God Save the QC Fest announces lineup, moves to summer

NoDa's God Save the Queen City Festival is back for a fourth year. This year's show, which takes place August 9, features - as in past years - a lineup of rising indie and local artists. This year's acts include several Nashville-based artists. Rock duo Jeff the Brotherhood headlines with folk-country singer-songwriter Jonny Fritz (who "Rolling Stone" dubbed "One to Watch" in 2013), Americana outfit Apache Relay, rock trio Natural Child, psychedelic garage rockers Clear Plastic Masks and the twangy, fittingly named Promised Land Sound all hail from the Nashville area. Coincidentally last year's lineup was steeped in the deep South.

Black Mountain's longtime buzz band Floating Action represents the NC mountains with several hometown artists filling out the bill. Charlotte's Temperance League, Ancient Cities, the Loudermilks, and Benji Hughes return this year along with Late Bloomer, Sinners and Saints, Elonzo, AM/FMs, Batsheet, and Toleman Randall.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

If you haven't heard of many of the artists, put a little trust in the booking. The 2013 festival - one of my favorite lineups of the year - gave St. Paul and the Broken Bones its Charlotte premier. Now the Alabama group is buzzed about all over the country and drawing droves to Chop Shop to headline its own shows.

Last year also featured the incredible Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires, who have since signed with Sub Pop who releases its new album Tuesday. Their set was like an exorcism, comparable to early Avetts, and made my Top 10 of the year. While I know Apache Relay and Jeff the Brotherhood as well as the bulk of locals artists are great live acts, I have a lot of faith that the other artists on the bill I don't know yet will deliver as well.

For more information and information on how to purchase tickets check out GSTCQ's Facebook page here.