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NYU's Strawberry Festival 2014 - Music Preview

Zach Ayer

by Zach Ayer

Published May 2, 2014

As the semester draws to a close and those of us who are still in school begin to drown in a combination of caffeine and final exam work, NYU rewards our efforts with an outdoor festival devoted to the sweet and succulent strawberry.

On Friday May 9th, students can head for the fair grounds, set on LaGuardia place between Washington Sq. Park South and West 3rd Street (smack dab between Bobst and Kimmel) to pick up their share of the "world's longest" strawberry shortcake.

And more importantly, check out a kick-ass lineup of bands!

While the food and events are restricted to students only, the concert portion of the Strawberry Festival is open to the public of all ages. It is also absolutely stacked this year, with four bands that represent some of the best of indie and punk music today. From 12:30 to 4:30, swing by Greenwich Village to bask in the sun and see Titus Andronicus, The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, Rozwell Kid, and For Everest. Check below for more info on each.

Titus Andronicus

Originating from Mahwah, New Jersey and later emigrating to Brooklyn, Titus Andronicus broke ground with their 2010 hit album The Monitor, a loose concept album about the American Civil War. Playing loud, distortion heavy indie punk dripping with Americana and a love for New Jersey, Titus tows the line between tranquility and chaos, managing to churn out consistently great jams all the way.

In their free time, the band runs Shea Stadium in Bushwick, a neat little venue decked out in Mets colors that puts on all sorts of awesome indie shows.

Check out "A More Perfect Union," the opening track of The Monitor:

The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid To Die

Often abbreviated to TWIABP, this Willimantic, Connecticut group takes their long-form name style from post-rock bands such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky. TWIABP have been the forerunners of a new wave of emo since the release of their 2010 EP Formlessness through their exceptional 2013 LP debut Whenever, If Ever. Filling large spaces with the expansive sound of crashing drums and twinkling guitars, TWIABP adds a unique aesthetic to the distinct tone of the American Football-era '90s emo that they draw inspiration from.

Check out "Picture of a Tree That Doesn't Look Okay," a track off of Whenever, If Ever:

Rozwell Kid

Rozwell Kid sounds like the band Weezer should've been if they kept their stride after Pinkerton. Dusting off the distinct party tone of '90s power pop, the West Virginia group makes guitar heavy party songs. Their 2013 release Unmacho holds to a classic punk sense of teenage rebellion, with track titles such as "Bonehead," "Afterparty," and "Dirt Wave."

Check out the album's titular track, "Unmacho":

For Everest

This year's student band, New York's For Everest plays soft pop punk with a great vocal duo dynamic. With emotional lyrics, subtle, twinkling guitar riffs, energetic drums, and the always appreciated addition of some great trumpet lines, the band's debut EP Last of the Dogstronauts shows the realized potential of a band with a long, successful career ahead of them.

Listen to "Exactly The Same," a track off of Last of the Dogstronauts:

Come by LaGuardia Place for a fun day of great music. Again, that's on Friday, May 9th, from 12:30 to 4:30.

More information can be found on the event's Facebook Page.


Poster Artwork Courtesy of Alex Crocetti

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Rozwell Kid The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die Titus Andronicus
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Alt Rock
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