Description
ANNOUNCING THE THIRD ANNUAL QUEERCORE FEST!!
DATES: September 18th and 19th
PLACE: CitySpace, Easthampton, MA
With a lineup of thirteen bands alongside local makers, vendors, and community resources, QueerCore Fest unites art and activism with the collective care and catharsis of a DIY punk show. This event exists as a vital rallying point for queer, trans, BIPOC, and femme folks and all marginalized identities and our allies to gather, resource, and fortify each other’s bodies, hearts, and nervous systems.
In a world where systems of power attempt to dictate who this world is for and who it is not, QueerCore Fest is a defiant reminder that we have always been the ones to DIY into existence the spaces where the fullness of each other’s humanity can be expressed, received and resourced. It is an invitation for everyone in that space to feel our hearts and nervous systems collectively remember our belonging.
And, from that place, it is a promise that we can and will continue to build worlds that affirm, resource and celebrate the brilliant humanity of all whose existence is pushed to the margins.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Easthampton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. We are so grateful to both groups and our fiscal sponsor, Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, for believing in the power of funding art as a form of community and human care!
Follow us on instagram @queercorecollaborative for band announcements and more!!
PROCEEDS:
Queercore Fest is a volunteer-run event. All funds go directly to paying bands and the venue. In resistance to the systemic violence and oppression experienced around the globe and in our communities, ALL remaining proceeds will be donated to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, a non-political, humanitarian organization providing essential care for children and families in Palestine and throughout the Levant.
LINEUP:
Two days, fourteen bands, one market of makers and vendors, numerous community resource orhs, and a whole room of humans gathered to love, rage and celebrate each other’s existence!
Follow us on instagram @queercorecollaborative and revisit this page for band announcements throughout the months of July and August, starting on Monday, July 6th!
Friday Lineup
Letters of Marque
Hailing from the underground music scene of Western Massachusetts, Letters of Marque is set to return to the QueerCore Fest stage for this year’s lineup! Drawing from the lineage of 1990’s screamo, expect a room full of loud, jagged and deeply emotive scramz when Letters of Marque takes the stage. With a name invoking a time when privateers were authorized by a nation at war to attack and capture enemy ships, Letters of Marque are committed to disrupting systems of power, uplifting marginalized voices and making space where the experiences of alienation and self-doubt can be expressed through live music.
Mybodywasfoundinahollowtree
Connecticut’s finest purveyors of “catviolence”, Mybodywasfoundinahollowtree are officially making their debut appearance at QueerCore Fest! Expect raw emotion, massive skramz energy, and a chaotic, all-in live performance that will leave you staggering for breath. Consider this your final warning: prepare to have your heart stolen by your next musical obsession.
Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier is a ferocious, “unapologetically ghetto” NYC-based hardcore punk band known for their loud, politically-charged, and unapologetic sound. The four-piece group named themselves after the infamous landmark to honor Oscarville, Georgia, a thriving Black community destroyed by racial violence and later flooded to create the lake. They explicitly use their platform to confront systemic oppression and champion BIPOC empowerment within the alternative music scene. Their relentless energy has made them a staple of the underground DIY circuit, commanding stages from NYC's Punk Island to Pittsburgh's Skull Fest. Bringing their fierce resistance and raw old-school punk energy to QueerCore Fest, the band is set to deliver an absolutely unforgettable performance.
Trophy Hunt
Trophy Hunt are Northeastern genregrinders born from the Brooklyn hardcore and powerviolence scene. Screamo, black metal, and crust fed into a wood chipper along with anything else that gets in the way.
Daisy Chain
After winning our hearts over at the Drake in May, Albany's own Daisy Chain is returning to bring their raw, incandescent skramz to the stage for QueerCore Fest 2026. Fresh off the release of their EP Asteraceae, the band is set to deliver a performance defined by splintered emotion, where guitars crash and shimmer like collapsing glasswork and vocals are not sung so much as exorcised, howling confessions dragged through distortion and feedback,. Their unique sound trades traditional polish for a portrait of catharsis rendered in noise and nerve, making them the perfect addition to an event centering collective release. Do not miss this chance to experience a set that is guaranteed to be achingly beautiful unflinchingly vulnerable, and deeply cathartic.
