Sponsored by New Noise Magazine and DistroKid, the brand-new Total Bummer Festival will make its debut in New York City this spring, launching what organizers plan to be the first in an annual alternative music festival series.Sponsored by New Noise and Distro Kid, this brand-new alternative music festival takes place in NYC and will the first of an annual music series, featuring the following:

The two-day event takes place May 30–31 at Knockdown Center in Queens and features a stacked lineup spanning indie, alternative, shoegaze, and underground rock.

5/30

DINOSAUR JR
BLONDE REDHEAD
MEAT PUPPETS
FLIPPER
TEEN MORTGAGE
NO JOY
MIHO HATORI
BLOODSPORTS

5/31

THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN
JULIE
THEY ARE GUTTING A BODY OF WATER
DROP NINETEENS
HER NEW KNIFE
STARCLEANER REUNION
LATHE OF HEAVEN
BLAIR

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Located at 52-19 Flushing Ave in Maspeth, Queens, Knockdown Center is a renowned cultural space, performance venue, and art center. The festival will feature two stages, with artists performing throughout both days.

As the official media partner, New Noise Magazine will be on site conducting interviews with artists and fans while documenting the entire weekend. Festival-goers can also check out a photo booth and step-and-repeat installation, giving attendees and artists the chance to commemorate their appearance at what organizers hope will become a long-running festival tradition.

The event’s primary sponsor is DistroKid, the world’s largest music distributor, who will also be on site showcasing their artist services and supporting the independent music community.

The festival is curated and produced by Saint Vitus Presents, the live event arm of the legendary Brooklyn venue Saint Vitus Bar. The venue operated for 13 years before closing in 2024 following alleged NYC building violations.

During its run, the 250-capacity venue became one of the most beloved underground music spaces in the city, hosting countless rising acts before they broke worldwide. Its stark, all-black interior and ceiling of hanging dead flowers became instantly recognizable to fans, while its walls displayed memorabilia from historic moments — including Dave Grohl’s drumsticks from the 2014 Nirvana reunion after-party celebrating the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, alongside photos and artifacts from visits by members of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and many more.

In 2024, due to unprecedented events regarding alleged “NYC building violations,” the venue sadly closed its doors. Over the years, Saint Vitus hosted shows from artists such as Nothing, King Woman, Deafheaven, Pallbearer, Yob, and High on Fire, while also becoming famous for intimate “underplay” performances by major acts including Nirvana, Blink-182, Megadeth, Refused, Anthrax, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Descendents. The venue also hosted book events with icons like Tony Iommi, Peter Hook, Johnny Rotten, and Bruce Dickinson.

The venue’s legacy continues to live on through its iconic merch and through the now-sold-out 2023 Saint Vitus book, written by New Noise Magazine contributor Nathaniel Shannon. A release event for the book was later held at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, hosted by Walter Schreifels (Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Rival Schools) and featuring interviews and artifacts from the venue’s history.

While rumors of a new Saint Vitus location have circulated within the heavy music community, no official announcement has been made. In the meantime, Saint Vitus Presents continues to curate shows across venues throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.

For fans of independent music, Total Bummer Festival marks the beginning of a new chapter. Tickets for Total Bummer Fest are on sale now through Dice.FM.