Ten Artists You Need To See at So What?! Music Festival 2023

So What?! Music Festival is making its momentous return to Dallas this summer, and the lineup is better than ever.

The So What?! Music Festival is like Warped Tour on overload – the festival occurs in Dallas over the span of two days. It features everything heavy metal, rock, pop-punk, and rap acts from across the world, a true genre-bending festival. This year, the anticipated event will be taking place at Fair Park in Dallas (brand new location this year) on June 24th and 25th, and the lineup is absolutely stacked with acts like Pierce the Veil, the Used and many more. Check out Off Record’s artist picks, musicians you need to keep on your radar when attending.

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Forever the Sickest Kids

Like every other band on this list, Forever the Sickest Kids have written some of your favorite tracks from your emo phase – from “She’s a Lady” to “Whoa Oh (Me vs Everyone).” The party-punk band hails from the streets of Dallas, meaning this festival will be their homecoming show. While the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2013 due to the band’s label issues, they reunited briefly in 2017 for the So What?! Music Festival that used to happen in Grand Prairie. While they have not fully reformed or announced that the band is together again, we are more than happy to catch them at So What?! this year. After all, who doesn’t want to hear songs from Underdog Alma Matter?

Scene Queen

Scene Queens are known to be notorious trendsetters – Hannah Collins took the definition to the next level. Collins, who now goes by the moniker “Scene Queen” is a newer singer that combines the genres of metalcore and alternative rock. Collins coined the term “bimbocore,” as majority of her music features feminist themes. She has released Bimbocore Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in 2022, which features tracks “Pink Rover” and “Barbie & Ken” (featuring Set It Off). Most recently, she’s released a few singles that highlight the feminist persepctive, such as the song “18+,” which attacks predatory behavior in the rock music industry. Scene Queen is an artist to watch, as she provides a new juxtaposition to the metalcore genre with a unique perspective.

Hellogoodbye

Hellogoodbye formed in 2001 consists of members Forrest Kline, Adam James, Eric Hehr, Michael Nielsen and Augie Rampolla. This pop rock band is iconic and has been growing ever since – they are most known for the track “Here (In Your Arms)” from their debut album, Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! released in 2006. They have released three more albums ever since, including Everything Is Debatable in 2013 and S’Only Natural in 2018. On top of touring and experiencing multiple lineup changes since the formation, Hellogoodbye has toured with large bands such as Paramore and Relient K. They might’ve celebrated the anniversary of their debut album in 2021 with a fall tour, but we’re excited to see them perform all of the hit tracks on the big stage at So What?! Music Fest.

Bilmuri

Yes, we are talking about musician BILMURI, not the actor Bill Murray. This indie-rock band is fronted by Johnny Franck, who is best known for his solo project Bilmuri, along with metalcore band Attack Attack! and experimental duo The March Ahead. He has released multiple albums, including Letters in 2016 and Eggy Pocket in 2020. Bilmuri’s performance is unbeatable – through long setlist that depict his love for music and the shining color display on stage, Franck always succeeds at making the entire crowd headbang and mosh when possible.

Real Friends

Pop-punk band Real Friends has been in the game for quite a while now, and they are known to always put on the best shows. While they did experience a major lineup change after former lead singer Dan Lambton left the band in 2020, it didn’t stop them from moving forward to bigger and better things. They now have a new and eclectic frontman Cody Muraro, formerly of bands Youth Fountain & Parting Ways – Real Friends is back and better than ever. They’ve played a multitude of shows around the world as if nothing ever happened, including shows with Neck Deep, State Champs and Knuckle Puck. Most recently, Real Friends released their album There’s Nothing Worse Than Too Late in February 2023. The band is no stranger to festivals, and we can’t wait to see what they have to offer in Arlington.

The Color Morale

The Color Morale is another band on the lineup that is making yet another notorious comeback – the band formed in 2007 under RISE Records, and are a known staple in the metalcore world. TCM continued to gain popularity despite lineup changes after their second album, and eventually garnered a critically acclaimed album in 2016 with Desolate Divine and hit single “Clip Paper Wings.” Vocalist Garrett Rapp announced in 2018 that the band would be placed on an indefinite hiatus in order to prioritize health and rest. In 2020, Rapp announced that the band was working on their next album, hinting at their return. 2023 is the year of their comeback, and we cannot wait to hear “Walls” live – we’re definitely hoping to get a taste of the new album as well.

Guardin

So What?! Music Fest is bringing up a lot of emo-rap acts, and guardin is one of the best examples. Nicholas Jordan Kerr-Carpenter, also known as guardin, is an independent rapper who got their start by releasing singles on SoundCloud. His influences include similar acts like blackbear and the late XXXTentacion, and has put out multiple mixtapes and EPs. He has toured with acts like Oliver Frances, Mallrat and Hot Mulligan, and has even had multiple viral hits like “i think you’re really cool.” This festival is very reminiscent of his music, and fans are sure to enjoy his performance no matter what.

Poptropicaslutz!

If you are into the classic alternative emo sounds, you will definitely dig Poptropicaslutz! (pronounced pop-tropica-slutz). This memorable duo are great additions to the nu-emo wave that’s reviving the emo drama, as they blend in other elements of different genres. PTS! is currently signed with Epitaph Records, which is home to bands like Bad Religion, La Dispute, Sleeping with Sirens and You Me At Six. On top of creating hyperpunk tunes for the work, Christian Cicilia and Nick Crawford are great at throwing epic shows. They will be touring across North America this summer, with multiple stops in Texas, including SW?! Music Fest.

LØLØ

You’ve definitely heard LØLØ in some shape or form – you’ve either checked out her amazing solo stuff like album In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit , or you’ve heard her vocals on the iconic tracks of “Miss Jackson” by Panic! at the Disco or “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy. Either way, you are in for a treat – the Tennessee singer that goes by the moniker LØLØ resembles the likings of Joni Mitchell and Candi Staton, as heard in singles like “I Want It All” and “Wild.” While she will be touring across Europe this summer, she’ll be making her way down to Arlington this June. Fun Fact: LØLØ is also very involved in Broadway production companies and is pursuing a career in acting.

Neck Deep

So What?! Music Festival will mark Neck Deep’s only North American Festival performance, and we guarantee you that it’s something NO ONE can miss. Neck Deep is a Welsh pop-punk band that consists of brothers Ben and Seb Barlow, Matt West and Sam Bowden. In true pop-punk fashion, the band has released numerous tracks that we hold near and dear to our hearts such as “In Bloom,” “December” and “Loosing Teeth.” Neck Deep released their latest album All Distortions Are Intentional in 2020, and have appeared in lineups at Sad Summer Fest, Reading + Leeds, and even toured with Blink-182 and Lil Wayne. It seems like after all of the touring in 2021, they are taking a well-deserved break, but they will return to Texas and end the festival with a bang as they are set to close out this year’s So What?! Music Festival in Arlington.