Speaker: George Abraham (they/he/هو)
George Abraham (they/هو) is a Palestinian American poet, essayist, critic, performance artist. They are the author of When the Arab Apocalypse Comes to America (Haymarket, 2026) and Birthright (Button Poetry, 2020), which won the Arab American Book Award and was a Lambda Literary Award finalist. They are the Editor-at-Large of Mizna, and co-editor of HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE US: Palestinian Poetry (Haymarket, 2025) which was long-listed for the Palestine Book Award. They are a graduate of Northwestern’s Litowitz MFA+MA program, and teach at Amherst College as a Writer-in-Residence.
Saturday Lineup
DAMAG3
Brace yourselves as alternative hip-hop powerhouse and anti-establishment icon DAMAG3 returns to the East Coast, ready to ignite the QueerCore Fest stage with her raw, unapologetic flows and aggressive, genre-shattering beats that fearlessly rip the mask off the systemic brutalities that so many are unwilling to point at. Praised by millions of folks around the world, DAMAG3 transcends the stigma and limitations transgender women face in the music industry with her independent, self-managed success. Widely loved & narrowly hated for her unfiltered and direct lyrics, DAMAG3 has built her fanbase-ironically rather quickly-with her "one fan at a time" approach. DAMAG3 believes in 1:1 connections, and has built a community glued together by principles beyond the music. Her energy is electric, full of charisma & the lyrics are as poignant and thought-provoking as they are cutthroat and uncompromising.
Film & Gender
Everyone's favorite 2-piece DIY legends @film_and_gender are returning to QueerCore Fest to bring their beloved brand of brash, community-driven energy back to the stage! Inspired by the defiant spirit of ‘90s and early 2000s hip hop, Film and Gender unleashes a raw and unruly strain of 2 garage punk driven by bombastic rhythm and unapologetic social fury. Every Film and Gender show is a volley of energy passed back and forth between the band and the crowd—a shared pulse that drives the whole room. For the band, music isn’t just performance; it's something that is co-created by all who are sharing in that moment. It’s connection. It’s community. It's everything that they stand for… and everyone that they stand with.
K.O. Queen
Self-described as “fast hardcore punk songs by four Boston trannys”, K.O. Queen is a cathartically chaotic collision between grumpy, happy, sardonic and play, all sped up to the pace of your favorite tear away garment. K.O. Queen brings all the energy, every time, with every live show being an invitation to “dance, mosh, bring a friend, trans your gender, trans your dad’s gender and be merry!!”
Sapien Joyride
Hailing from Western MA, Sapien Joyride is a powerhouse three-piece Girl Rock band first joined forces at Hampshire College. Returning for their second year in a row, band members Georgia Walsh, Ivy Kovel, and Anais Richard are ready to bring their self-described "glam punk" sonic boom back to the QueerCore Fest stage! With a sonic palette that bridges the jagged post-punk of Gang of Four, the psychedelic jams of the Grateful Dead, and the fierce riot grrrl energy of Bikini Kill, Sapien Joyride delivers an unforgettable sound and while curating an exciting, inclusive and energetic musical experience for everyone in attendance.
ABBATIA
Bombast for days. Heart for eons. ABBATIA is an intense, unrelenting and ever-changing music project ripping through America’s northeast and beyond. Fronted by Jazz, Droogie, backed by Syd Solanke’s cutthroat production and vocals, and the relentless drumming of Peter Sukeena, ABBATIA shouts tortured poems through an unyielding sonic field. These multiple voices morph within and without each other, leaving in their anthems a dense, varied world to be yanked into.
Vomitdolls
Hailing from across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the powerhouse force of queer-made, anti-war powerviolence - Vomitdolls - is set to storm the stage at QueerCore Fest! Evolving from their roots as impasssioned DIY circuit regulars into a heavy-hitting force of "beatdown grindviolence," this crew delivers a high-intensity performance driven by deep political conviction, massive sonic weight, and an absolute surge of unstoppable live energy. Their music serves as an urgent, uncompromising vehicle for systemic confrontation and community empowerment, all while transforming every space they are a part of into a defiant protest of the war machine.
