01 May Saints, Shovels, and Hell, Oh My!

Alright, SunFesters. The last difficult decision of the week is here (Well, that’s not entirely true. You do have to decide where to sit for the fireworks!)

We have three incredible acts opening for three incredible headliners. What stage are you going to pick? Who will be your new favorite discovery?

Here’s a little more information to help you decide:

Ford Stage: Shovels & Rope, and Alabama Shakes

Opening for Grammy Award winners Alabama Shakes is a married folk couple hailing from Charleston, South Carolina: Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, better known as Shovels & Rope.

Having both pursued solo careers in the past, this duo melts folk, rock, country, and punk together, which is the perfect appetizer before the main headliner tonight.

But this act, almost never was. Shovels & Rope was intended to be a one-off album from each other musicians’ main projects. But they knew the sounds created together were too great to ignore. And together they can make a LOT of noise.

Hearst is known for her vocals, guitar, drums, keyboard, and percussion talents, while Trent offers vocals, harmonica, guitar, drums, keys, and another hand at percussion.

My favorite release from them yet? Their cover album, shared in November, that includes some of my other favorite artists, including Austin’s Shakey Graves, and Lucius! Don’t miss them today at 5:55 p.m.

Tire Kingdom Stage: Saint Asonia and Evanescence

I previously raved about Evanescence’s beautiful work in my “Girl Talk” blog, but what about Saint Asonia?

Rocking the grassy oasis of SunFest is the Canadian rock group, led by former Three Days Grace frontman, Adam Gontier. Alongside Mike Mushok (guitar), Corey Lowery (bass), and Rich Beddoe (drums), the new nu metal rock group is sure to amp the crowd.

They’ve previously opened up for Disturbed and Seether, so the dark melodies of Evanescence are a perfect fit for the afternoon.

The group’s debut, self-titled album dropped last summer. Expect to hear their original work, as well as a few rock covers.

Rock your face off with Saint Asonia at 6:10 p.m.

JetBlue Stage: Coleman Hell and Walk The Moon

Now, Walk the Moon is one of my favorite acts to see live ever. The face paint wearing, neon dance loving, happy musicians throw one heck of a dance party. You know all their hits, including “Shut Up and Dance,” so make sure you head to this stage early to get some prime dance floor space.

But who’s opening up for them? The rising artist Coleman Hell. You probably already know all the words to his single “2 Heads,” and his debut full-length album is due out this year.

I am smitten with Coleman’s sexy vocals, paired with a wide array of sounds. “2 Heads” has folky-country notes (banjo!), but then this heavy indietronica glaze. House, nu-disco, pop, and folk-electronica have all been detected by listeners.

What does that mean for you? Oh, just that you’re going to love it.

Get ready to dance!! I’ll see you by the sea!