2012 Harvey Milk Festival Boasts International Acts

By Anthony Paull
| 11:04 a.m. May 11, 2012

Arts + Culture

Hey, you. Wink. Wink. Want to party, get sweaty and rock your body this weekend, all while keeping (most or at least some of) your clothes on? Well, if you’re a diehard music fan then head over to Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota on Saturday May 12^th to witness the 2012 Harvey Milk Festival musical lineup, which includes two stages featuring UK superstars Breton and 11 other local and national acts.

Let’s do a quick rundown of the four headliners to see what to expect.

Breton is sound. Breton is music. Breton is the bomb. That pretty much sums it up in three sentences. To elaborate, Breton is a group of young British men from Kensington who work in a creative hub called The Lab, where they produce dubstep/house music in a similar vein as Massive Attack but with more distortion and punch. Favorites at SXSW, Breton’s been climbing the UK and US indie charts with its debut release Other Peoples' Problems which includes the hits Edward The Confessor and Jostle. Breton’s live performance includes video footage recorded by the band, whose short films have appeared in numerous London film festivals.

CLAPS is an emerging band from Minneapolis that is leading the resurgence of minimal synth pop, picking up where 80’s bands like Joy Division and Devo left off. The trio has a stop-and-go electro feel to its songs, complete with warm beats, detached vocals, and stripped down melodies. The stirring lead vocals evoke a sense of urgency. Fan favorites include the singles ‘Fold’ and ‘Book of Love.’

A local favorite, MeteorEYES has recently begun to dazzle national audiences with an ample selection of dance-ready electro hits. The band’s debut release Across The Pond features sing-along anthems, pogo punk choruses and thunderous lead vocals. Veiled in mystery, the band’s trademark mask collection provides a visible barrier, challenging fans to question what other masks we each wear in society.

Another SXSW favorite, The Pauses hail from Orlando, creating great indie rock tunes shaped by '90s alternative rock with modern electronic and orchestral tinges. Lead singer Tierney Tough’s voice fits nicely between the scratchy-sexiness of Liz Phair and the sleekness of Ingrid Michaelson. Tunes off the band’s debut A Cautionary Tale offer the perfect blend for those who like their grit with a bit of gloss.

Other bands on the 2012 Harvey Milk Festival lineup include The Northwest, (the) Umbrella Cult, Cassolette, The Send Offs, Elysian Sex Drive, The Sexual Side Effects, HenryHenryHenry and The August Name.

Harvey Milk Festival/MUSIC

May 12, 2012

4:00 p.m. opening ceremonies

4:30-5:00 The Northwest

5:00-5:30 (ms)* The Umbrella Cult

5:30-6:00 Cassolette

6:00-6:30 (ms) The Send Offs

6:30-7:00 Elysian Sex Drive

7:00-7:30 (ms) The Sexual Side Effects

7:30-8:00 The August Name

8:00-8:30 (ms) HenryHenryHenry

8:30-9:00 The Pauses