More than five years after CBGB shuttered its doors, ending three decades of legendary punk performances to transform into a high-end John Varvatos boutique, rumors of some sort of CBGB resurrection, both in music festival and new venue form, have been afloat.
According to flyers strategically placed at South By Southwest, CBGB's new, anonymous owners are moving forward with plans of the former by searching Austin stages to recruit "raw, loud" bands to play their July 4 weekend music festival. The Local describes the listing:
We are looking to be honest, raw, loud. We are not going to franchise or turn into the Hard Rock Cafe or CMJ but we do want punks to take over the city for one week this summer. We’ll try to prove that in just a few months.
By chance on Thursday, This Ain't Summer Love spotted new details of the festival on the existing CBGB website. Owners detailed:
The CBGB Festival is a five day celebratory showcase of music, film, distilled spirits and learning. From The Bowery and the Lower East Side to the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, join them as they turn it up as loud as it will go this year during the 4th of July holiday week. Experience four energy-fueled days & nights of music, rock-n-roll films, insider-industry workshops, and intimate storytelling...The CBGB Festival aims to continue this tradition for many years to come.
Hm, good news for the iconic CBGB brand? Or is this just a sad attempt to revive the good, old days? In any case, slip back into nostalgia with this doc about the celebrated venue below.