Huntsville’s underground music is about to become more accessible. Local bands like Camping in Alaska, Camacho, Drop Diver, Silver Fern and Heel Turn aren’t losing their left-of-the-dial charm. But this year Sluice Fest, which celebrates the city’s top edgy acts, is moving to Orion Amphitheater, which since opening last year has brought legends like Stevie Nicks and Robert Plant to Huntsville. The week after Sluice, Snoop Dogg will perform at Orion.

Sluice Fest isn’t taking place inside the amphitheater. On Aug. 12 and 13, the festival’s two stages will be set up underneath Orion’s dome, where community events and concert afterparties are held just west of the main venue, and underneath the amphitheater’s second floor concourse, inside gate B.

Still, it’s an extra welcoming setting. Especially for music fans here who normally stick to more mainstream venues or last got into combat-boots music during the ‘80s and ‘90s.

“We really believe in our catchphrase, ‘Tell your friends. Invite your parents,’” says Christina Nava, who along with founder Ashleigh Jackson organizes Sluice Fest. “And we want the community to know that this event welcomes all.”

Sluice Fest’s core demographic is the young-and-tattooed. But, Jackson adds, “It has a bigger reach than I originally thought it would have. I always thought it would just be the same 100 people that live here that go to shows or are in bands or whatever. A lot of people come that you wouldn’t expect.”

Growing up in Florida, Orion managing director Ryan Murphy got his start putting on DIY punk shows. Hosting Sluice Fest now, he loves widening the perception of what Orion is. “You think of the Orion Amphitheater,” Murphy says, “which is this big, coliseum-looking, 8,000 seat amphitheater. But yeah, you can host something like this, too.”

In time-honored punk tradition, Sluice Fest is an all-ages show. The kind of energy that inspires young fans to start their own bands. Even before Sluice Fest moved there, Orion hosted standalone shows Jackson and Nava have put on, underneath that aforementioned dome.

“What I love about what Ashley and Christina have done,” Murphy says, “is it’s really cool to see there’s a huge amount of high school kids that come out.”

Sluice Fest is an offshoot of the local zine Jackson oversees, also called Sluice. Previously, Sluice Fest took place at SideTracks Music Hall, the dearly departed 350-ish capacity venue that shuttered in August 2022.

Nava says, “Ashleigh and I were devastated when we learned about the closing of SideTracks Music Hall. SideTracks contributed so much to Sluice Fests’ growth.” During their search for a new site, Sluice Fest organizers looked at different options, including Tip Top Café, the legendary local dive that in its ‘80s/’90s heyday hosted acts like Bo Diddley, Concrete Blonde and 311 and has been working towards a reboot since 2016 but has yet to reopen.

“We were so thankful when the folks over at the Orion wanted to step up to the plate,” Nava says. “Ryan Murphy has always been a supporter of ours and reached out last year to give us sponsorship, so it seemed natural to reach out to ask for help finding a home for Sluice.”

Nava says Matt Mandrella, the City of Huntsville government’s first-ever music officer, was also crucial in planning Sluice Fest’s next move. Mandrella says, “There is definitely something happening with the original music in Huntsville, where I think a lot of people feel it’s at level worthy of being elevated to a bigger stage and should be in front of bigger crowds.”

This will be the fifth edition of Sluice Fest. As in recent years, the festival will again kick off Friday night at the vibey Gold Sprint Coffee, which in recent years has emerged as Huntsville’s best venue for live indie rock shows.

Around 300 people attended Sluice Fest last year. They’re expecting a turnout of 500 or so this year.

Once again, Sluice Fest is run entirely by women. “Ashleigh and I are so lucky to be surrounded by a group of driven women who help us make this happen,” Nava says. “This year, that even includes the folks we’ve been working with at the Orion during the planning stage. I’ve been so inspired by the badass women making things happen on their staff.”

Sluice Fest is funded through ticket sales, plus the contributions of sponsors. The organizers say they don’t make any money from the festival. All money generated from ticket sales go to the bands and anything left is put towards next year.

In 2022, the festival was able to raise about $11,000 for bands and production crew, Nava says. “A ticket to Sluice Fest directly supports local and regional music,” she adds.

Around 30 artists are scheduled to perform at Sluice ’23. New programming this year includes a pre-party Wednesday night at Mad Malts Brewing, plus Friday and Saturday afterparties, at downtown fusion bar/restaurant Phat Sammy’s and west Huntsville’s The Bar at 805, respectively.

Day-by-day lineups can be found at Sluice Fest’s Instagram. Doors/gates are 8 p.m. Wednesday, 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

At Orion, the sets are staggered so the music’s nonstop. The sets are long enough you get the essence of each act yet short enough each performance is all-yeah-and-no-meh. Tickets (Wednesday $10, Friday $15, multiple-day passes $30 -$60) and more info at sluicefest.com.

In addition to Huntsville bands, the lineup’s bolstered by touring groups from Chicago (hardcore punks DIE), Memphis (death grind combo Knoll) and elsewhere.

Below are five can’t miss sets at Sluice Fest 2023. Year-to-year, several of the local bands are often recurring, including some mentioned in this article’s intro. For our picks, I tried to focus on acts that don’t play Sluice Fest most years. Really though, you can’t go wrong at this well-curated festival.

Please note: Although there’s a planned running order each day at Sluice Fest, start times are fluid.

Post Mortus, Sunday, Orion Amphitheater

The members of this Huntsville band are still all in their late teens, but their talent and drive are beyond their years. Post Mortus recently cut their yet-to-be-released four-track EP with Chris Vrenna, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Nine Inch Nails, recording the sessions. Key songs include “Apparition Affliction” and “Decapitated.” In addition to their metal and death-metal influences, the band’s sound includes flecks of prog and goth. Post Mortus’ lineup features singer Easton Evans, guitarist Stacy Spearman, bassist Logan Bardin and drummer James “Animal” Johns.

As far as lyrical content goes, Johns says, “We really like to stay away from the stereotypical singing about guts and gore and zombies or Satan. We write about real-world things like the fear of death, what comes after and mental health.” There’s much to be said about long-running bands that fans have cared about for decades. But as with Post Mortus, there’s extra oomph in youthful music played by young people. As Johns puts it, “It’s not like you’re watching a bunch of 50-year-olds with their guts hanging out trying to look hot.”

Mood Room, Saturday, Orion Amphitheater

This female-fronted Bham outfit does refracted, cascading alt-rock echoing Philly faves Mannequin Pussy and classic Brit avante-punks The Slits. Tracks like “dial tone” and “shallow breathing” beguile and transfix.

Seriously, Friday, Gold Sprint

Angular, post-punk straight outta Birmingham. Joy Division and Smiths enthusiasts will be all over this. Gateway tracks include “Darkroom” and “With Delight.”

Amygdala, Sunday, Orion Amphitheater

Soul-singeing hardcore-punk. Based in San Antonio and fronted by the badass Bianca Quiñones, Amygdala’s repertoire includes feel-good anthems like “Born Into Abuse.” They’re not afraid to stretch out either, see the epic “I Wish Upon a Shooting Star.”

Iron Law, Saturday, Orion Amphitheater, time TBD

Tuscaloosa/Bham band Iron Law sew thrash and hardcore into a battle-vest buzz. Tunes like “Damage” and “I Smell Billionaires” kick ass and write epitaphs later.

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