Immersive SquadAFROPUNK’s Carnival of Consciousness returns this Saturday and Sunday for another weekend of artistry, style, and influence. Originating in 2005 in Brooklyn, New York, the festival has grown into an international sensation with AFROPUNK Fest offshoots taking place in London, Paris, Johannesburg, and Atlanta. Originally conceived as a platform to promote people of color within the mostly white punk subculture, AFROPUNK has since become a multicultural event welcoming artists, activists, and music fans alike. Indeed, the Carnival of Consciousness goes beyond just music — attendees are exposed to original fine art, grassroots community organizations, a DIY marketplace, and the ‘Bites & Beats’ Food Festival, as well.
Featuring heavyweights like Solange, Miguel, Willow Smith, Danny Brown, and more, this year’s lineup is one to remember, and this includes plenty of homegrown talent that you won’t want miss. Below we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite locals, so dive in, have a listen, and plan your weekend accordingly.
Credit: Titouan Massé
Algiers
Playing Sun., Oct. 15
A carnival of consciousness wouldn’t be complete without the soul-shaking prophecies of Algiers. These three prodigal sons of the ATL (and one seemingly octo-limbed Brit) howl at abusive authorities from a wire-strewn pulpit, commanding maelstroms of liturgical fervor and diabolical noise. Two years back, Algiers landed on Matador and jammed signals everywhere with demented industrial pulses and raging gospel choirs; now, with their monolithic follow-up The Underside of Power, they’ve stormed stages across the globe and enthralled audiences with intense, ever-revolving spectacles. Catch the band while they’re here before they jet off across the country again. – Lee Adcock
More Info
Web: algierstheband.com
Facebook: @algierstheband
Instagram: @algierstheband
SoundCloud: @algiers
Twitter: @AlgiersMusic
Ash Lauryn
Playing Sun., Oct. 15
Ash Lauryn is a DJ whose mixes primarily consist of music in the dance, techno, and house genres. A native of Detroit, she’s been heavily influenced by the electronic music scene of her hometown. Since moving to Atlanta, she’s worked her way up the ranks and has since begun hosting her own event series, Orbit, as well as a bi-monthly special event called Expressions. Ash Lauryn’s biggest inspiration is to help preserve the ethnic roots of underground dance. – Johnell Gipson
More Info
Facebook: @ashlauryn313
Instagram: @ash_lauryn_
SoundCloud: @ashlauryn
Twitter: @ashlauryn313
DeCoteau
Playing Sat., Oct. 14
Born in Portland, OR, DeCoteau is a DJ currently based in Atlanta. She is the co-founder of Bae Worldwide, a collective of women dedicated to breaking down the societal barriers of female artistry. Since founding the movement, DeCoteau has curated a number of events in Atlanta alongside fellow DJs Ohso, Mikkoh, and Hourglass. DeCoteau’s mixes blend genres effortlessly, blurring the lines between dance, techno, hip-hop and more. – JG
More Info
Facebook: @ashlauryn313
Instagram: @ddecoteau
SoundCloud: @ddecoteau
Twitter: @desireedecoteau
Divine Interface
Playing Sun., Oct. 15
DJ and producer Drew Briggs, aka Divine Interface, is one of those rare, chameleon-like performers who can adapt his sets to suit most any crowd or mood — from bleary goth-industrial din to hazy, narcotic funk and hip-hop, Briggs sound is mutable, but not without its own unique identifiers. As a resident DJ at the Sound Table, Briggs has built himself a sizable following, one he’ll look to expand upon when he releases his new EP, Precious Cargo, on Nov. 17. – Guillermo Castro
More Info
Facebook: @DivineInterface
Instagram: @wifi_daddy
SoundCloud: @divineinterface
Twitter: @imdrew
Hourglass
Playing Sat., Oct. 14
Hourglass is a DJ, producer, and event manager from Charlotte. After relocating to Atlanta, she worked her way into the music industry as contributor for online music publications Genius.com and TheWellVersed.com. Around 2012 she found her way into deejaying, eventually becoming a member of Atlanta’s creative collective, WERC Crew. Hourglass frequently spins at WERC’s monthly events Whine, The Groove, and Smothered + Covered, playing records that span from house to hip-hop to reggae. Hourglass has performed at A3C, with Bae Worldwide, and at previous Afropunk festivals. – JG
