Inaugural Frantic City Festival Announced For Atlantic City With Car Seat Headrest, Yo La Tengo

The new fest was co-created by Todd Abramson of Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall and Joe Holdfast of Asbury Park’s Hold Fast Records.

The Southern Jersey Shore is finally getting the end-of-summer music festival it’s long deserved with the announcement of Frantic City. The new music confab slated for Sept. 24 at Atlantic City’s Orange Loop Amphitheater features a cross-section of punk, hard rock and indie bands, including Car Seat Headrest, Yo La Tengo, Snail Mail, Rocket From The Crypt, Superchunk, Murder City Devils, Shannon and the Clams, The Raveonettes, Samiam, Titus Andronicus, Protomartyr and Control Top.

The one-day event will be hosted by comedian/actor/musician Fred Armisen.

Frantic Fest is co-produced by Todd Abramson Presents, the former booker at Hoboken’s beloved Maxwell’s (RIP) who currently books Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall, and Joe Holdfast of Asbury Park’s now-shuttered Hold Fast Records.

The event began when the Orange Loop Amphitheater reached out to the two New Jersyites, who recognized the potential Atlantic City holds, which could be comparable to the development up the coast in NJ’s Asbury Park, which now has a number of quality music venues and festivals.

“Todd and I were approached by Pat and Charlie of Bourre in Atlantic City,” Holdfast said in a statement. “They asked if we would build something that we thought would represent and showcase what Atlantic City has to offer. As someone who worked in venues in Asbury Park, NJ, I saw a lot of comparisons and it really made me want to be a part of the revitalization of Atlantic City. I have been very fortunate to work on a lot of shows and festivals, on a lot of different levels, but never as a co-creator.”

Starting at noon, Frantic Fest will also feature regional vendors, quality food options and a “merch concierge,” who apparently will guide you in your music merchandise journey and hold your purchases until you’re ready to leave the festival.

Armisen, who may be best known for his comedy and his hilarious award-winning showPortlandia is i also a seasoned musician. He sporadically plays drums in the 8G Band, the house band for the Seth Meyers Show, and was in a number of bands including Trenchmouth. He’s also appeared on tracks by Les Savy Fav, Mathew Sweet and Wandering Lucy’s and in 2018 he played live with the legendary Devo at John Waters’ Burger Boogaloo festival.

“Frantic City is going to be a really great experience for fans,” Abramson stated. “Obviously, it starts with the stellar line-up but beyond that I think we are aiming to make it very comfortable and we are also being very considerate when it comes to the audience’s needs in terms of food and culture. We want to grow this festival by not only getting the repeat business of people who attend this September but we also want those individuals to tell all their friends about what they missed.”