BreakFEST 2019 Artist Spotlight: H.A.R.D.

What began as an idea several years ago by New Found Glory guitarist and local transplant Chad Gilbert, and finally manifested into an inaugural event last year at The Factory at Franklin’s Liberty Hall, breakfast-themed punk rock and alternative day fest BreakFEST was an absolute blast in its first year, and we’re thrilled to see the event return for year two, hopefully the start of an annual tradition, on June 2!

A novel concept (you can read more about the inspiration and backstory in our interview with Gilbert from last summer) BreakFEST is a great way to bring fans of pop punk, emo, alternative, and everything in between together in the daytime, to enjoy great tunes and great food, and this year’s lineup once again boasts a stellar mix of old and new acts along with a few locals, with New Found Glory, Real Friends, Hawthorne Heights, Mae, The Early November, Microwave, Jetty Bones, H.A.R.D., Love You Later, and Doll Skin all set to perform. Plus, with great local venders like Frothy Monkey, Honest Coffee, Five Daughters, High Brow Coffee, Tiny Little Donuts, Mojo’s Tacos, Juice Bar, Triple Crown Bakery, Muletown Coffee, and Ruby Sunshine all announced as well, the breakfast side of BreakFEST warrants just as much excitement.

To help you get ready for this year’s event, we’ll be highlighting a different performer each day until BreakFEST weekend, with daily Artist Spotlight features (similar to what we’re also doing ahead of Bonnaroo). So, whether you’re checking in on an old favorite or discovering a new one, you’ll arrive ready to rock and prepared to sing along! And finally, for more about all things BreakFEST, including a helpful FAQ section, be sure to check out the event’s website.

BreakFEST is an all ages event, and, as the concept would suggest, it kicks off early, with doors set to open at 8 a.m. You can still get GA tickets for less than $40, or upgrade to $100 VIP, which grants you special balcony seating, a separate bathroom and bar, special entry, and some freebies like a t-shirt and poster. Food and beverage are not included in the price of admission, but there will be a well-curated selection of local goodies that are well worth the cost.

Get your tickets right here if you haven’t already, and keep reading to learn more about the lineup in our BreakFEST Artist Spotlight…

LEARN

Founded in early 2017 by members of Light Beam Rider, after that promising former Mississippi-bred project split, Nashville’s Have A Rad Day, or H.A.R.D., as they generally go by, have been gaining local buzz since first appearing on a number of bills that year. The group garnered attention for first single, “Bellyacher,” not long after coming together, and with production and co-writing from Diarrhea Planet’s Jordan Smith, and guest vocals from The Weeks’ Cyle Barnes, it served as an exciting, commanding, confident introduction, establishing the band’s sound somewhere between DP’s shred-worthy, riff-tastic, fun loving party punk, and The Weeks’ sludgy, southern rock.

Another early single, “Hometown Hero,” further flexed H.A.R.D.’s range and had us keeping a close eye on the group ahead of their absolutely fantastic debut EP, Have A Rad Day, which dropped last summer, and serves a hell of an introductory effort, landing as one last year’s best local releases, and asserting H.A.R.D. as the next great Nashville rock band to watch, especially if you’ve been mourning the loss of Diarrhea Planet as hard as we have (Smith’s production hand is definitely felt, and he even appears as a guest on standout track “Sports Sinner”). The hard-hitting, fun-loving, riff-shredding indie punks are another inspired choice for this year’s BreakFEST, adding more local flair and pushing the sonic range of the lineup. If you’re not fully awake by their set, you will be by the end!

LISTEN | “Bellyacher”

WATCH | “Sports Sinner” (Official Music Video)