Elijah Canick
Arcade Riot
Altura – New Year New Music Party
The Content
Bay Faction
Borne out of an online message board, Bay Faction emerged in the Boston DIY scene in 2015 with the debut of their self-titled record. It was the first release on Counter Intuitive Records with the band’s album pressed on highly coveted vinyl. Following its release, Bay Faction spent 2 years rigorously touring nationwide, developing a cult-like following. After graduation, the band relocated to New York, and camped out in a suburban New Jersey basement to write and record their sophomore record Florida Guilt. The record marked a departure from their earlier style, trading in a conventional rock setup for sampled drums, synths, and vocal processing, embodying the ethos they had long sought to define. Highsnobiety named Bay Faction as “your favorite band you haven’t heard of yet” and nationwide touring ensued to promote their album. On the heels of the pandemic, Bay Faction bid farewell with the release of Swan Dive, their final song before entering hiatus. Now, in 2024, the band relaunched with a sold out tour and release of new singles Drive Home, Eye Sore, and Sunshine, from their highly anticipated forthcoming EP.
Head Change
Koo Koo
The VIP ticket includes a GA ticket, a photo opportunity with Bryan & Neil before the show, a limited edition button, poster, laminate and early entry to the venue. Every person entering the VIP must have a VIP ticket. VIP is from 11am-Noon day of the show. Koo Koo was created by Bryan and Neil in 2008. They met four years prior as freshman at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. After being in a campus rock band for the first few years of college, the guys created Koo Koo as an experimental project for SMU’s annual battle of the bands. The idea centered around crowd participation, comedy and dance music, stretching the concept of a what a “band” could be. The next few years saw Bryan and Neil touring throughout the midwest playing bars, basements and barbecues. Meanwhile they released their first few albums and music videos. In 2010 the band was chosen to support Orange County superhero rock band The Aquabats on their east coast tour. This turned into more support slots with Reel Big Fish and Yo Gabba Gabba Live. Meanwhile Koo Koo began creating “dance-a-long” videos (initially as something of a joke) for their songs in order to help demonstrate the moves that audiences would need to know at their shows. These videos were unexpectedly a hit with elementary school teachers, which led Koo Koo into the world of children’s music and becoming a “real” kids band. More domestic and international touring followed as the guys hit the road with The Vans Warped Tour, Frank Turner & Sleeping Souls, and MC Lars. Concept albums about cats, potty humor, self-help, holidays and Panera Bread added to the band’s discography. Simultaneously, the popularity of their “brain break” dance-a-long videos continued to skyrocket in classrooms around the world. In 2021 Bryan and Neil released their first non-concept album since 2013, partnering with Twin Cities producer extraordinaire Lazerbeak. “Slow Clap” presents a more hip-hop-centric sound with plenty of grooving bass lines and monstrous drums, while retaining the catchy, weirdo-energy fans expect from the band.
mssv
buffchick
The Farewell Season
The Farewell Season plays music made for a long drive down a back highway. The band slides effortlessly from Americana, to folk, to indie and back again. What started as friends passing time across the internet during the pandemic turned into a band that splits time between Omaha and the Twin Cities these days. Formed by frontman Nate Gasaway (The Big Deep) and drummer Taylor Stein (Ten O’Clock Scholars), the lineup is rounded out by Paul Gedbaw on guitar and Justin Crow on bass; both veterans of the Nebraska music scene.
