Deep Ellum's about to become pretty busy in the next couple weeks. Or is it just that much busier? Starting June 11, Elm St. will swarming with (presumably inked-up) concertgoers for five whole days, thanks to the Elm St. Music and Tattoo Festival. Now in its fifth year, this is the event's biggest, most ambitious installment yet.
Not to miss out on the fun, the neighborhood's big autumn extravaganza, Index Festival, will be having its own mini-celebration on Tuesday, June 17. While festival itself doesn't take place until September, the organizers will host a free party at Trees to unveil this year's lineup.
Last year was the second go-around for Index and it was substantially larger than its first year, 2012. 70 bands showed up for the two-day festival, topped off by the likes of Andrew Bird and the Killer Mike and El-P collaboration, Run the Jewels, with Titus Andronicus and Girl Talk also making appearances. Last year Index took place in the middle of October, but for 2014 it's moved up a month and spreading itself across three full days, September 26 to 28.
This year's lineup is yet to be announced, which is where the party at Trees comes in. Hosted by the folks at Do214, who recently got their feet wet in the Dallas music community with the Charles Bradley show (also at Trees), this particular get-together will be more than a party; it'll be a concert too, with performances by Ume, Booty Fade and other local acts. There will also be free Goose Island beer on hand. And oh, did we mention it's free?