More Info
Facebook: @hourglassWERC
Instagram: @djhourglass
SoundCloud: @dj-hourglass
Twitter: @djhourglass
Martina McFlyy
Playing Sun., Oct. 15
One of the most sought-after DJs in the nation, Martina McFlyy is a highly anticipated act at Afropunk. Although she has a background in classical instrumentation, hip-hop and electronic music are the staples of her musical style. McFlyy has performed at a number of national music festivals such as SXSW, Counterpoint, A3C, and more. She’s also worked with several major brands and events, including New York Fashion Week, NBA All-Star Weekend, Nike, and Virgin Airlines, and currently hosts her own weekly party in Atlanta, titled PRICELESS. McFlyy helped open popular Atlanta boutique, Epitome, and has since been featured by Nylon Magazine. – JG
More Info
Web: martinamcflyy.com
Facebook: @djmartinamcflyy
Instagram: @martinamcflyy
SoundCloud: @martinamcflyymusic
Twitter: @MMCFLYY
Pay to Cum
Playing Sun., Oct. 15
With a moniker that namechecks D.C. hardcore punk legends Bad Brains, it’s not difficult to figure out where Pay to Cum’s loyalties lie. On the whole, the local five-piece play raw, fast, aggressive East Coast hardcore that bristles with frenetic intensity. But much like their musical forebearers, the band is capable of tempering their pummeling assault with offbeat breakdowns and moments of quiet reverie that include detours into blissed-out reggae and polished rock. Afropunk has evolved immensely over the years, and while few bands on the bill cater to the festival’s POC punk and rock roots, Pay to Cum is certainly one of them. – Avery Shepherd
More Info
Bandcamp: paytocum.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @paytocum
Stefan Ringer
Playing Sun., Oct. 15
ATLien Stefan Ringer, aka REKchampa, has been a major voice in the Atlanta dance and electronic scene since the start of the decade, releasing a prolific amount of leading-edge house music on labels such as NDATL, CGI, and Argot. His sound slips comfortably between soulful and rump-shaking, dreamy and grimy, and he’s not afraid to risks, working in everything from darkwave to post-punk into his sets. All this makes Ringer one of the most versatile acts to perform at this year’s festival, so if you’re searching for something more adventurous and unpredictable, don’t miss out. – GC
More Info
Bandcamp: rekchampa.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @REKchampa
SoundCloud: @rekchampa
Twitter: @REKchampa
Credit: Chad Hess
10th Letter
Playing Sun., Oct. 15
It’s hard to find a more prolific producer in Atlanta than Jeremi Johnson. Over the past two years, Johnson has released four LPs, two soundtracks, and a live album as 10th Letter, while working to redefine the conceptual limits of electronica. Johnson has always woven philosophical and political questions into his expansive tracks, and even when he’s not exploring the mysteries of existence, his futuristic arrangements explode with kaleidoscopic splendor. – Russell Rockwell
More Info
Web: 10thlettermusic.com
Bandcamp: 10thletter.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @10thLetterMusic
SoundCloud: @10th-letter
Twitter: @10thxletter
Xavier BLK
Playing Sat., Oct. 14
Xavier BLK has been a staple of Atlanta’s underground party scene for just over five years. His Caribbean lineage is the primary inspiration behind his unorthodox mixes, frequently blending hard-hitting basslines with reggae melodies and R&B tunes. Xavier is a co-founder of Atlanta’s creative collective, WERC Crew, and is a frequent performer at MJQ and Graveyard Tavern, two of the city’s most renowned dance venues. Xavier has been featured on Sirius XM’s Sway in the Morning show, and continues to plan events and parties in Atlanta. – JG
More Info
Web: xavierblk.com
Facebook: @xavierblk
Instagram: @xavierblk
SoundCloud: @xavierblk
Tumblr: xavierblk.tumblr.com
Twitter: @XavierBLK
Afropunk Festival Atlanta goes down this Sat. and Sun., Oct. 14-15, at 787 Windsor St. Doors open at 1 p.m. Day passes are SOLD OUT. Weekend passes are $90. All Ages.
More Info
Web: afropunkfest.com
Facebook: @AFROPUNK
Instagram: @afropunk
Twitter: @afropunk