WIUX event to present national musicians

If the weather holds out, Dunn Meadow will be filled with music lovers Saturday.
Underneath the WIUX tents, students and Bloomington residents will enjoy the songs of local and national indie bands.

The 2011 WIUX Culture Shock festival starts at 2 p.m.

In previous years, the festival’s lineup has boasted national names like Best Coast and Four Tet, as well as local groups like Prayer Breakfast and Osteoferocious. 

This year’s list of performers follows the precedent of previous years, highlighting musical groups with reputations big and small.

Ty Segall, Beach Fossils, The War on Drugs, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt and Weakness are the non-local groups set to perform this weekend. 

WIUX’s Special Events Director Katie McKenna said there seems to be particular excitement surrounding this year’s headliner.

“Ty Segall has a large following in this town, and since he is an energetic performer, people seem particularly psyched to see him,” McKenna said. “In addition to Ty, Beach Fossils played a great show at The Bishop a while back and have since gained a lot of fans here.”

Apart from larger national acts, the festival will also highlight local groups, including Gardendale & Berkley and Sleeping Bag.

Kat Coplen, public relations director for WIUX, said a goal of the festival is to highlight the best in local music and that this year’s lineup shouldn’t
disappoint.

The free day of music has been a Bloomington tradition and tends to give listeners a heads-up on what the next big music act will be, McKenna said.

“Culture Shock promotes up-and-coming bands,” McKenna said. “Last year’s headliner was Best Coast, who was on the cusp of garnering national attention. After performing at Culture Shock, she opened for Weezer and played at the Pitchfork music festival.”

Coplen said the day will be rewarding for music fans and is a great way for WIUX to give back to the Bloomington community. 

She said she remained optimistic that the sun would shine for the day of music.

“Sunny and 75,” Coplen said. “This year’s event should be one of the best Culture Shocks ever. I look forward to seeing old and new friends enjoy the best free music festival in Bloomington.”