The secret’s out
The Secret Stages Music Discovery Festival, now in its seventh year, will return to downtown Birmingham on Aug. 4-5.
As usual, Secret Stages features up-and-coming acts from Birmingham, the South and the United States that are on the cusp of making it big.
“Our soul is built around the idea of discovery,” said Sam George, the festival’s creative director and a co-founder.
And to hear organizers tell it, this year’s Secret Stages will be special.
The line-up is “incredibly diverse, both musically and demographically, with acts of all shapes and sizes, from all corners of the country,” George said.
“It's more musically diverse than past lineups,” event director and co-founder Jon Poor said. “There are some really polished pop acts that have me intrigued. That feels like a new element to me.”
Of course, music fans in the Magic City can make up their own minds when Secret Stages presents about 60 bands — including a dozen acts from Birmingham, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa and Decatur — at various venues in the Magic City’s Loft District.
And all of those venues will be located within a roughly two-block radius, making Secret Stages an intimate, walking event.
“For that one weekend, the Loft District … becomes a music haven,” said Travis Morgan, the festival’s programmer and a co-founder.
The wide range of acts include:
► The Anthony Pirog Trio from Washington, D.C., led by Pirog, an accomplished avant-jazz guitarist.
► Anwar Sadat, an industrial band from Louisville that incorporates punk and no-wave noise.
► Afrobeta, an electronic duo from Miami known for strong vocals and keyboards.
► Wolfpack ATL, a big brass band from Atlanta that was voted “best local jazz band” by Creative Loafing.
► Adam Torres, a guitarist and songwriter from Austin who has been praised by Stereogum, VICE and Popmatters.
► Canadian singer-songwriter Devon Sproule, now based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and known for being lyrically and musically adventurous.
► Dogwood, a rock band from Montevallo that has played since the 1970s but will make its first record later this year.
As usual, there will be a solid dose of hip-hop at the event, with acts chosen by DJ and LOBOTOMIX founder Rashid Qandil.
Geographically, Secret Stages will present acts from more than 30 cities, including Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Philadelphia
Honoring the “secret” stages theme, the festival — as always — will have some secret sets that will be announced on social media a short time before the performances occur.
Most important, Secret Stages — established in 2011 after the demise of the City Stages music festival — also seeks to showcase homegrown talent.
Local acts will include Bessemer rapper Skoolie Escobar; hip-hop artist Richard Daniel, known for a smooth delivery and Southern charm; Glories, a post-rock band with three albums to their credit; Alabama Rose, a rock and roll band who just released their first album this year; and Timber, a collaboration between veteran musicians Janet Simpson and Will Stewart.
According to George, Secret Stages has been “an integral part” of the development of the local scene. And while the musicians deserve the credit for creating “amazing work,” Secret Stages has “provided an important showcase for that work and an environment in which they can mingle with other up-and-coming peers from around the country, and develop relationships that might lead to exposure and work for them on down the road,” George said.
The Secret Stages founders, who work year round to make the event happen, said they turn into fans on festival weekend.
“As a music lover, I’m stoked just to be able to be there myself and see these bands up close and personal,” George said. “Every year I come away with new favorite bands, and the chance to see them before they get too big for intimate venues is priceless.”
Secret Stages Music Discovery Festival
► When: Friday, Aug 4, and Saturday, Aug. 5, 5:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
► Info: For more information or to order tickets, go to secretstages.net
Details
► The festival box office – located in the parking lot between Pale Eddie’s and Rogue Tavern – will open at noon Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.
► The venues, all located in the downtown Loft District, will be Rogue Tavern, Pale Eddie’s, Urban Standard and Jazzy’s on First. There will also be two outdoor stages and a graffiti wall.
► Day passes will be $30, weekend passes $50 and VIP passes $100.
► VIP Pass holders will have access to all Secret Stages venues and events plus the VIP Lounge, which will feature complimentary food, beer and spirits, as well as DJ sets.
► There are a limited number of “Rumor Tier” discount tickets available, with day passes for $25, weekend passes for $40 and VIP passes for $80. Check the website for availability.
► Volunteers to help out with Secret Stages are always welcome. Perks include an exclusive crew T-shirt, a weekend pass and the option to upgrade to a VIP pass for cheap. Visit the website for more information.