south by so what?!

Updated So What?! Music Festival Lineup

Last month, the So What?! Music Festival announced the lineup for its ninth edition which will be taking place on March 19th and 20th at Quiktrip Park in Grand Prairie, TX. The lineup so far is pretty damn incredible, including acts Underoath, New Found Glory, Bayside, Blessthefall, State Champs and Saosin. Just a couple of weeks ago, the festival updated its lineup, adding over 20 additional artists. You can find the fully updated list below!

For more information on the festival, including tickets and packages, click here!

Saturday, March 19th:
New Found Glory, Bayside, Neck Deep, State Champs, Real Friends, Blessthefall, Citizen, Emery, Escape The Fate, Fenix TX, Have Mercy, Hundredth, Knuckle Puck, Miss May I, New Years Day, Slaves, This Wild Life, Turnover, Unwritten Law, 7 Minutes In Heaven, A Will Away, Bad Luck, Bonfires, Capsize, Capture The Crown, Forever Came Calling, Hotel Books, Like Pacific, Major League, Mariner, Milk Teeth, Movements, My Only Safe Haven, Myka Relocate, Outline In Color, Picturesque, Radio City, Seasons Change, Seaway, SECRETS, Sorority Noise, Speak Low If You Speak Love, The Plot In You, Too Close To Touch, Under Dog House, Where Crowds May Gather, Will Deely

Sunday, March 20th:
Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada, Saosin w/Anthony Green, Beartooth, Dance Gavin Dance, Silverstein, The Word Alive, Being As An Ocean, Born of Osiris, Emarosa, He Is Legend, I See Stars, Stray From The Path, The Contortionist, Zao, ’68, A Lot Like Birds, Artifex Pereo, Assuming We Survive, Chunk! No Captain Chunk!, Covet with Yvette Young, Cruel Hand, Currents, Fire From The Gods, Ghost Key, Hail The Sun, Hazing, Kingdom of Giants, Little Envy, Kublai Khan, Monuments, Rarity, Silent Planet, Stolas, The CMDWN, The Ongoing Concept, Tides of Man, Uh Huh Baby Yeah, Words Like Daggers

The 9th Annual So What?! Music Festival Announced

If you’re asking yourself, ‘wait – I thought it was called South By So What?!,’ you are correct. The music festival is back for it’s ninth year under the new name So What?! and will be taking place on March 19th and 20th at Quiktrip Park in Grand Prairie, TX. The lineup so far is pretty damn incredible, including acts Underoath, New Found Glory, Bayside, Blessthefall, State Champs, Saosin, and more!

Tickets are $50 for both Saturday and Sunday, but fans can also purchase a 2-day weekend pass for only $75! In addition, there will be three different VIP packages:
–VIP Star Package is $150 and includes: 2-day VIP ticket, limited edition festival poster, t-shirt, 3D Laminate, Souvenir 3D ticket, early entry, full access to the pre/after party, and meet and greet!
–VIP Rockstar Package is $250 and includes: 2-day VIP ticket, main stage VIP viewing area with private bathrooms, limited edition festival poster, t-shirt, 3D Laminate, Souvenir 3D ticket, early entry, vip area access, full access to the pre/after party, and So What?! Festival water bottle
–VIP Superstar Package is $350 and includes: 2-day VIP ticket, main stage VIP viewing area with private bathrooms, limited edition festival poster, t-shirt, 3D Laminate, Souvenir 3D ticket, early entry, vip area access, full access to the pre/after party, So What?! Festival water bottle, parking in front lot just steps from entry gate and exclusive parking pass air freshener!

Below you can find the full list of artists that have been announced so far and which date they will be performing at!

Saturday, March 19^th:
New Found Glory, Bayside, Neck Deep, State Champs, Real
Friends, Blessthefall, Escape The Fate, Knuckle Puck, Citizen, This Wild Life,
Emery, Turnover, New Years Day, Have Mercy, Hundredth, 7 Minutes In Heaven, A
Will Away, Bad Luck, Bonfires, Capture The Crown, Currents, Ghost Key, Hotel
Books, Like Pacific, Major League, Mariner, Milk Teeth, Movements, My Only Safe
Haven, Myka Relocate, Outline In Color, Radio City, Seasons Change, Seaway,
SECRETS, Silent Planet, Sorority Noise, Too Close To Touch

Sunday, March 20^th:
Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada, Saosin
w/Anthony Green, Beartooth, The Word Alive, Born of Osiris, Zao, The
Contortionist, I See Stars, Stray From The Path, He Is Legend, Emarosa, Being
As An Ocean, ’68, Artifex Pereo, Assuming We Survive, Covet with Yvette Young,
Cruel Hand, Currents, Hazing, Kingdom of Giants, Little Envy, Monuments, Rarity
Stolas, The CMDWN, The Ongoing Concept, The Plot In You, Tides of Man

Underoath Announce Rebirth Tour

Yesterday was quite an exciting day for fans of Underoath. First, the band announced they would be getting back together to perform at South By So What?!, Day 2, this upcoming March. Then, they announced a full US tour where the band will be performing both They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define The Great Line in their entirety each night! Check out the announcement video here and the full list of tour dates below!

