Don Giovanni Records Announce Lineup for the New Alternative Music Festival in Asbury Park

The Don Giovanni Records New Alternative Music Festival is jam-packed. It may include break-dancing from label co-head Joe Steinhardt.

Convention Hall

Our friends over at New Brunswick's Don Giovanni Records have just made an epic announcement about their New Alternative Music Festival, coming September 16th-18th, 2016 to Asbury Park's Convention Hall. Billed as an alternative to the corporately-run major festivals that have proliferated over the last decade, the one-time only NAMF will reclaim -- if only for one weekend -- the terms "alternative" and "independent" from the branding and marketing speak of the music industry.

From the announcement:

"Who will be there: Antibodies, Aye Nako, Daniel Bachman, Big Eyes, Mal Blum, California X, Chain And The Gang, Nato Coles, Downtown Boys, Dusk, Dyke Drama, Giant Peach, Girlpool, Izzy True, Jamie Kilstein and The Agenda, Kindling, Amy Klein, Longings, Mikey Erg, Mirah, Moor Mother Goddess, Nude Beach, Ought, Outer Spaces, P.S. Eliot, Painted Zeros, Pinkwash, Puff Pieces, Radiator Hospital, Roadside Graves, Sammus, Screaming Females, Selector Dub Narcotic, Shellshag, Laura Stevenson, Tenement, The Max Levine Ensemble, The Rememberables, Trophy Wife, Try The Pie, Upset, Vagabon, Worriers + MORE ANNOUNCED SOON

Who will not: Multi-national corporations

The New Alternative Music Festival is not just a concert it is also an intentional event. It's an attempt to gather together bands with diverse sounds, but common values. The performers are independent artists without ties to major labels or corporate music distribution. There will be no sponsors, no backdoor advertising via branded content, or other base money-making schemes.

This is a pro-weirdo event held in direct opposition to the apolitical sludge that has come to pass as "indie" and that has nothing to do with operating independently. Where many festivals reflect critical acclaim, the NAMF lineup is meant to reflect a community. In addition to making great music, many of these artists are involved because they are peers, tourmates, and friends."

I can speak from having attended a few of the annual showcases put on by Don Giovanni Records, and the one thing that I have always taken away from those events is the sense of community and togetherness that they foster. In addition, this is an unbelievable lineup of great bands (including a P.S. Eliot reunion??!!??) and promises to be one of the best weekends of the year.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and are eminently reasonable at $28 per day ($30 at the door) with a $75 3-day pass.

This is a great event for music and a great event for Asbury Park. Keep it tuned here for more information as it becomes available.