This week brought us another local festival announcement when Prekindle went live for Oaktopia tickets. The brainchild of old friends Matt Battaglia and Corey Claytor, the fest is $10 and will take place on Saturday, November 16 across Denton's town square: Andy's, Hailey's, Banter, J&J's Pizza and Williams' Square (the Wells Fargo parking lot) will host an impressive lineup including headliner Del The Funky Homosapien. What the organizers lack in experience, they make up for in enthusiasm and refined taste.
"We grew up listening to bands in the smoky basement of J&J's and learning about the real Denton on Fry St, back when the Tomato Pizza was a sanctuary for teens with nowhere else to go." says Battaglia.
Three months ago, he and Claytor formed Monocole, Inc. and set out to get into the talent buying game.
"I called up a venue to book our first official show. Of course, I always find a way to get in over my head.. So I called another venue to see if the date was free... and then another. Until we had five venues, and all the applications for permits to use the courthouse lawn and Williams' Trade Square..." says Battaglia, "We knew we'd need help."
Help is exactly what they'd find in local arts & culture publication, Austere Magazine, which has taken a major role in team Oaktopia.
The most compelling factor in this festival's story is by far is the lineup. These two students of the regional scene have put together a strong representation of North Texas' best live acts, including a refreshing focus on hip-hop. On top of that, you have acts like Black James Franco, New Science Projects, Savage and the Big Beat, and Bukkake Moms, bands sometimes overshadowed by their more well known and accessible counterparts.
Oaktopia 2013 Lineup
Del The Funky Homosapien Brain Gang Biographies The Boombachs -topic, New Science Projects Two Knights Afro Deezy Axe Black James Franco Bashe Savage and the Big Beat Senor Fin Fab Deuce S. Good AV the Great Bukkake Moms She Banshe Sol Tax Groove Bumps Infidelix Wild Bill Sacco and Vanzetti D-MAR Stu Brootal Ewok Tha Kid The Lead Pipes Purl Snap Shirts Sydney Wright Off Route Chris Jessup
