The 420 Music Fest is an Epic Force of Nature

Like a quartet of massive underwater explosions, the next four nights of REV Miami's 420 Fest carry enough combined payload (80 bands total!) that a tsunami of awesome noise looks inevitable. And after Thursday's pre-festival Kickoff Party at Black Sheep Bar--superpacked with local weirdos such as Oceanaire, Dyslexic Postcards, and...

By S. Pajot

April 17, 2009

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Like a quartet of massive underwater explosions, the next four nights of REV Miami's 420 Fest carry enough combined payload (80 bands total!) that a tsunami of awesome noise looks inevitable. And after Thursday's pre-festival Kickoff Party at Black Sheep Bar--superpacked with local weirdos such as Oceanaire, Dyslexic Postcards, and Xela Zaid--anyone still on the beach needs to immediately seek higher ground or risk being swept away like so much flotsam. But our bit of reckless advice: surf out to sea and revel in the enormity of this fast-rising monster wave because, wherever you hide, sea change is coming ashore.

Day 1: Tonight--Friday, April 17

In a failed attempt to start slow, 420's Indie Edition at White Room (1306 N. Miami Ave., Miami) will showcase twenty-seven bands swamping the stage. And even though the party gets going around 8:30 p.m.--meaning right now--you could head out at an ultra-leisurely pace and still catch MadMartigan, Astari Nite, Ex Norwegian, Call It Radar, Fireside Social, Killer Moon, plus a plunder-load more.

Day 2: Saturday, April 18

With 305-area rappers Garcia, Omniscient, and Lex One--among others--tossing off rhymes and detonating booty-blasting basslines, the Hip-Hop Edition is 420's lone clubbanger. Show up to Black Sheep Bar (721 N. Lincoln Lane, Miami Beach) at 8 p.m. and make sure to get your fill of the street shit. It could all be ocean floor by festival's end ...

Day 3: Sunday, April 19

In a nod to the forefathers of evil tunage, the Metal & Punk Edition takes over the Sunday Sabbath at PS14 (28 NE 14th St., Miami) as soon as the sun goes down. From 9 p.m. until the next morning, descend into a dark watery grave alongside Hate Machine, Dissever, Vultures are Wolves, Murderous Ambition, Paralysis, and hordes more.

Day 4: Monday, April 20

The 420 Fest returns for a second consecutive and final night at PS14 with their BBQ Smokeout! Starting at 8:30 p.m., a cluster of reggae bands--like Coppa Stone, Spread the Dub, and Don Sha--will try to maintain a relaxed vibe on the back patio. But danger reigns on the main stage with high-octane shows by ArtOfficial, King Bee, and Boy Prostitute. So now can you feel that tsunami cresting?

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