GONERFEST 21 - Sunday Bands
CLICK ON DAY TO SEE BAND PIC & DESCRIPTION
NOTE: Sunday is not a free day as it has been.
Admission will be charged!
(Berlin, Germany) 
As a solo artist or with Wirewalker, Sunday opener Ned Collette has spent almost two decades coming at the singer-songwriter/cosmically-rural thing from a markedly more experimental angle than most of his contemporaries. This is absolutely not to be missed by fans of John Fahey, Leonard Cohen (his vocals are uncanny), the Gastr del Sol/David Grubbs/Jim O’Rourke axis, Jack Rose, David Pajo/Papa M, Roy Harper, Sir Richard Bishop and so on. Originally from Australia but now based in Berlin, Collette has toured with Bill Calahan (Smog), The National, Camera Obscura and Joanna Newsom.
(Austin, TX)
Imagine if a band was good enough to never have to move beyond song intros. Performing the civic duty of making sure festival attendees are wide awake and alert for the impending drive/walk/flight/bike ride/boat trip home, Water Damage is a rotating collective that has laid a NEU!/SWANS/Dirty Three scorch of macro-minimalism and repetitive pummel across three full lengths since 2022 via 12XU. Either perfect, hilarious, or both for the 2pm Sunday slot.
(Louisville, KY)
Ryan Davis is the man behind the great Louisville rock band State Champion, the great Cropped Out Festival and the great Sophomore Lounge label. His first eponymous project, the Roadhouse Band, released the excellent Dancing On The Edge album last year on Sophomore Lounge. RIYL early Palace/Will Oldham/Bonnie Prince Billy, Magnolia Electric Co. etc, and especially if you don’t like those sounds. Ryan & co will WIN you!
(New York, NY)
Those of a particular vintage might remember a stretch in the 00s when it was not uncommon to see Brooklyn’s largely-unclassifiable Oneida 2 - 3 times per year. But no one of any vintage is wondering if perhaps they attended an Oneida show and the recollection got lost in the mix, as it would be permanently burned into the folds. In the late 90s, Oneida had a huge part in establishing the use of non-traditional/industrial show spaces in Brooklyn that would of course transform into a massive scene by the next decade.
Oneida incorporates Krautrock, noise-rock, synth-everything, prog-pop and minimalism into something that sounds like nothing before or since. As of this writing, Oneida has released 16 full lengths and as many singles/EPs/splits since forming in 1997. The bulk of the discography was released by Jagjaguwar, though the band’s own Brah Records appears on many releases and more recent fare has come courtesy of Joyful Noise Recordings. From sublime and succinct pop to extended minimalist jams that sound like Ash Ra Tempel being chased by an Amazon van in reverse…it’s everything in between those extremes plus more. Of more recent note would be 2016’s What’s Your Sign? album with legendary avant guitar composer Rhys Chatham, the Romance and Success full-lengths (in 2018 and 2022 respectively) and the “Tusko” 7” this year with Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE…it’s Mike Watt).
Onstage, as referenced above, Oneida has maintained a reputation as one of the greatest live acts for the last 25+ years. From concise to extended improv workouts that have included members of The Flaming Lips, Boredoms, Bevis Frond, Portishead, Sonic Youth’s Lee Renaldo, Yo La Tengo, Dead C, and many others. Crossing over into the museum/gallery world with ease has seen Oneida perform at Guggenheim Museum, MoMA PS1, MassMOCA and the Knoxville Museum of Art. Oneida’s 2024 non-guest lineup remains the core of Kid “you’ve got to see that drummer!!” Millions (John Colpitts), Hanoi Jane (Francis McDermott…real….name?) on guitar/bass and Bobby Matador (Robertson Thacher) on organ/bass/vocals, with longtime band engineer Barry London on synths/organ/effects and Shahin Motia on guitar. Oneida will be performing at Gonerfest 21, where they’ll be closing out the festival (4pm Sunday) with one long bang that you won’t want to miss.
Plus:
Thursday afternoon Wristband Party / DJ action @ Central Station
Sunday Night Post-fest Comedown Dance Party @ DKDC
and Afterparties every night!
Get your tickets and come see us in Memphis!
CAN'T MAKE IT? GET A STREAMING TICKET HERE AND CATCH ALL THE ACTION FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR COUCH!
CHECK OUT GONERFEST 21 PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY LINK HERE
Headlined by Bay Area Budget Rock legends The Rip Offs and Derv Gordon of 60s/70s UK freakbeat heroes the Equals, Gonerfest 21 will showcase another unique and wide-ranging bill featuring bands, MCs, and DJs from Memphis and around the world.
Highlights include a number of acts coming from overseas, including performances by African desert blues collective Etran de L’Air, Japanese garage punks Angel Face, and Kiwi psych/shoegazers Bailter Space. There’s also another strong showing from Australia, with Split System, Gee Tee, Michael Beach and RFMC all making the trip over from Down Under. Garage rock legends Jon Spencer and the Cheater Slicks will also perform, as well as American bright lights Oneida, Rosali, and Schizophonics. Gonerfest 21 will also showcase exciting new bands like San Antonio's Sex Mex, Nashville's Sleeveens, and Calgary's Puppet Wipes.
Finalized MCs and DJs will be announced soon!
The first block of passes to the festival sold out earlier this year. Additional Gonerfest 21 tickets will be on sale next week. Golden Passes, which allow entry to all official GF21 events, are $150. Single-day passes will be available at the door, according to venue capacity.
Artwork by the excellent Eric C
DATES: September 26-29, 2024.
Over 30 bands over 4 days, plus afterparties and more fun in Memphis!
Make plans now!
Fact: Gonerfest 20 brought in fans from 41 U.S. states and 11 countries! Over half of our attendees are repeat visitors to Gonerfest!
Plan to stay through Sunday - Sunday afternoon's show is heavier than usual, plus Sunday Night DJ Sets are insane!
See you in Memphis!