So, we all know Bearstock is coming up this Saturday, and we all know that it’s going to be completely awesome, as it is every year. But some people don’t know that this year will be a little different than the past few festials, so your pals at The Cluster have prepared this guide to the festivities. We cover pretty much everything, form the lineup to where to buy food. You can thank us later. Preferably with cash.
The Location
Unlike the past couple of years, Bearstock 2011 won’t be held on campus at Porter Patch. Instead, in an effort to reach out to the larger Macon community, the concert will be held at Tattnall Square Park, from noon until 11 p.m. As in past years, the festival will feature two stages in order to decrease band set-up time. The two stages will both face the same direction, unlike last year’s set-up, which caused a small amount of confusion. Here's a map.
![Bearstock-Map-for-paper-1024x828](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/mcl/140153a9-174f-4f1f-b86c-41d7d1e23bfd.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=100%25)
The Bands
As with last year’s lineup, which featured pop-punk groups We The Kings alongside rapper Jeremih, Quadworks has paired together headliners of various genres in order to increase interest for Mercer students and Macon residents who have divergent tastes in music.
Headlining the event are electro-hop group 3OH!3, Atlanta-based rapper Roscoe Dash, The Dirty Guv’nahs, and indie pop-rock act Parachute Musical, who will be appearing courtesy of Macon music promotion group The Blue Indian. Other acts include The Less, Stribling, Ocean is Theory, and more. Get to know a few of the bands in the feature below.
“We want Bearstock to be representative of the students at Mercer as well as the Macon community. We have a lot of different people who like different things, and we want a well rounded day of music so that everyone can enjoy it, not just a select group of people. We also want to highlight the talent that Macon has to offer,” said McGarity. “We literally took the artists with the most votes and went down the list until we had someone who was free for our date.”
The Schedule
Stage A
Noon — The Silver Comet
1:20 — Venice Is Sinking
2:40 — Broken Bootstraps
4:00 — The Less
5:20 — Ocean Is Theory
6:40 — Parachute Musical
8:35 — Roscoe Dash
9:45 — 3OH!3
Stage B
12:40 — A Ransom Plea
2:00 — Stribling
3:20 — Chelsea Hughes
4:40 — JuBee and the Morning After
6:00 — theKey
7:30 — The Dirty Guv’nahs
8:15 — DJ Pharmer (DSEL promo)
Other Activities
Of course, there’s always more to do at Bearstock than stand and listen to music. Quadworks will also be hosting a pop art booth, where students can have their picture taken and manipulated into resembling the work of 1960s counterulturalist Andy Warhol.
The Food
Gloria Holland, who catered the African Diaspora events in the past, will be providing food at Bearstock. The menu will include wings, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and lemonade.
Mercer Village is just a block away as well, and students can pick up pizza or wings and Ingleside Village Pizza or Francar’s, respectively.
Additionally, Sixty Feet is sponsoring a nationwide cupcake sale called The Cupcake Kids, which benefits orphans in the troubled African nation of Uganda. All proceeds go to Sixty Feet, a charity and ministry dedicated to providing both clean water and hope to orphans in the country.
Meet the Bands
3OH!3
![bearstock3oh3](http://mercercluster.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bearstock3oh3-300x225.jpg)
3OH!3 (pronounced three-oh-three) is a Boulder, Colorado-based group that blends rock, hip-hop, and electronica into high-energy anthems. The single “Don’t Trust Me,” off their second album, Want, was rated double platinum by the RIAA for selling over two million copies in the United States. The group released a third album, Streets of Gold, in July 2010, which peaked at number four on the Billboard charts. Look forward to their electrifying electronic set at Bearstock this Saturday.
Roscoe Dash
![bearstockdash](http://mercercluster.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bearstockdash-199x300.jpg)
Roscoe Dash, best known for his 2010 single “All the Way Turnt Up” with Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, is an up-and-coming rapper based out of Atlanta. The aforementioned single reached number 8 on the Billboard hot rap songs and established the young artist as a creative force to be reckoned with. His first album, Ready Set Go! is set to be released in March, and features tracks produced by Boi-1da, a highly sought out producer who has worked with Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Usher. He has released several mixtapes.
Parachute Musical
![bearstockparachute](http://mercercluster.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bearstockparachute-300x213.jpg)
Parachute Musical, based out of Nashville, Tennessee, is an indie pop-rock four-piece with a penchant for captivating hooks and souring melodies. Their piano-based sound is at times reminiscent of a more melodic and slowed-down Ben Folds Five. The group recently released their debut full-length Everything is Working Out Fine in Some Town. Standout tracks include “Leave Me” and “Flashback ’83.” Parachute Musical’s set is being sponsored by local promoter The Blue Indian.
Ocean is Theory
![bearstockocean](http://mercercluster.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bearstockocean-300x226.jpg)
Ocean is Theory plays a unique and exciting blend of indie rock that is at the same time melodic and energetic. The group has toured all across the United States over the past three years, and recently recorded a full-length record with Razor & Tie records, due out later this year. Their debut record, which is currently untitled, will be released this year. Look for it on store shelves soon. In the mean time, check out their other two releases, the EPs In My Blood Again and Into The Mouth of Lions.
The Less
![bearstoktheless](http://mercercluster.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bearstoktheless-300x199.jpg)
Atlanta pop-rock act The Less has drawn comparisons to other hook-laden acts such as Between the Trees and Holiday Parade throughout their career. Their 2007 album Loud Machines is an intensely catchy experience, perfect for anyone that considered themselves a lover of pop rock. The group has recorded a new record, which is due to be released at Athens, GA’s 40 Watt Club on April 27. Until their new album is released, get your fill of their music at their performance on Saturday.
theKey
![bearstockthekey](http://mercercluster.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bearstockthekey-200x300.jpg)
The Mercer-based modern rock group theKey recently won the Georgia Lottery All Access Music Search. The band describes thier sound as “modern-day ’90s.” Some of their main influences are bands like Matchbox 20, Fastball and the New Radicals, with hints of newer acts like Coldplay, Keane, and Switchfoot. The group is currently working on their first full-length record, to be released later this year. Look forward to their exciting pop hooks, bold instrumentals, and energetic performance on Saturday.