The time has come yet again for what may be our favorite Saturday to spend in lower Manhattan. Village Voice’s annual free festival on the South Street Seaport, 4Knots, is back this year, and it promises to be all the insane levels of fun that it always is. Soaked with garage rock, sunshine and beer, 4knots is one of our favorite festivals — and to celebrate its fourth year, we’re listing the reasons it’s absolutely not a festival to miss. Check out all the information and the full lineup here, as well as our flawless reasoning on why you should be there!
1) It’s Free
Hey dummy, are you really going to say no to a festival that’s free? As in costs no money to attend. With many festivals costing people well into the $300-$400 range, 4Knots is able to give an amazing day of music to the public for free. FOR FREE. YOU HAVE TO PAY NOTHING — WHAT ARE YOU DOING SATURDAY THAT IS BETTER THAN THAT?!
2) It’s in a Place You Never Go
Listen, I know that going all the way to south Manhattan is intimidating and many of us would rather burn in an oven than spend a day in the finical district, but South Street Seaport is actually amazing. It’s basically a mixture of a museum and a port. There are magnificent old ships that frame the festival, a lovely ocean breeze that comes off the river to keep everyone cool and the shops and food which mandate it into a destination for tourists and townies.
3) It’s Pure, Awesome Garage Rock
One thing that Village Voice does best when curating the lineup of 4knots every year is staying true to the indie/garage rock ethos where it began. You aren’t going to find too much synthpop here, just some old-fashioned wailing on a guitar. These bands can get shafted in many lineups as fashions fluctuate towards one sub-genre or another, but 4knots stays true to their sensibilities and every year puts some incredible rock on those stages.
4) Mac DeMarco Shows are Incredible
As much as we love Mac DeMarco’s music — and we truly love it — the draw at one of his shows is his hilarious and vibrant stage presence. He basically infuses stand-up with rock music, and that’s the best thing in the world. Even if you don’t want to see anything else, come for DeMarco’s truly awesome show.
5) While We’re at it, Those Darlins Shows are Also Incredible
Speaking of another amazing band to see live, the absolute unadulterated energy that is Those Darlins is another must-see. They’ve been topping our list of bands to see at everything they’ve played this year, so take this opportunity to see them for free. Cause it’s not like you have any money on the line here — seriously.
6) It’s Only Seven Hours of Your Day
It starts at 1pm and ends at 8pm. You have time for brunch and you have time to get drunk after. It’s basically like an awesome picnic where the food is actually loud music. Which, honestly, is the perfect world.
7) It’s Basically All Ages
Sure, there are mostly kids in their 20s mulling around, but because 4Knots is such a short period of time and because — again, I cannot stress this enough — it’s FREE, there are people of all ages here. Do you have a kid that you want to get in the habit of being hardcore early? They’re welcome at the festival. Do you have an awesome grandpa who loves Dinosaur Jr.? Also welcome. Side note, I want to be friends with your awesome grandpa, please.
8) Dinosaur Jr. is a Legendary Band
These guys have been rocking probably about as long as you have been alive, and they’re still more hardcore and cooler than you will ever be — now show some respect and get down with them!
9) Actually, the Whole Lineup is Great
Yes, I pointed out the favorites, but of the ten bands playing there is not a single one I would skip. All of them are amazing and worth seeing. Come early and get a good spot for all of them, seriously!
10) You Got on “The Boat,” You Lucky Bastard?!
This boat at 4knots is enviable.