3.16 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live
3.19 – San Bernardino, CA @ 2016 Self Help Festival
3.20 – Dallas, TX @ South By So What
3.21 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
3.22 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
3.23 – San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec Theater
3.25 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Marquee
3.26 – Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
3.28 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
3.30 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODO
3.31 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
4.1 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
4.2 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
4.3 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
4.4 – Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre
4.6 – Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre
4.7 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
4.8 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
4.9 – Grand Rapids, MO @ Orbit Room
4.10 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
4.11 – Nashville, TN @ Rocketown
4.13 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
4.14 – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
4.15 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
4.16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
4.17 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
4.19 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
4.20 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore
4.21 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVA
4.22 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
4.23 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle

LOL Gallery: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 4

What: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 4
When: 3/20/15-3/22/15
Where: QuikTrip Park; Grand Prairie, TX
By: Mercedes Guzman

For full gallery, click here!

LOL Gallery: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 3

What: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 3
When: 3/20/15-3/22/15
Where: QuikTrip Park; Grand Prairie, TX
By: Mercedes Guzman

For full gallery, click here!

LOL Gallery: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 2

What: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 2
When: 3/20/15-3/22/15
Where: QuikTrip Park; Grand Prairie, TX
By: Mercedes Guzman

For full gallery, click here!

LOL Gallery: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 1

What: South By So What?! Music Festival – Part 1
When: 3/20/15-3/22/15
Where: QuikTrip Park; Grand Prairie, TX
By: Mercedes Guzman

For full gallery, click here!

5 Questions With: Fine Fine Titans [SBSW Edition]

We spoke with Michigan post-hardcore band, Fine Fine Titans,
about their experience at South By So What?!, new music, and the best advice
they’ve received! Check out our interview with the band below!

What act were you
most excited to catch at South By So What?! and did they meet your expectations?
It’s difficult to say which act we
were the most pumped about seeing as the lineup was incredible this year but we
can’t deny our love for Circa Survive and, of course, our hometown boys in La
Dispute. Both bands blew our expectations out of the water and after having
known and seen La Dispute for years, we knew to expect a great show but
somehow, they took their performance and musicianship one step further. So
proud of and excited for those guys.

It’s been about a year since you guys have released an EP. Is there any new
music in the works right now? If so, can you tell us a little about what fans
can expect to hear?
We actually just wrapped up recording
for a full length album in January! As the mixing is still in process, we’re
not sure when to expect a release for it but we can say that our direction is
one in which may or may not surprise a few of our fans. The music is more
dynamic and intricate. Maybe not so aggressive as past releases but perhaps
emotionally heavier. It’s a new turn for the band considering a modified lineup
and a natural evolution of us as people and as musicians.

Where did the name Fine Fine Titans come from?
The original guitar player of the
band was the one who brought the name to us. We never really did pinpoint the
idea behind the name. I don’t think we cared much at the time what our name
was, we just wanted to do it quickly so we could start booking shows. It
definitely doesn’t hurt that it doesn’t make any sense because it causes people
to stop and wonder. It’s pretty ridiculous, really, but I guess that’s us.

You guys have played alongside some incredible bands including Dead Sara,
blessthefall, I See Stars, and Still Remains, to name a few. What is the best
advice any of the other bands you’ve performed with have given you?
It’s been an honor to share the stage
with the bands that we’ve been so lucky to. Over the last few years, we’ve
grown close to T.J. of Still Remains and he’s given great advice when it comes
to vocals, specifically screaming and keeping your voice healthy while on the
road. We’re also very close to our friends in Brighter Than a Thousand Suns and
any time we are having doubts or trouble with the band, those three (Angelika,
Randy and Andre) have really brought us back down to earth and empathized with
us. We often joke that if we could just combine bands, we would in a heartbeat.

What can we expect next from Fine Fine Titans?
An LP! With that album, the
possibilities are endless and right now, we’re in a hurry-up-and-wait
situation. We’re really working on keeping our eyes focused on the future with
open minds. In the mean time, you can keep your eyes peeled for another cover
in the near future in the same fashion that we released our Glassjaw cover on
Youtube. Go check it out! www.youtube.com/finefinetitans

And thank you, Lucy Out Loud!

