The nation’s largest powwow is this weekend, so a ton of folks will be visiting Burque for “The Gathering.” But people from out of town — and even locals — might not know about some of the smaller events, underground shows and hidden gems going down this weekend. Music fans shouldn’t worry, the city’s got your fix. Whether it’s upbeat dance grooves, thought-provoking lyrics, carefree pop or bloodcurdling death metal that you crave, there’s something for fans with any type of musical palate – especially if you want to skip the enormous crowds at EXPO New Mexico and just kick it this weekend.
Merciless Metal Savages
For the headbangers, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 25, 19 of the most brutal Native American metal bands hailing from every corner of Turtle Island hit the El Rey Theater (622 Central Ave. SW) and Insideout. It’s your chance to see extreme bands straight from the Rez such as Alliance, who are members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Vocalist Scottie Noline says there’s no better time to play Albuquerque than during the Gathering of Nations celebration.
“What everyone’s probably going to be seeing is a bunch of catchy hooks, heavy rifts and some long-haired, Apache headbanging,” he says. “But I think the bigger outlook to the Merciless Metal Savages show is that it’s all Native-based bands from different reservations all across the Southwest and the nation. So, seeing everyone come together — the literal gathering of nations — there’s definitely going to be a heavier look to it.”
Headlining act Blackbraid (US) is an Indigenous black metal solo performer hailing from the depths of the Adirondack Wilderness. Blackbraid creator Jon Krieger goes by the stage name Sgah’gahsowáh, meaning “witch hawk,” honoring the Mohawk land which inspires much of his music. Joining Blackbraid and Alliance for the savage Downtown metal throwdown are Under Exile from the Navajo Nation and Ocean Harvest with members from the Gila River Reservation in Arizona. This show is absolutely stacked, and they have to use two stages, so you shouldn’t have to wait long between sets.
Under Exile vocalist Franklin Yazzie says The Merciless Metal Savages concert is your chance to experience the various styles and unique energy of some of the best metal, punk and hardcore acts coming from Native Americans today.
“Many of the bands are newer, so attendees can be some of the first to see the bands’ development over time,” he says. “The event is all about showcasing the talents of these bands without being associated with a polarizing event or corporate agenda.”
Also joining the headliners on Friday are Heart Museum (Diné), Mishap (ABQ), Nowehji (ABQ), Forbidden Witchery (NM), Nocturne (ABQ) Eyes of a Killer (NM), Lilith (NM/AZ), Heresy (AZ), Six Million Dead (AZ), Existence AD (AZ), Thamju (AZ) Dewyuli (NV), Ahi Naahai (AZ), Lobatomy and Ghidora.
There’s a whole lot of metal crashing onto the stage for just $35.
You can check out Alliance’s linktree with all their pages and websites at linktr.ee/apachesinaband.
Under the Native Stars
For the thirteenth year, the Under the Native Stars music and art festival is happening April 25 and April 26 beginning at 6 p.m. at The Oasis Outdoor Event Center (3700 Ellison Dr NW). The starlit party features indigenous blues, rock, country and soul performers from New Mexico and all over the nation. Organizer Jir Anderson is from Cochiti Pueblo and one hell of a guitar player. He’s won awards and played all over the world, and although he will be performing with his band the Jir Project at the event, these days he’s taken on more of a mentorship role.
“I was still tied to my culture and my community, and that’s what we do as Native people, we give back to our community,” he says. “I feel there’s under-representation and support for the arts in the Native community. I wanted to take the Native community to a bigger audience – not just locally, but nationally and then globally. I think that’s where our stories are needed, and that’s where our history really needs to be told accurately.”
