Star Anna at Slackfest ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The new festival on the block this year the No Depression Festival, that as one might guess is curated by the locally based and now online-only music publication No Depression, which for years has focused on the American roots, alt-country and folk scene around the nation. Having forgone the paper magazine side to their business last year, this festival is a fierce statement that unlike other music publications falling by the wayside, they intend to remain a force on a scene they’ve documented for so long.

Happening Saturday July 11th at Redmond’s Marymoor Park stage, and starting at 1pm, the No Depression Festival is a day full of acts, local and otherwise, worth showing early for. Headlining is Sub Pop powerhouse Iron & Wine, who seems to like keeping his shows intimate, thus always a hot ticket. Local alt-country veterans Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter is the big local name on the bill, joining fellow evening acts Gillian Welch, Drive By Trucker Patterson Hood and his new band, and son of Steve, Justin Townes Earle.

We want to drop a special nod of attention for the artists in the small print, who are playing earlier at the festival as a part of what the festival is calling an “All Star Revue” at 2pm. Backed by a house band, local rising stars like Mark Pickerel, Star Anna, Sera Cahoone, members of the Maldives and more will in the festival’s words ” play songs oft-associated with the genres that No Depression has covered over the past 14 years.” The possibilities that this moment provides is definitely a reason to show up early, and this group of is sure to do the material proud.

Courtesy of STG Presents we have a pair of tickets to offer to the first person to comment on this post who want’s them. That simple. I’ll make sure you’re comment get’s moderated quickly if you’re a first time commenter. I’ll note a winner when there is one.

For those who need to get tickets still themselves, they are $45.00 each at Ticketmaster (not counting fees).