Atlantic and Top to host three-day anniversary festival

This weekend, The Atlantic Nightspot, located at 15 N. Main St., will host The Top and The Atlantic Anniversary Blowout to celebrate their 17th and 13th anniversaries, respectively.

Various artists will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at The Atlantic and The Wooly. In addition to these musicians, a few DJs will also be playing at venues throughout the blowout, including Arcade Bar.

Anthony Verdi, the bassist for the band Heat Rash, said the event will bring artists from across the music spectrum to the stage.

Verdi said the band is influenced by artists like Flipper and The Jesus Lizard. Heat Rash is set to play The Atlantic on Friday at 10:10 p.m. and will bring their classic rock sound to the stage.

“We are up-tempo heavy rock ’n’ roll, like old ‘90s just kind of heavy old rock music. But (Jacob Holland) has an interesting unique style, an old-school punk mixture,” said Verdi, 29, when describing the band’s sound and the vocalist’s style.

Verdi said events like the anniversary blowout are important in order to celebrate Gainesville spots that bring attention to local bands.

“(The Top has) been doing it for like 15 years, and The Atlantic is right behind it,” he said. “My friends and I go to so many shows at both venues. It’s so important to support the venues that support the Gainesville scene.”

Bailey Bruce, the events director for The Wooly, said she is excited for the bands to perform on The Wooly stage, not only to gain audience recognition but also to showcase the newly redone Wooly.

“I’m just excited to see all the bands take a step on our stage,” she said. “I’m really excited to bring that to The Wooly, to bring local bands to the stage and get audience recognition. I just have a love for Gainesville music.”

Verdi said the event will mostly bring out people involved in the Gainesville music scene because rock venues can be intimidating to those who aren’t accustomed to it.

“This will bring out a lot of older people who have families that don’t get to go to shows anymore,” he said. “We would love to see a more diverse crowd. Everyone finds out about music in their own ways.”

Bruce said the annual event is for guests to have fun and celebrate the birthdays of The Top and The Atlantic by taking in the live music.

“The idea is to have just a massive blowout party to celebrate,” she said. “Just have as many people come and enjoy our block as much as possible.”

The events throughout the weekend are free and open to the public, but age restrictions vary from 18 and older to 21 and older based on the venue. For more information about the festival including artists, set times, giveaways and more, check out their Facebook page.