The Fifth Annual New Colossus Festival, a five-day indie music festival that started in 2019, takes place at multiple local music venues from March 6-10, 2024. Arlene’s Grocery hosts the kickoff party on March 6 with Radio Free Brooklyn, featuring PANIK FLOWER (US) poolblood (CA) Hot Garbage (CA) Ultra Q (US) Swutscher (DE) King Bug (US) and Chavez Cartel (AU).
This year’s full lineup features over 130 indie rock bands from the US and around the world.Other local venues hosting big lineups include Rockwood Music Hall, Pianos, Mercury Lounge, Heaven Can Wait, Berlin and (new arrival with old indie roots) Baker Falls.
The aim of the festival, curated by three longtime friends who’ve been working in the industry for the past couple decades, is to bring more live music and quality indie bands back to the Lower East Side. Over the years, the music “scene” has moved from the LES to Williamsburg, to Bushwick and now, even further east, because of ever-rising rent and overhead costs.
Along with live music, the festival touts a variety of industry panels, happy hours and parties. Go here for the full lineup and to buy badges and listen to the official playlist.
We spoke with co-founder Steven Matrick, of Dedstrange Records, about all of it for the latest episode of The Lo-Down Culture Cast, which will be posted later this week!