XK Scenario
Hailing from Falls Church, Virginia, XK Scenario incorporates meticulous technical instrumentation with the energy of OG hardcore D.C. punk music. Frontman Kaleab Elias’ unmatched intensity accompanied by the wild prog drumbeats of Ryan West are tied together with Alex Menick’s guitar artistry that can only be described as awe inspiring. XK’s prog-rock/hip-hop fusion performance will leave audiences with no choice but to chant XK’s name.
Palmslow
Providence-based band Palmslow is officially bringing their raw energy to the QueerCore Fest 2026 lineup. Creating music to hug your mom aggressively by, they build a chaotic yet comforting home for the misunderstood and anyone ever told they didn't fit in. Inspired by jazz, emo, grind, classic hardcore and classic rock, Guitar Hero 3, sparkle cords and a dash of N Sync or maybe the Spice Girls, their sound is the sound of your mom's blender losing its rubber feet after throwing all of these ingredients together and cranking it to high pulse! It's a sonic explosion designed to help you find your voice and fiercely defy every single box the world tries to put you in.
Carolyn Zaikowski (she/her)
Carolyn Zaikowski is a poet, fiction writer, essayist, activist and the current Poet Laureate of Easthampton, Massachusetts. She is the author of In a Dream, I Dance by Myself, and I Collapse (Civil Coping Mechanisms, 2016).
More details
EVENT DETAILS:
All ages event
Doors: Friday 6pm, Saturday 3pm
Performances: Friday 7pm, Saturday 4pm
Makers market hours: TBA soon!
Free admission to makers market
Sliding scale entrance fees for music performances
Wheelchair accessible space
On-site food truck
No food or alcohol indoors
N-95 masks are required as a means of radical community care and solidarity (available at the door)
ACCESSIBILITY:
The venue is wheelchair accessible. The accessible entrance is on the lefthand side of the building. Please notify us of any accessibility needs you have so we can support you.
FEST SPONSORS/PARTNERS
A huge thanks to our incredible partners and sponsors for their support and belief in this project, and all they've done to make this all possible. Not only are they a critical part of bringing this festival to life, but to nurturing and resourcing the vibrance and vitality of intersectional community throughout Western Massachusetts and beyond.
Ticket details
TICKET INFO:
2-Day and single-day tickets will be available at the door both days. If you don't see a ticket type available here on the website, it is because we have sold out of the pre-sales of that ticket type.
We are using the power of the collective and sliding scale ticket prices to increase accessibility by offering a limited number of reduced price general admission tickets for Saturday ONLY, which we are calling "Community Empowered Admission". These are offered on a first-come-first serve basis for $10/ticket. Please conscientiously consider how you can participate in this collective support of each other by self-selecting the ticket type and cost that meets your capacity at this moment, knowing that your participation is directly supporting the participation of others!
If a ticket fee is prohibitive for you, please message us so we can find a way for you to still attend!
Ticket pricing is as follows:
COMMUNITY EMPOWERED TICKETS
Limited quantity "Community Empowered" ticket for Saturday ONLY, at $10
EARLY BIRD TICKETS
Limited quantity "Early Bird" ticket special is our super discounted 2-Day ticket that is our way of saying thank you to those who are ready to jump right in with us before we even announce bands! Sliding scale starts at $25. Quantities are very limited. Once sold out, normal 2-Day advance tickets will be made available at $35.
ONE DAY TICKETS
FRIDAY Advance General Admission ticket, sliding scale, starting at $15
FRIDAY Day-of General Admission ticket, sliding scale, starting at $20
SATURDAY Advance General Admission ticket, sliding scale, starting at $25
SATURDAY Day-of General Admission ticket, sliding scale, starting at $30
TWO DAY TICKETS
2-DAY Limited quantity Early Bird ticket, sliding scale, starting at $25 until July 16th
2-DAY Advance General Admission ticket, sliding scale, starting at $35
2-DAY Day-of general admission ticket, sliding scale, starting at $40
Fest sponsors and partners
Yet Another Queer Pop-up Market
YaQPUM is a fledgling pop-up market centering 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC and emerging artisans and makers exploring their craft in Western MA. Their goal is to provide the additional support that folks have been looking for in preparing for a craft or maker market as a newbie.
