1. Apollo Sunshine
As this year's side-stage band, Apollo Sunshine bring a hometown flavor to the lineup. Formed in Boston in 2001, the trio, guitarist/vocalist Sam Cohen, bassist/vocalist Jesse Gallagher and drummer Jeremy Black, is riding the wave of the indie-pop boom of the past couple years. Having met through Berklee College of Music, Apollo Sunshine is looking to build on the success of their debut album, "Katonah."
2. The Juice
The winner of the Tufts Battle of the Bands, The Juice, start off the day-long festival. Taking after Tufts' most famous musical group, Guster, The Juice has a youthful exuberance about themselves. As an all-sophomore band composed of bassist Ken Kitchin, guitarist Leon Mandler, percussionist Jim Govatsos, and vocalist Matt Ballinger, the group is well-deserving of an early arrival to the President's Lawn.
3. The Walkmen
From the remnants of Jonathan Fire Eater and the Recoys arose The Walkmen, an indie band which has been favorably compared to the Pixies and the Velvet Underground. After releasing an EP in 2000, the group has since produced two more albums highlighting their musical virtuosity and garage-rock style. As if they needed any further validation of their arrival on the indie scene, The Walkmen have also been featured on "The O.C."
4. Goldfinger
Following in the footsteps of last year's Less than Jake, Goldfinger is sure to pick up the crowd with their ska-punk music. The group hit the mainstream in 1996 with a self-titled album, and, along with Sublime and No Doubt, became the big sounds for the ska-punk fusion movement. While crowd-surfing or moshing, listen out for their classic "Here in Your Bedroom."
5. Busta
It took two years for him to come, but Busta is back. He's brought the wet weather with him too, but hopefully the thunderstorms will stay away. After breaking out in 1996 with his single, "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check," Busta continued his solo success with "When Disaster Strikes" in 1997 and "Extinction Level Event" in 1998. Jumbos should be more than happy to have this energetic and inventive hip-hop artist; let's just pray we get to see him this time around.
6. This one is for Wyclef's mom. Congrats on the wedding.
