Washington, D.C., punk band Ekko Astral have teamed up with national collective and nonprofit organization Gender Liberation Movement to stage a new music and arts festival. Liberation Weekend will take place on Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, in Washington, D.C., featuring performances from Ekko Astral, Home Is Where, Ted Leo, Speedy Ortiz, and more. Check out the festival poster and full billing below.
“The reason we’re putting this event on is simple: artists of all genders and genres should stand in vocal support of the trans community,” Ekko Astral bandleader Jael Holzman said in a press statement. “If you stand for freedom of expression, you support trans rights. If you believe in loving your neighbor, you support trans rights. Music is humanity’s most universal language—and we need our best artists to come together in support of our community now before it’s too late.”
Proceeds from Liberation Weekend will fund Gender Liberation Movement’s rallies, demonstrations, and direct actions in protest of anti-trans businesses and policymaking. The event will also include a dance afterparty and a “showcase” of Red Hot Organization’s Transa compilation featuring L’Rain, Bartees Strange, and Asher White. Ekko Astral are set to perform at both Pitchfork Music Festival London and Pitchfork Music Festival Paris later this year.
Revisit Nina Corcoran’s review of Ekko Astral’s Pink Balloons and read about it at No. 1 on “The 30 Best Rock Albums of 2024.”
