Afropunk 2019 Atlanta Announces Lineup Additions

Image Credit: AfroPunk Festival

AFROPUNK, the world-renowned festival and movement, has announced lineup additions to its critically acclaimed, weekend-long, annual Atlanta celebration, AFROPUNK Presents The Carnival of Consciousness Atlanta, which will take place on October 12 and 13 at 787 Windsor in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2019 edition continues to display one of the most exciting and inclusive festival lineups in the world. Joining the lineup is blues-rock power house Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes), a rare collaboration between London drummer Moses Boyd & South Africa’s King of Gqom, DJ Lag, and a full roster of regional DJs and beat makers. These artists join the already announced headliners Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals and FKA Twigs, as well as Danny Brown, Gallant, Smino, SiR, Earthgang, Leikeli47, Masego, Fever 333, Mahalia, Ravyn Lenae and many others. (Full lineup below.)

The AFROPUNK festival has expanded to five cities around the world: Paris, London, Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Johannesburg, with additional locations on the horizon. Beyond its constellation of large-scale, live-music events, AFROPUNK is a worldwide community that is the engine of the global Black experience. AFROPUNK festivals are gathering places to experience art, food and craft-makers, social salons, and vendors. AFROPUNK is where the global majority comes to see and be seen, to speak loudly and proudly, to resist and party – but most of all, to create the future.

As has become custom, AFROPUNK has created an annual theme for its festivals: this year, that theme is WE SEE YOU, a message that brings together AFROPUNK ideology and the people who support it, under the banner of acknowledgment and in resistance to those who want to oppress us.

In an effort to make sure that everyone who wants to be a part of the festival experience can be, AFROPUNK is bringing back its earned ticket program, called AFROPUNK (AP) ARMY. The earned ticket social justice advocacy program gives the community the opportunity to join AFROPUNK’s volunteer corps in exchange for admittance to the festival. AFROPUNK works closely with nonprofit partners to provide volunteer activities and community givebacks in exchange for a festival ticket (a minimum of 8 hours of volunteer work will earn ONE General Admission ticket). The AP ARMY has grown to include a global membership of 35,000 volunteers, logging in nearly 100,000 hours of in-person service/advocacy (that’s the equivalent of 12 years!), and 160,000 social & digital actions, generating more than 25 million impressions in support of over 650 nonprofit organizations and social justice movements across the globe. The summer session of the AP ARMY launches May 2019. To find out more information about the AFROPUNK ARMY volunteer program, fans can sign up at https://afropunk.com/festival/atlanta/tickets/earn-a-ticket/and join the movement on Facebook.

Also returning to Atlanta this year is The Spinthrift Market, which showcases the best of AFROPUNK’s maker community. 30+ DIY-minded vendors and makers who sell an array of one-of-a-kind jewelry, natural beauty products, apparel, housewares, books, prints, and other products. If you’re a vendor or an aspiring entrepreneur, check out the SpinThrift Market Application here, and apply.

Be sure to check out returning SpinThrift Market vendor favorites Stuzo Clothing, Kroonz Wear, AFRODESIAC WORLDWIDE, and Trading Races.

AFROPUNK x Viral Sensations

In line with AFROPUNK 2019 “We See You” theme, we’re featuring Black viral sensations from across the world. One of these features is Atlanta-based, ASMR content creator, Spirit Payton, also known as “The Pickle Lady”. AFROPUNK’s editorial coverage of Spirit will explore how she got into ASMR, the secret behind her videos’ popularity, what kind of impact she hopes to leave in the world and much more. The editorial feature will go live on AFROPUNK.com on Tuesday, June 25th.

AFROPUNK APP:

The AFROPUNK 2019 app is the essential companion to your Festival experience. Use it to find set times of your favorite artists, to personalize your daily Festival schedule and to receive notifications before showtime. Also, discover new artists on our AFROPUNK playlists, curated by our headliners and guest DJs. Find out what vendors will be selling their goods in our Spinthrift Market, and what chefs will be featured in our Bites&Beats marketplace.

The AFROPUNK 2019 app will allow you to get the most out of your festival weekend, and keep you informed of all of the Afropunk programming offered in your city. Download and register now for a chance to win VIP upgrades and AFROPUNK merchandise.

SOLUTION SESSIONS:

AFROPUNK SOLUTION SESSIONS, the people’s forum turned critically acclaimed podcast, will return for a live Atlanta installment October 12th and 13th from 11am-3pm on-site at the festival. Participants will include guests such as transgender activist and executive editor of OUT Magazine, Raquel Willis, art curator, writer, and social activist Kimberly Drew, inclusion advocate and creator of #OscarsSoWhite April Reign, Licensed Psychologist and Founder of Therapy for Black Girls, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, and others. Programming will include a look at solutions around gaining better representation and support for marginalized communities, what the nuance and spectrum of Black gender liberation looks like-particularly in the deep South, a discussion around Black women and depression curated by Spelman College Students, and more! Hosted by social activist and podcaster, Bridget Todd and writer and producer, Yves Jeffcoat. This event is a part of the AFROPUNK Atlanta festival. You must purchase a ticket to the festival to attend. RSVP for further updates and information!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afropunk-solution-sessions-atlanta-tickets-63884805172

THE GRAPEVINE

The Grapevine is going LIVE in ATLANTA. In partnership with AFROPUNK, the innovative, panel-style talk show, known for its viral, fiery debates and thought provoking discussions, will host a conversation about the State of Historically Black Colleges. Do HBCUs prepare Black students for the real world? Are HBCUs better than PWIs? What better place to take on this debate than in the HBCU heartland? On October 12th, from 11pm-2am, join creator and host, Ashley Akunna, along with producer and panelist Donovan Thompson and their special guests at AFROPUNK Atlanta. Stay tuned for guest and venue announcements athttps://afropunk.com/festival/atlanta/grapevine-tv/

BATTLE OF THE BANDS:

After a five-year hiatus, AFROPUNK Battle of the Bands returns to Atlanta. AFROPUNK Battle of the Bands attracts the best-unsigned talent to compete for the chance to perform at AFROPUNK Atlanta 2019. Submissions open on August 5th at https://afropunk.com/festival/atlanta/battle-of-the-bands/ after which four finalists will be chosen by public vote. The four finalists will battle it out at the final live show with the winner performing at the festival. Watch our platforms for updates on AFROPUNK Battle of the Bands Atlanta 2019.

WE SEE YOU AFROPUNK 2019 THEME

#AFROPUNK ISEEYOU

There is power in acknowledgment, a recognition and acceptance that begins with seeing.

Not at a glance, but with a meaningful gaze, a focus that carries the strength required to build a shared global future and a brave new world. Our courage is already immortal.

Absorbing the soulfulness of your existence is an act that’s as natural as breathing, yet one too often distorted by perverse colonial visions. Our presence is their terror.

Of course, your beauty, individuality and wonder was never truly hidden. The world has simply chosen to go willfully blind.

Knowledge and experience do not compensate for the need to perceive more clearly, engage more locally, listen more closely.

Seeing is believing. Seeing is understanding. Seeing is supporting.

We, the people, see you.

We see you.

FULL ATLANTA LINEUP

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

FKA Twigs

Brittany Howard

Danny Brown

Masego

Gallant