SteelStacks Debuts New Indie Rock Concert Series Featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and RJD2

by Kerri O'Malley in News

Lovers of indie rock bands: the town of Bethlehem, PA is about to deliver your salvation.  The folks who bring us Musikfest every summer have recently expanded into a fully functional venue that offers year-round music, film, and arts/culture events, nestled into the stark structures that once built Bethlehem Steel.  And, at the end of March, the ArtsQuest Center on the SteelStacks Campus will debut its new concert series: Nowadays.

Nowadays focuses on musicians of the indie rock persuasion, and this year’s two-day quasi-festival boasts headliners Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., RJD2, Jukebox the Ghost, and We Are Scientists.  A total of 22 acts will be split into three stages within the building: one a common area near a row of gigantic windows that look out onto the often lit-up SteelStacks; another, the venue’s movie theater, complete with crazy-comfy seats; and lastly, the building’s built-for-it music venue, the Musikfest Cafe.  On the second and third floors of the building, the Musikfest Cafe has a great view of the stacks and an intimate, can-almost-touch-the-band vibe (seats included).

I attended an early event or two at the ArtsQuest Center and what really stood out, beyond the sleek, modern feel of the building with all its contemporary who-gimma-whatsits, was the vast space — the real feel of potential.  I can’t wait to see that space filled by a heavy load of eclectic modern music.  Take a listen to one of my faves playing the fest, Night Beats:

Nowadays runs from March 30th to the 31st, with advanced tickets coming in around $30/day and $55 for the whole weekend.  For more info and to purchase tickets, visit the Nowadays page on the ArtsQuest website.  The full line-up includes: HoneyHoney, Sun Airway, Caveman, Scott Pine & the Conifers, Great White Caps, ARMS, Buried Beds, Xylos, Strand of Oaks, Night Beats, Maps & Atlases, XVSK, Mean Lady, Toy Soldiers, Bleeding Rainbow, and Ambassadors.