The Southern Darkness Festival Will Invade Tampa in August

Folks from Florida regularly complain in our comments section that so many “national” tours don’t make any stops in The Sunshine State. And while the emotional part of me certainly sympathizes — that really sucks! — my practical side understands that it is just kind of out of the way for a band on a full U.S. journey.

Well, complain no more! Floridians now have a metal festival to call their very own, the Southern Darkness Festival, set to take place in Tampa on August 23, 2014. Though the “festival” is just one day it’s spread across three venues, and we’re sure that if it does well it’ll expand in future years… and with a lineup this strong that looks quite likely. The emphasis is on grind, hardcore, sludge and post metal bands, in keeping with a certain aesthetic. My only gripe: no death metal! This is TAMPA for chrissakes!! Come on, dudes!

The action will take place at three venues: The Orpheum, Crowbar and Ybor Live. Advance tickets are $35 and day of show prices $40 (on-sale in late April via ticketfly.com).

Here’s the lineup so far:

Pelican
All Pigs Must Die
Maruta
Centuries
Sannhet
Mouth of the Architect
Black Tusk
Jungbluth
Yautja
Order of the Owl
A Storm of Light
Phobia
Strong Intention
Zoroaster
Everything Went Black
Weekend Nachos
Lord Mantis
Coke Bust
ASG
Junius
Set and Setting
Traitor Crucifix
Cosm