In case you can do without the swarms of punch-drunk classmates amassing at RIMAC Field, KSDT is offering a fiercely independent alternative.
‘zOMG it’s SHUN GOD’ ‘mdash; the station’s first annual Sun God Festival supplement ‘mdash; is being hosted by the scene-savvy folks at UCSD’s own radio station from 11:45 a.m. until 6 p.m. Just south of the Sun God statue itself, the grassy knoll outside the KSDT studio (right next to Hi Thai) will be bustling with live bands, face-painting, skinny jeans, temporary tattoos and an all-day dance floor.
Think of it as Sun God’s backyard block party.
‘We wanted to present students with an alternative to Sun God that’s got different genres,’ KSDT Programming Director Anna Huang said. ‘And [gives] more exposure [to] independent artists.’
While most were elated upon recognizing the big names peppering this year’s official lineup, the organizers behind Shun God are ditching the hip-hop and mainstream rock monopoly for unsigned garage bands and local artists, each of whom will fill out a 30-minute set. As a result, the performers won’t be seeing any paychecks from A.S. Concerts and Events. KSDT can rely on cost-free experimentals like Zsa Zsa Gabor and M’amp;M Blues ‘mdash; and grad students like the simply named Dylan ‘mdash; to win them a musical diversity badge.
Caxton, the most Billboard-friendly of the nine-piece line up, is a Palm Springs quartet that throws quite the Rilo Kiley silhouette. The band, which performed for the station’s last Fierce Friday Studio Session, will take the Shun God stage at 3:15 p.m. with a full, porcelain bawl more akin to Deborah Harry than Jenny Lewis.
If a one-girl, three-guy indie act is still too same-old, then ATOMS might ring your bell. Performing at 5:30 p.m., the group’s got a Hot Snakes sound spliced with low-fi thrash and roots-rock beneath their lead’s scruffy squawk.
Of course, if you want to take cover completely, the KSDT studio is doubling as a dance cabin. With deejays stacked for six one-hour shifts inside, Shun God’s willing to vie with any white tent Girl Talk can throw at them. (Situated in the Student Center, the folks at KSDT are well aware of Porter’s Pub’s key alcohol-dispensing proximity. As a result, the staff on site will also be acting as security at the door.)
‘With the old Student Center being so separated from Sun God and the whole RIMAC-ification of the party, we’re just trying to bring some change,’ Huang said.
The Che Cafe will also be hosting an $8 lineup of live bands after the Shun God event, at 7 p.m.