5 Questions With: The Maine [SXSW/SBSW Edition]

The guys of The Maine have been crazy busy lately, performing at both South By Southwest and South By So What?!, releasing their new album in just a few days, and heading out on the American Candy tour. We caught up with guitarist, Jared Monaco, about what they’ve been up to, what it was like performing at both South By festivals, and the band’s new album! Check out the interview below!

So we talked with you guys a while back, on the Anberlin tour. Other than the album, what’s new?
Right now we’re at home preparing for the American Candy tour! As I write this, I’m in the middle of fixing up a couple of my guitars to bring on the road.

Not only did you play South By So What?! this past weekend, but you also played South By Southwest. What is the difference in atmosphere between the two
festivals? Do you have a preference in which you prefer playing?
I think South by Southwest has become this weird blend of music and branding and tech stuff and corporate sponsors and yada yada. It’s cool to be there and play a show, but I don’t think we have any interest in impressing labels or agents or any of the industry related stuff that goes with it. Our goal is to play a show for anyone willing to
watch. We were lucky enough to play at Emo’s in Austin, which is isolated from
the hustle and bustle of the main events. It was a great show! South by So What
was cool too! It was rainy and outdoors and messy, but it was punk rock, it was
just a throw-and-go kind of show. I think I lean more towards club shows, but I
don’t mind a rainy festival too.

People seem pretty excited for the new record and singles that have been released thus far. How have you all felt about the initial reaction?
Personally, I’m fired up. It’s nice to be releasing new material, and it’s a bonus to see it received so well. I’ve had such a positive attitude towards these songs ever since we finished the album in Joshua Tree. To me, I felt like I could sense how our fans would react
to the new stuff. After releasing 2 tracks already, I just want to keep this momentum and keep moving forward. All good vibes.

Since both South By So What?! and South By Southwest is filled with tons of incredible acts, were you excited to catch any artists in particular? Did you stumble across any new artists that you are now a fan of?
Yeah! I watched Title Fight at South By So What. It was rad. I love their new album. Also, our good friends in Mayday Parade! Love running into that group of hunks.

American Candy is being released in just a few days. Is there one song on the new album that you’re most proud of or you’re the most excited for people to hear? If so, what song is it and why?
I really love the title track, “American Candy”. It started out as a mid-tempo, piano-based tune, and we had this idea to make it as loud and as rocking as possible. It became more of an anthemic vibe instead, and I think lyrically it conveys one of the strongest messages on the album.

5 Questions With: Fire From The Gods [SBSW Edition]

We spoke with Austin natives, Fire From The Gods, about their experience at South By So What?!, The Alumni Tour, and the best advice they’ve been given! Below is our interview with vocalist, AJ Channer!

You guys are actually
from Austin, TX, so South By So What?! is almost like a hometown show for you
guys. Was there any pressure in putting together a better performance because
of this?
The show totally felt like a hometown
show. There were so many bands on the bill that we have played with on the
past. We each had to step it up when we played in front of our friends as well
the folks from Texas that know the music but haven’t seen fire live!

For those that aren’t aware, Fire From The Gods was chosen to join The Alumni
Tour from over 1000 unsigned bands. Can you tell us a little about the tour and
what your reaction was to learning that you guys had been chosen as the tours
headliner?
It was a huge honour. We played the
first leg of the Alumni tour earlier this year so we were pumped to play the
2nd leg as well. We have been involved in the headbang program for about a year
now and there are some incredible local artist involved in the headbang set up.
So it was huge for us to get the slot.

What act were you most excited to catch at South By So What?! and did they meet
your expectations?
Oh man there were a lot of bands I
wanted to see all weekend but I was most stoked for Norma Jean and Beartooth. Perfect blend of heavy with
hardcore roots.

You guys are all about diversity and not fitting into any cookie-cutter mold,
which definitely plays a role into how successful you guys have been thus far.
Everyone has a different way of defining how and when they make it, whether it’s
a radio single or playing sold-out shows. How do you measure your success?
We are pumped on everything right now
as well as all the buzz surrounding the band.
We are still just scratching surface with a lot more to go. Diversity is
a huge part of fire from the gods but we will see in a few years where the
sound is and how that impacts our success.

The list of performers you have played alongside is extremely impressive and
includes acts such as Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Of Mice and Men, The Devil
Wears Prada, Five Finger Death Punch, etc. What is the best advice that one of
those bands has given you?
Great question. Chris met Corey
Taylor at Knotfest and he told Chris to just smile and wave. Most of the dudes
you meet in bigger bands always say the same thing stay humble and stay busy.