UMass SALT
Students for Alternative Music (SALT) is a registered student organization of UMass Amherst. We have been hosting free shows on campus featuring local and touring bands for over a decade. We are proud to help foster a safe, accepting, and engaging live music culture on campus, with crowd donations going to the performers or various charitable organizations (such as TransHealth and the PCRF).
MHCALT (Mount Holyoke College ALT)
MHCALT's mission is to provide a community at Mount Holyoke for students who identify with alternative subcultures as well as involve the entire campus community in the core values of alternative music. We hope to encourage students to think outside the box and engage with music in the contexts of political rebellion, class struggle, and DIY ethic.
Cityspace
Cityspace is transforming Easthampton's historic town hall into a sustainable economic catalyst for a thriving Main Street. This project supports a healthy, vibrant community by fostering affordable and accessible arts for all in Western Massachusetts.
Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity
Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity is a non-profit organization established to steward the property at 130 Pine Street, in Florence, Massachusetts - a historic gathering place founded by abolitionists who championed anti-slavery, gender equity, and religious tolerance. Carrying these values forward, we serve our community as a venue for transformative arts experiences, spiritual growth, and challenging conversations.
Easthampton Cultural Council
The mission of the Easthampton Cultural Council is to distribute funds made available through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. This funding supports innovative and diverse cultural programs and activities dedicated to enhancing and guaranteeing public access to the arts and humanities within the community. The goal of the Easthampton Cultural Council is to raise awareness and provide outreach regarding the grant process and to encourage individuals, groups, and organizations to apply for funding of cultural activities that benefit and enrich the citizens of Easthampton.
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Mass Cultural Council advances the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector by celebrating traditions and talents, championing its collective needs, and equitably investing public resources. Mass Cultural Council receives an annual appropriation from the state Legislature and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and others. In turn, Mass Cultural Council makes thousands of grants directly to cultural organizations, schools, communities, and individuals artists, through funding programs that use arts, science, and the humanities to build strong, diverse, livable communities. The beneficiaries of these programs comprise a cross-section of the population and citizens in each Massachusetts city and town.
Silver Screen Designs
Since 1975 Silver Screen Design has helped colleges, businesses and organizations nationwide meet their promotional needs. They're a small company in a small town. Since starting out printing greeting cards and concert posters in 1975 they've put quality of life and relationships first. With Silver Screen Design you also get design support, promotional expertise, and, at no extra cost, the famous Silver Screen “can do” attitude. Every job comes with a dedicated project manager who will shepherd your job from design through delivery.
Daily Operation
Right in Easthampton, Daily Op has an ever evolving menu based what seasonal delights excite them at the moment. They make everything from scratch; no short cuts, no half steppin’. Daily Op likes bold flavors, classic takes, and unique combinations. From our favorite smash burger in the valley to their staple cabbage salad with roasted peanut coconut dressing to the BBQ tempeh grinder that is truly out of this world, Daily Op has something for everyone!
Vegan Pizza Land
Dubbed a "grassroots phenomenon" by the Boston Globe, Will Meyer's pandemic pizza hobby quickly became a side hustle. Vegan Pizza Land started guerrilla style out of Meyer's western Mass apartment with sourdough crust, home made cashew cheese and toppings dictated by what was in his farm share. The personal pizzas blend NY and Neapolitan influences. Each week, customers would order pizzas via Instagram until the demand was too much for the apartment's kitchen. The operation moved out into the world and popped up at breweries and restaurants, frequently selling out quickly. Today Vegan Pizza Land has a permanent location in their Airstream attached to the Abandoned Brewery beer garden!
Hope and Olive
Serving imaginative, globally inspired seasonal fare & the best cocktails in all of Franklin County in a warm, relaxed surrounding, Hope and Olive is a spot where you visit for the mouthwateringly creative food, and leave feeling a part of something special. Say one of the many glowing reviewers on Yelp: “Hope & Olive is absolutely the most charming restaurant with the most personable staff and tastiest farm fresh food in all of Western Massachusetts.” A gem tucked away in Greenfied, MA, this one is definitely worth the visit!
Manticore Printworks
Manticore Printworks is shaped by practical experience and a clear creative vision. They bring a deep understanding of what works - how to take a project from concept to something that holds up in the real world. Whether you're building a brand, launching a show, or making your first run of merch, the folks at Manticore will help you make something that lands.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
