A press release about AthFest:

AthFest 2008 is pleased to announce the headlining artists for this year’s festival. On Friday, June 20, at 9 p.m., 17-piece psychedelic rock collective Dark Meat, recently signed to Vice Records, will perform. On Saturday, June 21, at 9 p.m., pop darlings Modern Skirts, currently in the studio with David Lowery (Cracker), will perform. Dub reggae collective Dubconscious, who will soon release their fourth CD, will close the festival on Sunday, June 22, at 7 p.m..

Additional performers for 2008 include Twin Tigers, Cinemechanica, We Vs. the Shark, Centro-matic, A. Armada, Pegasuses XL, Elf Power, Contraband, Venice is Sinking, Velveteen Pink, Folklore, Don Chambers + GOAT, Bloodkin, Ken Will Morton and others.

AthFest 2008 will be held June 18-22, 2008, in historic downtown Athens, a town long renowned for its thriving music scene. For the past 11 years, this annual music and arts festival has showcased the best in local, regional, and nationally recognized Athens-based talent. Over 150 bands and artists will perform over the course of the weekend, with most performances free of charge to the public. The festival also includes a juried artisan market, the Flagpole Music Awards show, KidsFest, and much more. From 2005-2007, AthFest was included in the “Top 20 Events for June” by the Southeast Tourism Society.

The B-52s will be performing live on WXPN (the Philadelphia NPR station) from the Electric Factory in Philly at noon this Friday. You can catch the show and get more details here.

Susan Tedeschi, The Lee Boys
8 p.m., Georgia Theatre
Tedeschi (above) is a blues and soul singer and guitarist who is married to Derek Trucks of the Derek Trucks Band. On her latest album, “Hope and Desire,” she covers songs by artists such as Ray Charles, The Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin. The Lee Boys play sacred steel, a musical movement that began in the House of God Church. Driven by the pedal steel guitar, their sound encompasses elements of R&B, gospel, hip-hop, rock and country music. Tickets are $15. - Trisha Klein

Nathan Angelo, Micah Dalton, John Black
10 p.m., Tasty World
Angelo plays piano-driven pop songs with a Southern drawl. Folk musicians Dalton and Black may share a label, Athens-based Rebuilt Records, but they have distinct sounds. Dalton sings with a soulful voice similar to Ben Harper’s, and Dalton sings his folk anthems with a twang. - Trisha Klein

• 283 Bar: Paster of Muppets.
• Farm 255: Six Strings.
• Georgia Theatre: Susan Tedeschi, The Lee Boys.
• Melting Point: North Georgia Bluegrass Band.
• No Where Bar: Free Lunch.
• Rye Bar: Dub Reggae.
• Tasty World: Nathan Angelo, Jon Black, Micah Dalton.