The WhigFest Music & Arts Festival announces Its 2015 lineup and Opens Ticket Sales.
St. Petersburg, FL – February 14, 2015 – WhigFest Music & Arts Festival, Attic Records annual festival, is held every President’s day weekend. WhigFest is a celebration of freedom through art, music, creativity and expression. The festival name is a quirky play on the 19th century political party, the Whig Party, which was chosen to echo the American Whigs of 1776, who fought for independence and opposed tyranny. The word “Whig” was then a widely recognized label of choice for people who identified themselves as Patriots, Rebels, and Revolutionaries.
This February 14th 2015, the 3rd annual WhigFest Music & Arts Festival celebrates independent music and art. 25 artists will grace 4 stages placed strategically in and around Jannus Live, with access to all the stages from the Jannus Live courtyard. The Mandarin Hide, Ringside Cafe, MacDintons and the Main Stage at Jannus will round out the locations featuring singer/songwriters and full bands alike. An art show on February 5th at Mandarin Hide is where the visual arts portion of the festival will unveil their themed art. It will remain on display throughout the festival on February 14th.
This year Jacksonville native and international touring artist JJ Grey & Mofro will headline WhigFest along with Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers. “Last year when JJ came through Jannus, it was sold out before the gates opened, so needless to say we are stoked to have the potential for Whig to be sold out this year with the extensive lineup we have added in support of JJ,” said Kevin Lilly the event co-founder and partner in local St. Petersburg record label Attic Records, the events promoter. This tour stop is a special one for JJ Grey as he launches his new beer “JJ Grey’s Bourbon Brown” with Tampa based Rock Brothers Brewing and Cigar City Brewing. The bourbon infused brown ale will make its debut at the festival and is a spin off from his “Nare Sugar Brown” ale that was released in November of 2013.
WhigFest celebrated modest successes with its first two years booking independent artists and relying on the support of their dedicated fan bases to show up. “We made small leaps each year with WhigFest since it’s inception in 2012 making sure that original art was the focus of each festival, but still haven’t had a sold out crowd, we feel strongly that this year will change that,” said Tony Casoria, co-founder of the Fest and Attic Records.
Among the many artists returning to celebrate the Festival’s 3rd event are local favorites Forrest Hoffar, Lions After Dark, Mountain Hollar, JT Brown, Polyenso and many others.
The Festival events will include an original art unveiling at the Mandarin Hide on Thursday February 5th at 7:30pm featuring this years headline artist Sebastian Coolidge, a WhigFest VIP Artist Showcase on Friday February 13th at The Hideaway Cafe and the full day festival on February 14th with gates opening at 2pm. (Full event calendar listing below).
WhigFest Music & Arts Festival Sponsors & Partners
Attic Records (presenter), Rock Brothers Brewing Company, Cigar City Brewing Company, The Mandarin Hide, MacDintons, Ringside Cafe, and I Love the Burg.
TICKETS
• Tickets range from $30-60 and can be purchased at www.whigfest.com starting October 17th, 2014
• For group sales, please contact kevin@atticrecordingartists.com
STAY UPDATED
• On Twitter @WhigFest
• On Instagram @WhigFest
• On Facebook at www.facebook.com/whigfest
For press inquiries or to request images:
Kevin Lilly | kevin@atticrecordingartists.com
2015 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE, VENUES AND TICKET PRICES
Thursday February 5th
7:30pm | WhigFest Original Art Unveiling:: Featuring Sebastian Coolidge
The Mandarin Hide, 231 Central Ave – St. Petersburg, FL | FREE to Attend
Featuring works by headlining artist Sebastian Coolidge, with other contributing art pieces from Chris Parks, Bask, James Oleson, Chad Mize, STOIC, Laura Spencer, Derek Donnelly, Calan Ree, Zulu Painter, Saori Murphy, Justin Wagher, Alexander Schultz
Friday February 13th
7:00pm | WhigFest Artist Showcase & VIP Reception
The Hideaway Cafe, 1756 Central Ave St. Petersburg | $30
Join Attic Records as we host some of the premier Singer/Songwriters from the Festival for an intimate show in one of the areas best listening rooms, The Hideaway Cafe. The artists include Michael Tolcher, Forrest Hoffar, Steve Everett and Big Kettle Drum. Each performer will deliver a solo set with a collective jam to wrap the show. Tickets are $30 and are available at www.whigfest.com
Saturday February 14th
2:00pm | WhigFest 2015
Jannus Live, 16 2nd St. North St. Petersburg | $30 GA | $60 VIP
WhigFest Lineup :: JJ Grey and Mofro, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Greenhouse Lounge, Polyenso, AMFMS, Zulu Wave, Save the Radio, Big Kettle Drum, Lions After Dark, Red Feather, Boxcar Hollow, Bellows, Lobo Marino, Michael Tolcher, Forrest Hoffar, J.T. Brown, STOIC, Mountain Holler, Matt Weis, Matt Mackelcan, and Steve Everett. Tickets are $30 and $60 and are available at www.whigfest.com
