New Music Festival Coming To Tulsa In July

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Dfest may be silenced this summer, but a new music festival is jumping at the chance to fill the void.

The Tulsa music scene was disappointed when word spread that Dfest had been canceled for this summer. So three of Tulsa's live music giants combined forces to produce a new outdoor music festival called FreeTulsa! Cain's Ballroom, Soundpony and Crystal Pistol Saloon are taking over Main Street in downtown Tulsa's Brady Arts District for FreeTulsa! 2010.

"I've got a main stage. He's got a main stage and we're going to fill every one of these clubs up with bands. It's going to be just a crazy two days," said Jeff Richardson of Hard Work Records.

Once word spread that the popular festival Dfest was canceled, Marc Matheus and Jeff Richardson teamed up to have a celebration of local music on July 30th - 31st.

But they say FreeTulsa! is not a Dfest replacement.

5/21/2010  Related Story: Tulsa's Dfest Canceled For 2010

"The thing is we are both big fans of Dfest, but anytime there is a gap it's going to get filled. The void is going to get filled with something. Probably several something's and we wanted our something to be the best," said Richardson.

"Unfortunately, it was the perfect storm. We were set to do something and when Dfest went away, everyone kinda jumped over here and we're just filling the void like Jeff said," said Marc Matheos, FreeTulsa!

The two day event will feature a variety of music on nine stages.

Although it's called FreeTulsa!, they say there will be a price for admission, but concert goers will walk away with free stuff like t-shirts and cd's. They also say they are focusing on all things local to Tulsa, from bands to vendors and sponsors.

"We are somewhat taking advantage of the situation, to be up front about it. I think it's in a positive way," said Richardson.

FreeTulsa! 2010 has received several hundred band submissions online. Additional performer selections are still being made, and interested bands are encouraged to submit their music for consideration.

FreeTulsa! 2010 : Initial Lineup 

• Acoustic Ross
• And There Stands Empires
• Bearhug
• Brine Webb
• Broncho
• Bruder
• Cecada
• Daniels
• Danny J. Buck
• Dead Sea Choir
• Digital Graffiti
• Eden Sharmaine
• Ester Drang*
• Fiawna Forte
• First Lady Assassins
• Gentle Ghost
• ISHI
• Jacob Abello
• Johnny Polygon*
• jor DAN
• La Panther Happens
• Low Litas
• Lunar City
• Motive for Movement
• Native Lights
• Popular Culture
• Project Huckleberry
• Recorder
• Red Dirt Rangers*
• Science Club
• Stars Go Dim
• Teddy Jack Eddy
• The Doldrums
• The Non
• The Panda Resistance
• The Red Alert
• The Shining Lights
• Triple Fang
• Unwed Sailor
• Vandevander

* awaiting confirmation