Riot Fest – The punk, rock, alternative, metal, and hip-hop crowd’s favourite festival of the Year is on this weekend. Besides Heavy Hitters taking the stages (Alexisonfire, WuTang Clan, Weezer, Motorhead, Rancid) we’ve got some suggestions for bands you might not be too familiar with, but are definitely worth taking the time to check out.

The OBGM’s Ladies and gentlemen...the Oooh Baby Gimme Mores...OBGM's for short. You may recognize them from a Budweiser commercial from about a year ago. These guys straight rip though. A four piece garage band from Toronto that's hectic and fuzzy. Pure punk rock with some keyboards/synth spice sprinkled on top. Their debut full length record was released almost a year ago to the day. Fire it up from the top... "Beat Up Kidz" is a sweet tune. I've only heard good things about their live show. They must be doing something right as they cracked the Riot Fest lineup this year! See them at 1:45pm on Saturday at Downsview Park! – Kris Gies

Wildlife – Describing themselves as “weapon- rock” Wildlife is ready to hit the Riot fest stage with their Catchy tunes – letting you know what it’s like to be young and reckless. Let these Toronto Natives start out your day Sunday on the Riot stage @ 12:10

The Dirty Nil – Playing full fledged Energetic Rock ‘n’ Roll these dudes are sure to put on a good show for you, Get your dance on when these dudes hit the stage with their in your face, guitar driven, fast tunes! They’re playing Saturday on The Radicals Stage @8pm

Foxtrot- Travelling all the way from Montreal – - Although not quite a hometown act, Foxtrot will surprise you with heavy electric pop sounds, you just may need a break from all those, heavy rock bands, and there’s no better way than checking out FOXTROT, Sunday on The Radicals Stage @1:30pm

Rarity – Saturday Sept 19 on the Radicals Stage @2:45pm Another Local, surprising your ears, and the Riot Fest lineup with their fantastic burrito eating abilities, amoung their obvious talents of playing you singable rock songs. Fitting in to the line up like seasoned veterans. Make sure to catch them on The Radicals Stage @ 2:45pm on Saturday Sept 19

-Courtney Chalapenko

The inaugural Bay Area Vibez music festival officially announces its 3-stage, 2-day music, arts and urban lifestyle festival being held at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, California on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th, with more than 25 artists to represent the line-up. The festival was created in celebration of music, art, diversity and the rich culture that mirrors the Bay Area and its unique characteristics.

The first round of artists to be released are Grammy©winning artist, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Nas, who has a #1 album on American Billboard top 200, eight time Grammy© winning artist/producer, Stephen "Ragga" Marley, Grammy© nominated Meshell Ndegeocello, #1 Billboard reggae performer Morgan Heritage, Tarrus Riley, Jo Mersa; son of Stephen Marley, Fiji, Fishbone, Krooked Treez, Richie Spice, I-Wayne, Queen Omega, Ghetto Youths, The Courtney John Project, Black Am-I and the Oakland based fan-favorite band, Forrest Day, along with a few big surprises!

"...The eclectic mix is what constitutes the urban festival and represents the very nature of the Bay Area," says festival coordinator, Yurel Hassan Cooke. "The location is impeccable for an annual festival. With other surrounding fest locations as California Roots, Outside Lands, Reggae on the River and Treasure Island, the Bay Area Vibez seemed to fill a void on the map, and blending the genres for the Bay Area just felt right."

The water-lined breathtaking views of the city of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge have made Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland the perfect backdrop for this urban lifestyle festival. 

"Keeping the music alive for the next generations is key. Collectively, we need to support the creative flow of our children and open their eyes to a new world filled with creativity and a universal appreciation for diversity," says festival co-founders, an Oakland native; Tressa Wells, along with tour manager to Damian Marley, Albert "Pretty" Cooke.

General Admission are set at $85 for 1-day passes, $160 for 2-day passes and $225 1-day VIP, or $400 2-day VIP passes, which include early entrance to grounds, special VIP viewing and lounge area, VIP beer and wine garden and select organic foods and snacks. Shuttle services will be available for convenient entrance to the festival. Parking passes are $29 per day. Festival hours go from 11am to 10pm daily. For more information, or to secure tickets, visit www.BayAreaVibez.com.

Warn the Duke (mems. Big D and the Kids Table, River City Rebels) are gearing-up for the release of their debut album, Ghost be Gone, on October 16 and from the sounds (and looks) of their latest video, this LP will be a raucous, pop-punk ride. "Harry O'Donnell" has no shortage of energy--pick slides, gang vocals and an epic, crowd-surf-worthy solo near the bridge. The choruses for this song will leave you longing for the stale beer smell and jean jacket patches atmosphere that only a dive bar punk show can provide. If you're looking for an immediate PBR & rock n' roll fix, Warn the Duke will be playing The Midway Cafe this Saturday, September 18 as part of Boston's Burning 3, a three-day rock fest held in Jamaica Plain, MA.

For more info about Warn the Duke, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

The SF based heavy garage rock band, Happy Fangs will be headlining a show in San Francisco at Bottom of the Hill tomorrow night, September 12th. If you want to whip and bang your head (assuming people still head bang) to a night a heavy garage rock this is the show to attend. Black Map will also be performing some thrashy music that borders on metal. The post punk band, El Terrible will be rounding out the bill. How can you deny a Saturday night of music at Bottom of the Hill?!

Aggressive-Indie Rock; never heard of such a thing? Then you are missing out! This genre of music is best portrayed by The Sole Pursuit, and if you haven’t already heard this band’s sound, you’d better check them out. With a soft outer skin but a stern soul, their sound is far from mediocre. Their song “All Aside” is a perfect representation of what I’m talking about. With strong guitar leads and killer vocals, this band is going to go far! Wanna see for yourself? Their new debut album "Infinite Regress" is available this Friday, September 11th, 2015. You can bask in the awesomeness of their new album at their release party, Sept 10th @ Junction City Music Hall. -Nick M