By Cameron Lee
February 15, 2024
Opened in 2007, Snug Harbor has long been considered to be an anchor in the local music community. The Plaza Midwood venue is now introducing a new three-day event called Springadelia (March 7-9), a weekend packed full of psychedelic-leaning acts of multiple genres.
The event is organized by Zach Reader, who has been the primary talent booker at Snug Harbor since 2013. Reader, an avid patron of the venue since he was 18 years old, has been a part of the local music scene since his days throwing house shows at the “Faison House” in NoDa, organizing festivals like Recess Fest.
“I like to find connections in music… to see how far that genre really goes,” said Reader. “You know, like, there can be psychedelic rap and psychedelic rock…or it can be interpreted as such.”
“Springadelia” has been floating around in his head for years. The term is inspired by experimental festivals like Desert Daze and Big Ears that host a vast and diverse mix of musical acts. And, while Reader is adamant about not calling this a “festival,” the weekend will showcase an eclectic mix of nationally and regionally touring bands such as Toronto psych rockers Hot Garbage, New York indie rock outfit Native Sun, Miami-based alternative artist Mr. Floyd Larry, and Brooklyn post-punk band, Dead Tooth.
The headliners may lean more on the rock side, but Springadelia will also showcase notable hip-hop producers and beatmakers like Charlotte’s AXNT and Dirty Art Club, along with psychedelic R&B singer-songwriter Clarity. The lineup is rounded out by North Carolina indie stalwarts like Patois Counselors, RUGG, Cuzco, Lofidels, The Wormholes, and Dipstick, who cover a wide spectrum of rock, all with their own distinct experimental characteristics.
For Reader, who is now also the Club Production Manager for Raleigh’s Hopscotch Music Festival, the lineup decisions came very naturally for him.
“Most of these bands just came right to me in my mind. And I felt like that was a good sign. Like, you know, just the timing is right,” said Reader.
With North Carolina being a popular touring route for many indie bands on the East Coast in March, Reader feels the event could draw some bigger names in the years to come.
“I wanted to keep this more locally focused…moving forward, hopefully there will be a few spots that are bigger traveling names,” he said.
Springadelia will feature two stages (both inside and outside) with live visual production by local and regional production designers and artists on each night like Pat Brown, Sweat Transfer, Splat Daddy, Thomas Miller, NASA, and Adam Cope.
On Sunday, the weekend will culminate with the Tiki Finale: A Day Party with performances by local legend Renelvis, surf rockers Aqualads, and TBD Brass Band with Reader, Bo White (Patois Counselors), and Marta Suarez del Real (Petra’s) playing tropical records on the patio of Snug Harbor.
The event will bring a unique audio and visual experience to one of Charlotte’s beloved venues, showcasing an extensive range of genres and musical talent.
Springadelia will take place March 7-9 at Snug Harbor in Plaza Midwood. Tickets are $15 for Thursday and $20 for Friday and Saturday night. Check out the full lineup of bands and acts performing:
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