The Shop, Howlers, Cattivo, New Bohemian
July 17, 18 & 19
Various times
Ten years after launching its inaugural event in Olympia, Washington in 2000—spearheaded by such seminal bands as Sleater-Kinney, Bangs and Bratmobile—Ladyfest continues to provide a grassroots forum for supporting feminist and women artists via its music festival, workshops, lectures and more. Ladyfest has gone on to inspire related events all around the globe, from Albuquerque and Amsterdam, to San Francisco and Shanghai.
This weekend, a like-minded homegrown festival—not affiliated with the international version but equally as significant in terms of its mission to support and showcase women making music—will pack three days with concerts featuring 30 female-fronted and female- dominated bands and solo acts. Entirely produced and presented locally—and organized by Athena Kazuhiro along with a crew of volunteers—Ladyfest Pittsburgh takes off where its earlier incarnation, Vulvapalooza, left off.
For its third annual installment, the three-day happening will span Bloomfield, Lawrenceville and the Northside, with live music showcases spotlighting the breadth, depth and diversity of women making music—from punk rock and metal, to indie pop and classical acoustic.
In addition to highlighting an impressive lineup of female-centered bands and solo artists from our region, Ladyfest will also include sets by bands from surrounding cities such as St. Louis, Cleveland, Buffalo and Erie.
Ready to rock? Ladyfest Pittsburgh kicks off with Friday’s first showcase—an all-ages concert at The Shop featuring Trash Bag, Action Camp, Dumplings, Murder for Girls, Brazilian Wax and Roulette Waves. The action continues with a second Friday night showcase for 21 and up audiences at Howlers, with sets by Liss Victory, The Park Plan, The Mud City Manglers, The Fuckies, Sleepy Kitty and Bunny Five Coat.
Day two of Ladyfest Pittsburgh is anchored by alternating concerts both upstairs and downstairs at Cattivo in Lawrenceville. Featured performers include Rebecca R, Derider, Blod Maud, Dream Phone, The Village Bicycle, Dysmorphia, The Lopez, Cruces, Rogue Signals, The Bloated Sluts and Lady Beast.
Wrap up with all of these talented women on Sunday for an all-ages matinee-style showcase at The New Bohemian, located along the Allegheny River on the Northside. Rocking out inside the circa-1900 former Czech Church will be Unraveler, Chattel Tail, Swampwalk, Jamie and the Debt, Pink Flamingos, Boy Scouts and Midge Crickett.
Proceeds from Ladyfest will support the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. Keep up with all of latest news from Ladyfest Pittsburgh, and check out music by all of the performers, via the festival’s Facebook page and Instagram feed.
