Win a FREE All Acess Badge to the Northside Music Festival

You may have noticed an abundance of cut-off shorts and a general congenial attitude going around, well make no mistake, New Yorker’s are amped for summer. And with this new season marks the beginning of outdoor music festivals and shows. Sure there’s Coachella, Bonnaroo, and the hippest of the hip, Pitchfork festival, but not everyone has the cash flow to embark on a cross-country trip. Why not check out the one in your own backyard with the L Magazine’s annual Northside Festival. Starting tonight, local bands will take over every possible music venue in Brooklyn and camp out for the next four days for your enjoyment. With over 300 bands this year, there’s sure to be plenty of old favorites and new up and comers to check out.

Lucky for you, we’re Giving Away 1 Northside Badge which grants you access to all the scheduled music and art  shows, film screenings, AND discount drinks and food at participating vendors. Badges normally will cost you $50, but if you send an email to Info@BrokeAssStuart.com, you’re entered in the running to win a free badge of your own on us! Visit the L Magazine to find out all the details of what comes with a Northside Badge.

Even if you don’t snag a free pass, you should still check out this all weekend event to see some great bands, check out Williamsburg’s very own new movie theater, and local art shows that showcase how eclectic and talented this neighborhood really is. If you’re feeling overwhelmed just reading the first paragraph of this post, here’s a little cheat sheet so you don’t miss the essentials.

Thursday

As a fixture on the nightlife promotion scene, GBH is throwing a party at Warsaw in Greenpoint including the lovely ladies of Au Revoir Simone headlining. They will be joined by The Hundred in Hands, CallmeKAT and DJ Set by Runaway.

If you’ve got itchy feet, get your dance on at Public Assembly, where it kids, Dinosaur Feathers and Fang Island (among others) will have you fist pumping with the best of them.

Also check out the Knitting Factory to see (former) Pitchfork faves and lo-fi lovers, Wavves return to the stage at Knitting Factory. A little humility never hurt anyone and they’ve never failed to churn out some instant summer hits.

If you want to take it easy before you venue hop all weekend, seek refuge in the dark coolness of the Indie Screen theater. They’ll be showing, “The Imperialists at Still Alive”, which just graced the screen at Sundance.

Friday

Is it a coincidence that the Fiery Furnaces penned an awesome song called, “Here Comes the Summer”, I think not. Join these local legends when they take the stage at Brooklyn Bowl, all while you feast on Blue Ribbon french bread pizza (Stouffer’s flashback anyone?) and maybe sling a ball or two.

If you love catchy girl-guy duos or Lays potato chips, check out the duo Slow Club at Europa for some serious make-out music. They’ll be joined by Netherfriends and Phil and the Osophers (oh you kids and your clever band names).

Also don’t miss Woodist Records showcase at the Music Hall of Williamsburg including Real Estate, Woods, the Fresh and Onlys, Sic Alps, and Moon Duo.

Ever found yourself watching the Oscars, and the Best Animation segment comes up, and you wonder to yourself, where can I see all these kick-ass shorts without having to endure the eye and ear mutual stabbing that is the Oscars?! See them all at Indie screen’s Best of NYC Animation, with a Q & A to follow.

Saturday

Call me a Greenpoint newbie, but I’ve never even heard of Newton Barge Park. which is now MetroPCS Stage and will be hosting some of the biggest events of the festival. Get there early for Titus Andronicus, Male Bonding and the Cults which kick off at 1:00pm. Stick around for my personal faves, High Places, The Liars and Fucked Up at 6pm.

Get exposed to bands even your roommates haven’t name-dropped yet at the Brooklyn Vegan’s showcase at both Europa and Music Hall of Williamsburg respectively.

Sunday

Last but not least, FREEWilliamsburg will be wrapping things up with their showcase at Brooklyn Bowl, with special guests Keepaway, Hooray for Earth, Oh Land, Glass Ghost and the Vivian Girls’ side project- The Babies.

No Brooklyn music shindig would be complete without the stage antics of Tim Harrington and his band Les Savy Fay at the outdoor stage at Newton Barge Park.

To get a taste of all the bands that will be playing this weekend, check out Northside streaming Radio

Ed Note: Entrants to the contest will be automatically added to the Broke Ass Stuart email list unless otherwise requested not to.