GIG OF THE WEEK

RECESS FEST @ CHARLOTTE

That the unquestionably DIY Recess Fest has lasted four years is an accomplishment; that it’s grown to a gathering of more than 70 bands — local, regional and beyond — is a near-miracle. Plenty of kudos are due to the audacity and tenacity of the Fest’s co-founders, Casey Malone and Zach Reader. But warm-fuzzy support-your-scene good deeds aren’t enough to warrant Gig Of The Week Status. No, that honor’s thanks entirely to the 70+ bands Malone and Reader snagged for their four-day party. First and foremost, there’s the indie-iconic headliner Archers of Loaf, whose reunion gigs have reinvigorated the (not-actually-very-)old songs with the joy of rediscovery and the tight, powerhouse playing of a veteran band. Then, there’s the surprise reunion of the dynamic and vibrant pop band Black Congo, NC, whose members spread across the map shortly after releasing 2010′s excellent (and not actually live) Live in Miami 1984. Then, count enough regional standouts to put your collection of Shuffle back-issues to shame. A few: Yardwork, And The Doorbum, Whatever Brains, Young And in The Way, Brain F≠, Joint D≠, Overmountain Men, Mutant League, Great Architect, Moenda, Coma Cinema, Can’t Kids, Those Lavender Whales, Burglar Fucker, Baobab, Serfs, One Another, Gross Ghost, Blossoms, and friends, we are just scratching the surface. More info is readily available here. —Bryan C. Reed

CALENDAR

Festivals

• 7/26-29 — Recess Fest @ Charlotte
• 7/27-29 — Bele Chere @ Asheville

July 26

• Corrosion of Conformity @ Ziggy’s Winston-Salem
• Surfer Blood w/ Company @ Music Farm, Charleston
• Mount Moriah w/ Skylar Gudasz & The Ugly Girls @ Wallace Plaza, Chapel Hill
• Those Lavender Whales w/ Coma Cinema @ Nightlight, Chapel Hill

July 27

• Childish Gambino w/ Chance The Rapper @ Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre, Charlotte
• Corrosion of Conformity @ Soapbox, Wilmington
• Shoxx w/ Double Negative, Salvation @ Kings, Raleigh
• Whatever Brains w/ Brain F≠ @ Slims, Raleigh
• Old Bricks w/ Icarus Himself @ Nightlight, Chapel Hill
• Beverly “Guitar” Watkins @ Haw River Ballroom, Saxapahaw
• Icarus Himself w/ Zack Mexico @ Nightlight, Chapel Hill

July 28

• Say Brother w/ Burnt Books @ New Brookland Tavern, Columbia
• Childish Gambino w/ Chance The Rapper @ The Orange Peel, Asheville
• Southern Culture on the Skids @ The Pour House, Charleston

July 29

• Kind of Like Spitting w/ Museum Mouth (acoustic) @ Soapbox, Wilmington
• Agalloch @ Kings, Raleigh
• The Zombies @ Cats Cradle, Carrboro
• Lindsey Buckingham @ Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg
• Dr. Dog @ Ziggy’s, Winston-Salem
• Mornin’ Old Sport @ Motorco, Durham

July 30

• Dr. Dog @ Kelly’s, Nag’s Head
• Kind of Like Spitting w/ Almost People @ Local 506, Chapel Hill

July 31

• Lindsey Buckingham @ Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte
• Two Cow Garage @ Local 506, Chapel Hill
• Mornin’ Old Sport @ Jack of the Wood, Asheville