The headliner list for the 35 Conferette is incredibly impressive this year, with big names like Mavis Staples, Big Boi and !!! highlighting the bill. But, among the 200 and counting bands that are playing the festival, there's also a pretty great lineup of local talent. In fact, almost 100 of 225 acts playing the festival are from North Texas -- certainly nothing to sneeze at.
On that note, while we'll be focusing mostly on the must-see touring acts on the bill in this coming print issue of the Observer as part of our 35 Conferette preview package, we figured it also worth our time and yours to call out some of the can't-miss locals performing at the festival.
After the jump, we take a look at nine such local performers.
Sundress
3:45 p.m. on Thursday at Main Stage #2
This laid-back Denton group has no shortage ofskill, but
after a few setbacks in technical matters (such as what the band will
name itself), they've made their presence known in the past year with
their simple psychedelic dream-pop songs.
Final Club
3:45 p.m. on Friday at Main Stage #2
After making their live debut only a year ago, Final Club has come
a long way, and, as such, their schedule for the next few months is packed with shows in Denton, Austin and Dallas -- no doubt due to the fact
that Final Club's live show is a fascinating spectacle of spacey
pop-rock tunes.
Babar
8 p.m. on Friday at the Square Stage
Math-rock is an unfortunate genre name, but luckily for us,
Denton's Babar has a sound that surpasses it. Their brand of
instrumental rock is much more interesting than algebra, if nothing else.
Novaak
10 p.m. on Friday at Andy's Bar
This Denton pop duo has emerged into local prominence with their ethereal songwriting and expansive sound.
Leg Sweeper
10:50 p.m. on Friday at Hailey's Club
Garage rock duo Leg Sweeper has been making waves with
their catchy tunes, but their live performances are a much more
energetic spectacle -- just two guys playing their heart out.
Paper Robot
11:30 p.m. on Friday at Dan's Silverleaf
Paper Robot is a hard rock-infused act with a distinct '70s vibe,
and the Denton band takes an aggressive and erratic approach to songwriting -- something that's always beneficial to live performances.
Bosque Brown
11 p.m. on Saturday at Dan's Silverleaf
There's little doubt that Bosque Brown is primarily a vehicle for stunning vocalist Mara Lee Miller -- her haunting voice
runs this show. But it's not just about bowling people over with her talents; Bosque Brown's music is pensive and at times morose, and Miller
herself comes off as sort of a female Townes Van Zandt.
Maleveller
11:40 p.m. on Saturday at Sweetwater
Not just a metal band -- but a good metal band -- Malevellar
paves their own way by dodging the black pit of emulation that so many metal bands
have a tendency to fall into.
Cocky Americans
10:50 p.m. on Sunday at Hydrant Cafe
Dallas' Cocky Americans combines pop sensibilities
with some grunge aspects, while managing to keep a very polished sound.
Basically: You know the band is good when they draw comparisons to The Strokes. And, yes, I'm comparing them to The Strokes.
