Bakery Square
September 13 & 14
Noon to 10 p.m. & noon to 8 p.m.
The second annual Thrival Innovation + Music Festival is back to rock Bakery Square with expanded programming and performances. Hatched during a backyard BBQ as a way to support the local startup community, Thrival has evolved into a weeklong lineup of tech and innovation events, including a unique two-day music festival, that also serves as a fundraiser for East Liberty-based incubators Thrill Mill and Hustle Den.
A celebration of the region’s thriving, and reviving, innovation and entrepreneurship, Thrival brings together leading innovation experts, thought leaders, cutting-edge artists, disruptive thinkers and opinion makers for an exploration of trends of today and tomorrow. For its second installment, Thrival boasts four times the amount of programming as compared to 2013, including an expanded roster of 15 music acts playing over two days, along with the addition of several Pittsburgh-based acts.
Bobby Zappala, co-founder and CEO of Thrill Mill, says he expects more than 5,000 people to attend Thrival events over the course of the week. In 2013, Zappala says that Thrival generated $25,000 to support the next round of startups.
Capping off two packed days of conferences and workshops are headlining sets by internationally acclaimed musicians Moby (DJ set) and Portugal. The Man.
Hailing from Wasilla, AK, Portugal. The Man released Evil Friends, the group’s seventh full-length album, in June 2013 via Atlantic Records. The indie rock quartet’s current lineup features John Gourley, Zach Carothers, Kyle O’Quin and Jason Sechrist. Portugal. The Man performs on September 13th at 8:45 pm.
Joining Portugal. The Man on Saturday are Phosphorescent, Talib Kweli, Motion City Soundtrack, MisterWives and Raury, as well as Pittsburgh bands The Red Western, 1,2,3 and Tairey.
Headlining on September 14th at 6:55 p.m. is renowned singer-songwriter, musician, DJ and producer Moby, who will perform a DJ set. Widely considered to be one of the most significant dance music pioneers of the 1990s, Moby has sold some 20 million albums worldwide. Beyond his contributions to electronic music, Moby is well known for his veganism, essay writing, photography and support for animal rights. He has also co-written, produced and remixed music for Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Daft Punk, Brian Eno, Pet Shop Boys, Britney Spears, New Order, Public Enemy and Metallica. In October 2013, Moby released Innocents, his 11th studio album, via Little Idiot and Mute.
Sunday’s lineup will shift to a focus on EDM sounds, with sets by Moby (DJ set), Green Velvet, Z-Trip, Mayer Hawthorne (DJ set) and Buku, as well as the local DJ collective, Pittsburgh Track Authority.
Thrival also showcases the latest companies developing new businesses in Western Pennsylvania alongside artists, disruptive thinkers and makers who are leading the region’s next renaissance. Daytime sessions, which include workshops exploring gaming, social media, coding and more, will take place at local accelerators and incubators including Thrill Mill, Beauty Shop, AlphaLabGear and the Cloak Room. Additional hosts include Google and UPMC’s Technology Development Center.
Read more about the Thrival Innovation + Music Festival in NEXTpittsburgh.
