PhaseFest roars on this weekend

The queer band MEN, which evolved from a DJ/production/remix team, play PhaseFest again this weekend. The indie music fest kicked off Thursday and runs through the weekend. (Photo courtesy of PhaseFest)

The fifth annual PhaseFest Queer Arts and Music Festival continues this weekend at Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) with a line-up of local and international performers, crafters and artisans featuring their work and more starting at 7:30 p.m. and going until almost 2 a.m.

“We’re expecting it to be super packed every night,” says Angela Lombardi, manager of PhaseFest and Phase 1, adding that they are expecting anywhere from 700 to 800 people over the three days. “We’re really encouraging people to come out early.”

According to the festival’s website, PhaseFest is dedicated to the development, exposure and interaction of queer and queer-allied musicians and artists.

Tonight, there will be performances by MEN, People at Parties, the electronic dance bands Tayisha Busay and Glitter Lust, the duos Rad Pony and Lost Bois, and G.U.T.S.

MEN, who headlined Saturday night at last year’s festival, started as a DJ/production/remix team of Le Tigre members JD Samson and Johanna Fateman. Now the group consists primarily of Samson, Michael O’Neill and Ginger Brooks Takahasi with Fateman and Emily Roysdon contributing.

“They rocked it out last year,” says Lombardi. “So people are … stoked about having them back.”

The drag troupe, D.C. Kings, will also perform a mini-show starting around 10:30 p.m.

The festival ends Saturday night with a performance by the queer, all-female band Sick of Sarah, as well as Hunter Valentine, Allison Weiss, Mitten, Melissa Li and the Barely Theirs, Clinical Trials and Michelle Raymond.

This is Sick of Sarah’s first time performing at PhaseFest.

“They’re a smoking hot group of rockers and they’re just going to blow everyone’s minds,” says Lombardi of the band.

For quite a few acts, this isn’t their first time at PhaseFest.

“We’ve got some Phasefest regulars coming back,” Lombardi says.

Admission is $20 each night for Friday and Saturday. A festival pass is also available for $45. All attendees must be 21 or older.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit phasefest.com.