Planning your weekend: Can’t-miss acts at 35 Denton

by Jessica Harp, Brenna Rushing

• Tweet
• Email
• Print
• 0 Comments

If you can only see a few shows a night, here's your cheat sheet.

DENTON — One look at the artists scheduled for this year’s 35 Denton, and you might be overwhelmed. The festival prides itself on booking lesser-known bands so you can get hip to the new tunes in town. Even if you aren’t familiar with much of the lineup, we’ve whittled the huge schedule into four days of can’t-miss acts.

All the shows take place in or near the Denton square. 35 Denton runs from Thursday, March 7 through Sunday, March 10.

Note: Some of the shows extend past midnight. We list a very late show on Thursday at 12:30 a.m. under "Thursday" instead of "Friday," for instance. Consult the full 35 Denton schedule here.

Thursday, March 7

Bok Bok – This London-based DJ will transform the Hive into a pulsing, sweaty Las Vegas nightclub with one break of his turntable. His use of hypnotic beats and original scores make Bok Bok a breath of fresh air in the world of mashup DJ’s. The Hive, midnight

Buxton – Clean instrumentation and southern-fried vocals make this Houston folk-rock band stand out in the sea of today’s folky groups. Their succinct harmonies prove that shredding the banjo isn’t all they’re good at. Dan’s Silverleaf, 12:30 a.m.

Savage and the Big Beat – Playful piano and an up-tempo pace flesh out the roller-coaster vocals of this Denton act. The four-member group aims for theatrical flair — they wrote a musical parody to Jurassic Park in 2011. Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 12:30 a.m.

John Wesley Coleman – The Austin-based comic turned solo artist brings an entirely different experience to this year’s lineup. Humorous lines and equally-as-funny videos make us wonder what his onstage antics will look like. Andy’s, 12:30 a.m.

Friday, March 8

Roky Erickson – He might be a senior citizen, but this native Texan knows how to rock. A pioneer of psychedelic rock, Erickson has been making music since the mid-‘60s and has a plethora of music from his vast catalog that will get you moving. Main Stage Two, 7 p.m.

Man Man – This Philadelphia experimental band got Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live, Portlandia) and Charlyne Yi (Knocked Up, Paper Heart) to star in their music video for “Rabbit Habits.” Take that as a sign that these rockers have a sound that’s worth checking out. The Hive, 12:30 a.m.

Antwon – The San Jose rapper and his DJ bring the sound that made hip-hop in the early ‘90s so unavoidable. His beats will make you move. If you are looking for a chill(er) party to bust a move at, then Antwon’s performance at Hailey’s is the place to be on Friday night. Hailey’s, 12:30 a.m.

Houndmouth – If you are looking to take things down a notch and relax with a cold beer, stop in for some folk rock from Houndmouth. This New Albany quartet brings the Americana. Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 12:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 9

Sarah Jaffe with Cannabinoids – Remember the Cannabinoids’ remix of Sarah Jaffe’s “Glorified High”? Well magnify that and get ready to move. The Cannabinoids, known as Erykah Badu’s crew, can make any artist sound good, and pairing their addictive mixes with Jaffe’s powder-keg vocals will only strengthen the funk. Main Stage One, 6 p.m.

Killer Mike – Hailing from Atlanta, this flow-inducing rapper much like Big Boi keeps the focus on his message. Clean beats and solid choruses flesh out his steady stream, and we’re predicting this will be one of the best hip-hop acts of the festival. Main Stage Two, 7 p.m.

Solange – Ignore the fact that she’s Beyonce’s sister. This indie artist can hold her own. Dance-worthy beats from the ‘80s built behind smooth vocals will make anyone succumb to the electronic craze. And it doesn’t hurt that she’s stunningly gorgeous. Main Stage One, 8 p.m.

Com Truise – Seth Haley’s synth-based, mid-fi funk will make you feel like you’re in a packed club that’s moving in slow motion. The New Yorker knows how to combine a plethora of sounds that aren’t too busy or over-exerted, creating an electro party for any Joy Division fan or newcomer. The Hive, 12:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 10

Somebody’s Darling – Although you may be able to see these classic country rockers often when the play around DFW, still find time to see the soulful quintet at 35D. They know how to put the right kind of sound down that will get your boots stomping to their Texas beat. Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 10:30 p.m.

Doug Burr – A main staple in DFW, Doug Burr’s quietly poignant folk tunes resonate with sheer beauty. A four-day-long music festival can be quite a beatdown, and ending the last night of it with one of Denton’s own would be musical paradise. Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 11:30 p.m.

Silver Apples – This New York City band has been making electronic music since the late ‘60s and rarely go on tour, but the dynamic duo made an exception for 35D. They uses lab gear, radio parts, sound filters, and a homemade synthesizer that comprises of 12 oscillators to make their experimental music. You may witness musical history. Hailey’s, 12:30 a.m.

Tweet