wanna see ahead of time. It will be darn near impossible to catch half the artists over the course of the nights.”
Monica George
Band: The Ovaries-eez
The Ovaries-eez play the all-ages Whatever Forever showcase on The Greenhouse Culture stage on Friday, July 14th, at 5:00 p.m.
Which act do you recommend everyone see at Lawrence Field Day Fest?
“Stitch81Classic.”
Stitch81Classic plays the I Heart Local Music showcase at the Jackpot on Saturday, July 15th, at 10:30 p.m.
Why?
“Because their raps are super real and political, and there aren’t enough rappers out there doing what Stitch does. Plus they just played at Girls Rock Camp and it was lit!”
Favorite Field Day Fest memory?
“My favorite part is seeing all my friends play shows all in one weekend!”
Advice for anyone attending the show:
“Show up early, stay late, drink water, and dance dance dance.”
Matt Perrin
Band: Bummer
Bummer plays the High Dive Records all-ages showcase at the Bottleneck on Friday, July 14th, at 9:15 p.m.
Which act do you recommend everyone see at Lawrence Field Day Fest?
“There’s a couple I definitely would recommend. Sex Snobs, Gigantic, Wendy Moira.”
Sex Snobs play the High Dive Records showcase at the Bottleneck on Friday, July 14th, at 8:30 p.m.
Gigantic play the Eighth Street Taproom on Thursday, July 13th, at 12:15.
Wendy Moira play the I Heart Local Music Showcase at the Jackpot on Saturday, July 15th, at 9:30 p.m.
Why?
“Sex Snobs is from OKC, known them for a while. They’re about to have a new record on High Dive, and they really like strawberries.
Gigantic is one of the best bands from Springfield, MO. Rock n roll. Peep that new vid.
Wendy Moira because that band is sick. Reminds me a lot of the band Utah Jazz from Buffalo.”
Favorite Field Day Fest memory?
“Favorite memory definitely is gonna be last year’s fest playing on the floor surrounded by kids going ham. I really love that feeling, it’s a lot more personal than being on a stage. That was one of my favorite shows I’ve ever played, hopefully we can try for a repeat.”
Advice for anyone attending the show:
“Stay Hydrated. Water regulates your body temperature and lubricates your joints. It helps transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy. If you’re not hydrated, your body can’t perform at its highest level.
Also, have fun or something.”
Alexa Sharp
Band: Jade Archetype
Jade Archetype plays the Granada Outdoor Stage on Friday, July 14th, at 6:00 p.m.
Which act do you recommend everyone see at Lawrence Field Day Fest?
“Emmaline Twist.”
Emmaline Twist plays the Bottleneck on Thursday, July 13th, at 10:00 p.m.
Why?
“They are everything you could ever want from a band.”
Favorite Field Day Fest memory?
“Seeing so many people out to support local music.”
Advice for anyone attending the show:
“See as many different bands as you possibly can, its gonna be dope as fuck this year.”
Quinton Cheney
Band: Something and the Whatevers
Something and the Whatevers play The Bottleneck on Thursday, July 13th, at 8:00 p.m.
Which act do you recommend everyone see at Lawrence Field Day Fest?
“Approach.”
Approach plays the Granada Outdoor Stage on Friday, July 14th, at 6:55 p.m.
Why?
“Whether he’s performing solo, as half of Lincoln Marshall, or with the whole Datura crew, you won’t be able to take your eyes of this powder keg of party vibes for more than half a second. He’s one of the most dynamic microphone wielders in town, no question.”
Favorite Field Day Fest memory?
“The memory that stands out in my mind is still year one, day three. We had Deco Auto, The Empty Spaces, and Dean Monkey back-to-back-to-back that afternoon, three bands I’d never seen before who just blew me away. Getting your mind blown three time in under two hours is hard to top.”
Advice for anyone attending the show:
“Wristbands are only $15 this year, so snag one, scope out the schedule, and show hop to your hearts content. We’ve got more music than ever this year, an outdoor stage, 6 bars, a bookstore, and an all-ages punk show in a friggin’ church. I’m not sure Lawrence has ever seen anything quite like this.”
You can check out Field Day Fest’s full schedule here.