Destroyer and Stephin Merritt will headline Bazooka! Fest, the indie rock festival that has cultivated a reputation for showcasing experimental and boundary-pushing musicians. The festival's 2024 lineup adds Times New Viking, Joanna Sternberg, Sad13, and Asher White to its roster.
Destroyer, the project of Dan Bejar, brings his baroque pop sensibility and intricate arrangements to the bill. Merritt, the prolific composer behind The Magnetic Fields, represents decades of innovative songwriting across multiple genres. Their appearance signals Bazooka! Fest's commitment to artists who refuse genre constraints.
The supporting acts reflect the festival's ethos. Times New Viking, the Columbus trio known for lo-fi noise-pop experimentation, contrast sharply with Joanna Sternberg's confessional indie songwriting. Sad13, Alexis Marshall's solo project alongside his work with Tongue Depressor, brings angular art-rock credentials. Asher White rounds out the announced slate with guitar-driven indie sensibilities.
Bazooka! Fest has built itself as an alternative to mainstream music festivals by prioritizing artistic vision over commercial appeal. The festival attracts audiences invested in contemporary experimental music and indie rock's deeper currents rather than festival circuit regularity.
This lineup positioning places Merritt and Bejar as elder statesmen of indie experimentation, validating decades of uncompromising work. Both artists have maintained artistic independence while achieving critical respect, making them ideal festival headliners for audiences valuing innovation over accessibility. The supporting cast ensures the festival maintains its reputation for careful curation, avoiding the homogenized booking that defines many contemporary festivals. Bazooka! Fest continues its role as a curator of taste within independent music culture.