Dakota Proctor with Mary Anna and Stray Lions (Solo)
Vassal with Crimson Steel and Aitalla
Vassal Instagram / Bandcamp Heavy/Power metal band from Durham, NC Crimson Steel Instagram / Spotify Crimson Steel is a North Carolina-based traditional/US power metal band. “Show No Fear” is being released on Heaven and Hell Records on October 2nd. Aitalla Website / Instagram The music of AITTALA (pronounced ‘EYE-tah-la’) crosses many metal genres; it’s hard to put it into just one category. The sound infuses elements of classic heavy metal, doom, progressive, power, thrash and hard rock with lyrics drawing inspiration from the darker side of the human condition. The AITTALA sound has been cited for being unique which is no easy feat in the metal genre.The first version of AITTALA was formed in 1991 while Eric was living in Holland. With fellow American Tim on vocals and Dutch bandmates Ed (drums) and Jon (bass), the band became a staple of the Dutch metal scene.With the release of the 3-song EP ‘Selling Heaven’ in summer of 1993, AITTALA opened for such bands as THE GATHERING and SADIST.Unfortunately, as the demo started to create a buzz in the underground European metal scene, Eric had to return to the US and disbanded AITTALA. In 2008, the time was right to resurrect AITTALA.In total, AITTALA released 6 full-length albums and 3 EPs: ‘Selling Heaven’ EP (1993), ‘Bed of Thorns’ (2009), ‘Haunt Your Flesh’ (2011), ‘Effigy’ (2014), ‘American Nightmare’ (2016), ‘False Pretenses’ (2019),’Live to Regret (2022), ‘Machines’ (2025) and ‘Ill-Gotten Gains’ (2025).Each release showcasing a natural progression of songwriting and lyrical content but retaining the core AITTALA sound and evolving it.The current lineup of AITTALA consists of Eric Aittala on guitars/vocals and Gary ‘Zeus’ Smith (THE FIFTH, ex-MR BLACKWELL) on drums and Dane Taylor (EVIL I, ex-MOTORBILLY) on bass. They continue to write, record and tour to bring AITTALA to the masses.
Le Lotus and Candiland with Lilac Drive
Le Lotus Imagine: A basement. Now imagine you’re in the basement. And in the basement, a band plays. Melodies glisten, guitars roar. You’re surrounded by the stuff of dreams. You ask yourself, ‘what band is this?’ A voice from within whispers, ‘This is le Lotus, from Raleigh, NC.’ Why a basement? Not really sure… candiland candiland is a 5-piece indie rock / dream pop band based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Drawing from the dreamy textures of My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins alongside the songwriting of Wednesday and Big Thief, their sound blends shoegaze, alternative rock, and indie folk into something immersive and emotionally direct. Fronted by singer and primary lyricist Lily Mars, the band moves between intimate, reflective moments and louder, more cathartic passages. Guitarists Ace McAteer and Gabe Harmon build colorful, dreamlike atmospheres through layered tones and interplay, while Asher de la Torre (bass) and Ayden Taylor (drums) provide a steady, driving foundation. The members come from across the Triangle but consider Chapel Hill home, where they’ve been steadily building a presence through live performances and a growing catalog of original music. Lilac Drive Lilac Drive is a band that creates vibrant yet moody dream pop with rock elements based in the Traingle area of NC. They are a three-piece band consisting of Libby Miller on bass, lead vocals, and guitar, Charlie Bird on guitar and synth and Henry Sasser on the drums. They have performed at venues including The Pour House, The Cave and The Orb. The founders of the band, Libby and Charlie, started creating music together in 2023. They wrote a few songs with musician and producer Aidan Thomann, who is featured on their first single titled “Take The Chance,” released in August of 2025. It is available on all streaming platforms, and they are excited to continue releasing singles, and eventually an EP this summer.Follow them on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok under @lilacdriveband
Drunken Prayer with Knockout Artist and Rabbit Fighter
Drunken Prayer Website / Instagram / Bandcamp Morgan Geer was a key element at the dawn of Asheville’s current country musicrenaissance too, playing guitar and singing in the enigmatic, off kilter country band,The Unholy Trio. He and bass player David Wayne Gay (Freakwater, ReigningSound, Krektones) started the group with Lance Wille (Reigning Sound, Krektones)on drums. Bloodshot Records debuted their single and video of Public Enemy’s“Bring the Noise“ at SXSW, prompting Esquire magazine to call it one of the greatestcover songs of all time. After a chance conversation in Northern California with Tom Waits about the musicof the church, Morgan took off for Portland, OR to play for bikers at the Queen ofHearts Tavern on Sunday mornings. That’s where the name “Drunken Prayer” wasborn. The newest Drunken Prayer record, Thy Burdens, is an homage to the fiery musicof the church. Partnering with Drive-By Truckers’ Bobby Matt Patton, the pairrecorded this album in Asheville and North Mississippi with some of their friendsfrom Appalachia and the Delta including members of MJ Lenderman & the Wind,Band of Heathens, Jimbo Mathis’ group and Wednesday. Knockout Artist Bandcamp / Instagram Knockout Artist is a band from Chapel Hill, NC. Formed in 2024, the band consists of Sim Berkley, Rock Forbes, Danny Hooley, Matt Neal and Phil Venable. Knockout Artist’s music is a unique sound forged in the crucible of garage punk, outlaw country, and cbgb-era eclecticism. The band’s debut EP “Hit After Hit After Hit” was released in Spring 2025 on Bandcamp. Rabbit Fighter Instagram / Bandcamp Rabbit Fighter’s debut album, Punch Up, is filled with gritty pop hooks, luscious vocal harmonies, and a wall of sound production that will move any listener with a heart.The album echoes elements of Springsteen, Pixies, Son Volt, and The Jesus and Mary Chain while bearing witness to the social, political, and historical context in which it was produced.
