Make sure to get your rest for PearlPalooza which happens this Saturday, September 22 from Noon to 9:00 PM. This FREE festival offers an incredible lineup jam packed with 9 hours of music from national and local talent. Indie pop duo Matt and Kim lead the festival’s Main Stage. The festival also includes a homecoming performance from Phantogram, a local Saratoga act that heightened their popularity the past couple of years with their Eyelid Movies debut, collaboration with the Flaming Lips, and a possible collaboration with Big Boi from Outcast.
Shane Spillenger, organizer of the event, was nice enough to take time out of his super busy schedule to chat with us.
Q: What spurred your interest in starting a street festival?
A: I really enjoy putting on concerts and with a little inspiration from LarkFest I saw an opportunity on Pearl Street to create another great event for Albany.
Q: What does it take to organize an event like this?
A: Amber Miller from WEQX and I start working on next year’s event literally the week after the event ends. To make the event free it creates a lot more work but it would not be the event it is today if we had to charge. The bands work with us and without our sponsors it would not be possible.
Q: What are your favorite moments from the first two years of PearlPalooza?
A: The first year was awesome because I got to work with one of my child hood favorites Rusted Root. To see the event grow last year was amazing. Company of Thieves and Mute Math could not have put on a better show for everyone. The rush from standing on stage and seeing what we created is what pushes me to do it every year.
Q: What can we expect this year?
A: The best PearlPalooza yet! I feel like the lineup is not even comparable to previous years. We really have 3 headliners this year and unbelievable support acts.
Main Stage Acts: Matt and Kim, Phantogram, Robert DeLong, Royal Concept
Don’t forget to check out more Capital Region talent on the Local Stage. Who knows? Maybe they will follow in Phantogram’s footsteps. Click here for the full lineup and more info. See you Downtown, Pearl Street is Your Street!
– AR
