With around 90 bands on the bill and a rising national profile, St. Pete's own downtown takeover festival Antiwarpt more than justifies its need for an appropriately notable night-before shindig. And like the one-off shows that inevitably crop up around much larger fests like Lollapalooza or Voodoo Music Experience, the Antiwarpt Eve gig is as notable and intriguing as the main event.
Headlining bass-and-drums duo Hank & Cupcakes hails from Brooklyn, and plies a catchy yet slightly hard-edged hybrid of disco and electro-pop that's been inspiring critics to rave and hipster asses to shake for a couple of years now. Tampa's own lauded Gwan Massive is also known for getting audiences on their feet and dancing, though through a more eclectic and mashed-up reggae/funk/hip-hop/jam-band sound. And melodic Tampa outfit Signals from Satellites deftly balances indie individuality and character with resonant, relevant songwriting.
All in all, this bill manages to represent the whole of Antiwarpt in miniature: It's varied, it's heavily local with just a bit of hip national flair, and it's definitely, definitely worth your patronage. Oh, and it's also your last chance to save five bucks on advance tickets to Saturday's musical mayhem.
Details: Antiwarpt Kickoff Party with Hank & Cupcakes, Gwan Massive and Signals from Satellites, Fri., July 27, 6 p.m., Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, free admission.
This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 1, 2012.