Photo credit: pitchfork.com
The D.C.-based punk group Ekko Astral has joined forces with the national collective, the Gender Liberation Movement, to host a new music and arts festival. Scheduled for May 30 and 31 in Washington D.C., the festival, titled Liberation Weekend, will feature performances from Ekko Astral, as well as acts like Home Is Where, Ted Leo, Speedy Ortiz, and many others. The complete lineup and festival poster are available for viewing below.
In a recent press statement, Ekko Astral’s band leader Jael Holzman explained the motivation behind the festival, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in the arts. “We’re organizing this event because we believe artists of all genders and genres must vocally support the trans community,” Holzman stated. “Supporting freedom of expression inherently means supporting trans rights. If you stand for love and acceptance, you stand for trans rights. Music transcends boundaries, and we need our artists united in championing this cause before it’s too late.”
All proceeds from the Liberation Weekend festival will aid the Gender Liberation Movement’s efforts, financing rallies, demonstrations, and direct actions against anti-trans businesses and policies. Attendees can also look forward to a dance afterparty and a showcase of the Red Hot Organization‘s Transa compilation, which will feature artists such as L’Rain, Bartees Strange, and Asher White. Additionally, Ekko Astral is slated to perform at both the Pitchfork Music Festival London and the Pitchfork Music Festival Paris later this year.
For a deeper understanding of Ekko Astral’s work, Nina Corcoran’s review of their album Pink Balloons can be found, noting its ranking as No. 1 on the list of “The 30 Best Rock Albums of 2024.”
Source
pitchfork.com