FOURTH OF JULY FORTALEZA FUNTIME FREEDOM FEST @ LONE WOLF LOUNGE
THURSDAY, JULY 4 | 2 PM
That header is for brevity; this all-day, four-band party is on the Lincoln Park Promenade, the outdoor space behind Lone Wolf Lounge, accessible from Moodright’s through the Over Yonder rear overhead door. All three bars are throwing the party. The fest kicks off with Dylan Puckett and All the Fixin’s opening with an all-Merle Haggard set, followed by the sweet and sometimes manic bluegrass of Swamptooth. The penultimate set sees Bottles & Cans treat the crowd to their swampy blues, folk and Americana rock. Finally, secure your chastity belts and brace yourselves for The Intracoastal Playboys (pictured), who promise a full headliner set based on their decision to “not to do anything special.” Rippa is just being coy; it’s going to be a banger. Rumors of an Einstürzende Neubauten cover set have not been confirmed, but you never know. The Fest benefits The Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that helps out people in the hospitality industry, so drink 'til it hurts and celebrate the day excessively since no one is showing up to work on Friday.
HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS @ VICTORY NORTH
FRIDAY, JULY 5 | 7 PM
In case patriotism, American flags, and freedom give you the sads, your emo release experience shows up just in time. In most cases, that’s not the issue, you just love you some screamo emo born in the aughts, and Hawthorne Heights are survivors who deliver. Their 2004 debut, “The Silence in Black and White,” was anything but silent, coming out of nowhere (a.k.a. Dayton, Ohio) to chart unexpectedly and reach No. 3 among the indies. Their follow-up ranked three on the pop album chart and topped the indie chart. The band’s amazing momentum was halted by the sudden overdose death of lead guitarist Casey Calvert hours before a show at Washington D.C.’s venerable 9:30 Club. The band continued releasing, got into a legal tangle with the label, made up and released new records with them, and found a way to continue to rock on their own terms. Talk about freedom! In the music business, it’s rare.
ANDERS THOMSEN TRIO @ OVER YONDER
SATURDAY, JULY 6 | 3 PM
The former Shitkicker is a top Savannah guitar player, rocking one honky-tonk country stomper after another. From outlaw country to old-school, Hank Sr. yodeling style, Thomsen was clearly born to be what he is. It helped that he lives in a place that makes it easier than most to be free to become what you want. And what a stunning coincidence, it’s the Fourth of July weekend! Celebrate telling the powdered-wig-wearing, monarch tyrants to take their unrepresented taxation and stick it where the fool in the crown can’t see nothin’ by enjoying an Over Yonder matinee. Full freedom is realized with an ice-cold Lone Star in your paw, a double-stack of the city’s best burger in your belly, and the Anders Thomsen trio laying it down with time to still get out that night and let loose. And if, by chance, you can get a video of you making a wisecrack while an enemy of freedom’s car explodes behind you as you walk away in slow motion (presumably back home after the show), you might instantly become the presidential frontrunner.
TYBEE COMEDY JAMS @ TYBEE POST THEATER
SATURDAY, JULY 6 | 8 PM
In our flawed but superior system, we have so much comfort and leisure there is an entire industry based around the risk of listening to a stranger talk and hoping it makes you laugh. With that in mind, try not to rub command economy aficionado noses in it too much this weekend. That might be a tall order if you ride out to Tybee Island on Saturday, enjoy a Sea Wolf gourmet hot dog as you are wont to do, and head over to Tybee Post for three comics and a musician. Host Eric Bailey is a local standup comic with a background in poetry, so you know he’s got a way with words. He also produces shows at Front Porch Improv Theater. Featured comics Saseddrick from Augusta and traveling stand-up man (possibly from Orlando) Chris Cage join. Savannah-based musician Jacob Evans provides musical accompaniment and interludes to keep the vibe nonstop.
CHANNEL BLUFF @ BARRELHOUSE SOUTH
FRIDAY, JULY 5 | 9 PM
Manning the bridge between Thursday’s Fourth of July and the weekend, a day where most will be ready to start the party again by the time they begin to rock, is South Carolina’s Channel Bluff. The Myrtle Beach trio is parts indie rock and alternative pop, and they know enough to ensure there’s some country in the mix. We are where we are. Like many Barrelhouse South bands, you’ll get covers and originals to keep the crowd into it, and the bar will free you of your oppressive sobriety all night long.
