This Saturday and Sunday, a few dozen local and regional bands perform at InFest STL, a two-day indie festival at 2720 Cherokee. The event is totally free. This is not a battle of the bands, and the acts are in no way competing with each other, but that's no reason not to pit twenty-five confirmed artists against each other in a single elimination tournament to decide who rules the InFest.
See also: -Swastikas, Lemmy and Screaming Christians: Picking the Winner of the Mayhem Festival -S.L.U.M. Fest 2013: Videos and Music by All of the Winners -The 15 Most Ridiculous Band Promo Photos
We have assembled a panel of three judges. Jonathan Willinger is a St. Louis native who currently lives in Chicago, where he is director of publicity for a prominent record label. Chris Bay is the interactive web producer for KDHX and the host of the "Gold Soundz" program. Ryan Wasoba is a dog owner from Edwardsville, Illinois.
All matches have been chosen at random, and due to the odd number of groups, the following bands received automatic byes into round two: Andy Hyland, Suzie Cue, Le'Ponds, MusicEmbryo, The Potomac Accord, Ocean Rivals, and Pretty Little Empire.
Match 1: Dream Fox vs. Ground Flow Fusion 8-bit electronica duo battles a solid jam band.
Jonathan Willinger: Although I am normally not a fan of chiptune bands, I think Dream Fox might have to win this round. Chris Bay: Ground Flow Fusion can hold a groove together pretty well. That and their Doobie Brothers cover ("Long Train Runnin'") gives them my vote. Ryan Wasoba: The main complaint is that Dream Fox is stuck to a tired format. Even so, the Nintendo electro thing is still more unique than what Ground Flow is doing.
WINNER: Dream Fox
MATCH 2: The Pass vs. Goodness Gracious Louisville, KY synth-pop unit against a man/machine hybrid hip-hop group.
JW: Goodness Gracious wins this round because of the obvious Nate Dogg influence. RIP. RW: I love the concept of Goodness Gracious, but something doesn't sit well. The Pass seems more committed. CB: I bet The Pass would destroy a Passion Pit cover. But their own tunes are rad, so there's no need to do that, I guess.
WINNER: The Pass
MATCH 3: 18andCounting vs. Franco-Hill Luck of the draw pits two hip-hop artists affiliated with the FarFetched collective against each other.
CB: This is a tough one; both are incredibly talented. I've never seen Franco-Hill live, so I just checked out some videos and man, they're amazing. Expansive, smooth, tight. RW: Franco-Hill is great, but 18andCounting is next-level great. JW: I can get down with 18andCounting.
WINNER: 18andCounting