Phunk It Up: A Benefit For The Compass Center with Phuzz, Locally Sourced Weaponry, and HVAC Tech
Corporate Fandango with Ruler! and The Unsustainables
Corporate Fandango is a seven piece Ska/Prog/Thrash band from Greensboro, NC. Often hailed as theatrical, entertaining, and fun, Corporate Fandango brings raucous sounds, conspiracy-laden lyrics and complex melodies that delight your ears and make you move your feet. Ruler! is a 5th wave ska-punk band hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina. Blending their own spin on classic 3rd wave ska-punk with high-energy pop-punk, hardcore, and emo influences, the band delivers a fast, punchy, and dynamic sound. Their style has drawn comparisons to acts like Less Than Jake, Bomb the Music Industry!, and early Big D and the Kids Table. Expect a high-energy live show packed with skanking, stage dives, two-stepping, and nonstop crowd interaction. The Unsustainables are a traditional ska, rocksteady, and reggae band inspired by the legends of Studio One, Treasure Isle, and Black Ark Studios. From heavy groovers made to move your feet to the sweet melodies of lover’s rock, the Unsustainables will make you bubble.
maryjo w/ Brooke Alexx
featuring Brooke Alexx A 22-year-old singer/songwriter hailing from Cleveland, maryjo has the kind of unforgettable voice made for heart-melting piano ballads. All ages. Under 21 subject to a venue surcharge, payable at the door. No refunds. All sales are final unless headliner cancels. For all venue info & policies, visit www.local506.com
Edgehill – The Moving Out Tour
All Ages. Under 21 subject to as surcharge, payable at the door. No refunds. All sales are final. For all venue info & policies, visit www.local506.com
Shearling
Shearling Bandcamp Serving as a spiritual continuation of the now-defunct Sprain, Shearling exhibits the reunion of a now decade-old collaborative force between guitarists Alexander Kent and Sylvie Simmmons. A subsequent recruiting of percussionist Andrew Chanover, bassist Wesley Nelson, and Keyboardist Elizabeth Carver filled out their orchestrally-minded roster. The band was mostly quiet for its first year of existence, avoiding live performances to instead focus on their brazen debut ‘Motherfucker, I am Both: “Amen” and “Hallelujah”…’ The record retains Sprain’s characteristic commitment to intensity, further mutated through a newfound lens of collagist approach. Featuring only a single, hour-plus long song, Motherfucker is a demanding exhibition of uncompromising ethos. Shearling’s aggressive live performances and meticulous recordings demonstrate an ambition, audacity, and emotional vulnerability that few contemporary bands can parallel. “Shearling present a work that could grow to be one of the great cult albums of alternative music.” – Beats Per Minute “Calling Motherfucker both a wildly bold and ambitious debut would still be an understatement” – New Noise Magazine
EWO X Maw: Berzerk
EWO x Maw: BerzerkBerzerk is a hardcore, anime-inspired live experience built around tension, impact, and release. Pulling from nu-metal, experimental hip-hop, and live band energy, the show blends distortion, heavy rhythm, and experimental structure into something physical and immersive. Curated by Eyes Wide Open in collaboration with Mawpy and LIPS, Berzerk brings together underground artists and hardcore energy, channeling themes of conflict, adrenaline, and expression into a full-room experience. No fixed genre. No clean edges. Authentic energy.Eyes Wide Open EWO Instagram Eyes Wide Open is a Raleigh-based collective founded by Memphis and Cocoa, focused on pushing the intersection of music, fashion, and art. Originally formed through open mic events at The Portal HQ in Raleigh, EWO prioritizes self-expression, experimentation, and community over rigid structure. Their events are built as environments rather than traditional shows, bringing together different disciplines to create something fluid, immersive, and rooted in underground culture.MawpyMawpy InstagramMawpy is an experimental hip-hop artist emerging from North Carolina’s underground, known for constant output and an unpredictable approach to sound. Blending self-produced work with frequent collaborations, his catalog moves between styles without settling into one lane. Whether performing solo or stepping into a cypher, his delivery leans on off-the-wall lyricism, sharp improvisation, and a clear intent to stand out in a saturated scene.LIPSLIPS InstagramLIPS YoutubeLIPS brings a live band element into the mix, grounding the night in raw instrumentation and alternative influence. Originally formed at Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival through organic jam circles, their sound pulls from folk-punk, hardcore, and improvisational spaces, adding depth and texture to the overall lineup. In a setting like Berzerk, LIPS acts as a physical counterbalance that translates energy into something loud, immediate, and felt in the room.