Music lovers, rejoice — an impressive selection of musicians are set to perform in Athens this weekend.
Friday will feature ekoostik hookah and Love Alive, two Columbus-based bands, returning to Athens to perform at Jackie O’s Public House, 22 W. Union St. Psychedelic band ekoostik hookah combines rock ’n’ roll, funk, bluegrass, jazz and blues, while Love Alive adds a modern touch to '60s and ‘70s psychedelic rock.
Next door at The Union Bar & Grill, 18 W. Union St., Athens-based duo Hellnaw will rock the upstairs with their one-of-a-kind gritty funk rock. The Bozniak, the one-man cyborg rock band of Brad Swiniarski, will open for Hellnaw.
At Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St., Keeps will perform their psychedelic dream pop. The Nashville duo will be joined by Athens-based Dandelion Hunter, whose Facebook page describes their sound as “slacker noise pop.”
Also on Saturday night, Columbus-based neo-funk band MojoFlo will perform at The Union Bar & Grill, while down Union Street at The Smiling Skull Saloon, 108 W. Union St., three bands — Something Else, The Boot Bandits and Cole Powers — will play.
Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington Street, continues its trend of bringing in intimate acoustic acts. Friday will feature singer-songwriter Megan Bee and a stripped-down show from Americana band Apple & The Moon, while Saturday’s show features vocalist Clara Wilson and pop singer Knox Morris.
On Sunday, several acclaimed artists will perform at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Country musician Chely Wright and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall are the headliners. Wright’s single “Single White Female” reached the top spot on the Billboard country chart in 1999, while Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” topped multiple charts. Wright and Tunstall will be accompanied by Mark Erelli, J.D. Hutchison & Realbilly Jive and Johnny Staats & Robert Shafer.
Central Venue, 29 E. Carpenter St., will host the third annual Community Illumination on Saturday night. The Community Illumination promises poetry, artwork for sale, and music from The Gatherers and Come On, Come Ons.
If You Go
Friday
WHAT: Megan Bee and Apple & The Moon
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington Street
ADMISSION: Free
WHAT: Hellnaw with The Bozniak
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: The Union Bar & Grill, 18 W. Union St.
ADMISSION: $5
WHAT: ekoostik hookah and Love Alive
WHEN: 10 p.m.
WHERE: Jackie O’s Public House, 22 W. Union St.
ADMISSION: $10
WHAT: Keeps with Dandelion Hunter
WHEN: 10 p.m.
WHERE: Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St.
ADMISSION: $5
Saturday
WHAT: Chris Sutton
WHEN: 6 p.m.
WHERE: Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St.
ADMISSION: Free
WHAT: 3rd Annual Community Illumination
WHEN: 6 p.m.
WHERE: Central Venue, 29 E. Carpenter St.
ADMISSION: Free
WHAT: Joe Burdock
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Athens Uncorked, 14 Station St.
ADMISSION: Free, drinks for sale
WHAT: Clara Wilson and Knox Morris
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington Street
ADMISSION: Free
WHAT: MojoFlo
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: The Union Bar & Grill, 18 W. Union St.
ADMISSION: $8 in advance, $10 at door
WHAT: Something Else with The Boot Bandits and Cole Powers
WHEN: 10 p.m.
WHERE: The Smiling Skull Saloon, 108 W. Union St.
ADMISSION: $5
Sunday
WHAT: Chely Wright, KT Tunstall, Mark Erelli, J.D. Hutchison & Realbilly Jive and Johnny Staats & Robert Shafer
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
ADMISSION: $12 for students, $18 for senior citizens, $20 general admission