Girl Talk headlines AWOL Festival

DJ and mash-up artist extraordinaire, Girl Talk, will headline the third annual AWOL Festival at Symphony Park. This year the festival, which previously took place in April, will be held July 13.

AWOL has featured headliners Matt and Kim, Mike Posner, and Robert Randolph in previous years while introducing up and coming national artists as well as local acts to Charlotte audiences. That continues this year with an eclectic bill that includes several up and comers in addition to Girl Talk - the Pittsburgh-based former bio-medical research engineer who rose to fame dicing and splicing other artists' tunes for the club.

This year's lineup includes reggae-infused and hip-hop influenced pop singer-songwriter Cris Cab, Manhattan-based rapper Skizzy Mars, and buzzing Atlanta trio, Watch the Duck, who bridge classic soul and electronic music to create a genre dubbed Soulstep. Charlotte acoustic rockers Simplified, EDM/hip-hop duo Styles and Complete, singer-songwriter Brandon Kirkley and his band the Firecrackers, and country group Early Ray represent Charlotte. Tony Arzadon and DJ XJ4000 will keep the party going with DJ sets.

The all-day festival, which kicks off at noon, is a BYOB event. Tickets are available at www.awolcharlotte.com as well as locally at Dandelion Market, Connolly's, and Prohibition.
VIP passes, which include stage side seating, access to a private bar and unlimited drinks, are also available.