Anderson started Native Guitar Tours 18 years ago, a collective of Indigenous artists from across the country who host the Under the Native Stars festival. This year’s gathering of talent features the Jacob Shije Trio — Shije is from the Tewa Pueblo right here in New Mexico — and joining him will be Billy Crawley and the Good Ol’ Boys blending modern country with classic western twang. You can also enjoy Native blues and indie rock from Scotti Clifford, the music of rising pop star Alani from the Pueblo of Santa Clara, psychedelic soul from Webly June (Oglala Lakota, Muskogee Creek, Ho-Chunk, Cheyenne) and more.
The musicians are joined by artists Arianna Lauren and Sonja Killah, and the event features over 40 vendors and even a fashion show. Friday night general admission tickets are $30 and Saturday is $25.
Indigenous Baddies
Come out and support your homegirls at Juno’s outdoor stage (1501 First St. NW) at 8 p.m. on April 25 for an all-female lineup featuring some of the baddest Indigenous musicians in New Mexico. Headlining the show is Albuquerque’s Lindy Vision. The band is a musical force not to be messed with, and they’re also sisters. Dorothy and Natasha Cuylear (Jicarilla Apache Nation heritage) say the show, like their new album, is intentionally “minimalist.”
“We prefer intimate shows for our fans and for ourselves, and sonically it’s better,” Dorothy says. “It’s specifically an all-female lineup, which we intentionally did. We wanted to create that space for ourselves. We’re just kind of doing this DIY. I think what we’re really looking forward to is connecting on an intimate level.”
The show doubles as an album release party for their new record Perpetual Discontent, which is inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s book The Origins of our Discontent and criticizes an American caste system that Dorothy says people might not recognize still exists today. Despite some intense subject matter, much of the music is upbeat — 150 BPMs most of the time — and they’ll be playing it live, so the dance groove will be hot.
“I think you’ll hear the minimalistic elements and how we’ve grown as songwriters with the layering that we did vocally and lyrically. These are some of my favorite lyrics.”
Diné punk rock sister duo The Sillyettes from Gallup and DJ La Ruda complete the ensemble of baddies. Admission is just $10.
Check out Lindy Vision’s Perpetual Discontent on bandcamp at lindyvision.bandcamp.com/yum.
Merciless Savages
If the hardcore punks and metalheads harsh your buzz a little too much for you to venture out to Friday’s show, at 6 p.m. on April 26, the El Rey is throwing another party with at least 16 acts covering just about every non-metal genre you can think of: indie, pop, country, EDM and dance music, pop-punk, blues, performance art and everything in between.
You may have seen Merciless Savages show headliner, Lakota Rapper Stella Standingbear, on social media teaching the world how to “SKODEN.” She’ll be hitting the El Rey with Lakota and Diné rapper Nataanii Means, genre-blending pop artist Rezcoast Grizz (Apsaalooké Nation) of “Rez Girls Don’t Cry” fame, “hardstyle” dance music performer Darksiderz (Nisenan & Washoe) and indie pop artist Cherokee Social.
Also joining the party will be Lo-Cash Ninjas, Tonyknight Muzik, Christian Wallowing Bull, Hataalii, Turquoise Steel, Aluna Dragon, Djarin, SCIN.TIL.LATE, Smoke Shed Records, Mogley & The Zonies and others to be announced. You can check out every type of live music imaginable from some of the dopest Indigenous artists in the country for $45.
You can hear Stella Standingbear’s hottest new dance craze and learn how to “SKODEN” at youtube.com/watch?v=6d5Fve2N6pg.
All Nations Ska Reggae Fest
When’s the last time you’ve hit a ska show during the Gathering of Nations? Well, April 26 at 5 p.m. is your chance to take in the All Nations Ska Reggae Fest at Boxing Bear Firestone Brewery (8420 Firestone Ln. NE).
Headlining this event is reggae, rock and hip hop Ghost.Wav from Denver. Don’t miss Burque’s own Latin ska-punks Los Domingueros, DJ Riff Rat (Ska Edition) and British two-tone and reggae from The Gravitators.
In addition to the opportunity for spiritual growth through ska, there’s food, beer and a vendor’s market. Admission is just $10.