Festival Fever: Restoration Festival, 8/27-28/11

It goes by many names – Restoration Festival, Rest Fest, Restoration Funstival…

But whatever you call, you can bet that it’s gonna be a damn good time.

Last year’s inaugural Rest Fest was simply one of the best musical events of the 2010 Nippertown calendar, and this year, the folks at B3nson Recording Company – the organizers of the fest – have jacked up the excitement by corralling some top-flight indie bands to share the stage with another fine, fine selection of local bands.

So who are the big names at the second annual Rest Fest?

Acclaimed indie rockers Titus Andronicus, who played such prestigious fests as Coachella and Lollapalooza earlier this year

A Hawk and A Hacksaw, the musical project of Jeremy Barnes (Neutral Milk Hotel/Elephant 6) and Heather Troste, who rev up traditionally inspired Balkan-folk music featuring the accordion and violin

The Music Tapes, led by Julian Koster (Neutral Milk Hotel/Elephant 6), whose devotion to the singing saw has been touted by many as nearly religious

And the Providence-based indie-folk/alt-country group Deer Tick, led by singer/guitarist John J. McCauley III

The Rest Fest all takes place this weekend – on Saturday and Sunday, August 27 & 28 – at St. Joseph’s Church in Albany, a most appropriate setting, considering that 25 percent of the funds raised at the two-day event will benefit the Historic Albany Foundation and the Friends of St. Joe’s to help maintain and restore this historic building.

Here’s the complete schedule of performers for the main stage at Rest Fest 2011:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
1pm: Steer
1:45pm: Alta Mira
2:40pm: The Red Lions
3:35pm: Barons in the Attic
4:30pm: Scientific Maps
5:40pm: Railbird
7pm: Titus Andronicus
8:30pm: Deer Tick

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
1pm: Slender Shoulders
1:45pm: Stompin Jug Ramblers
2:40pm: Swamp Baby
3:35pm: We Are Jeneric
4:30pm: Matthew Carefully’s Undone Ensemble
5:40pm: Sgt. Dunbar & the Hobo Banned
7pm: A Hawk & a Hacksaw
8:30pm: The Music Tapes

In addition, in between the main stage bands, other musicians will be performing. Saturday’s line-up features Wandering Willow (1:30pm), Pinguinos (2:25pm), Patrick Porter (3:20pm), Mount Mole (4:15pm), Muddskipper (5:10pm), Colorful Tones (6:30pm) and Rawhead (8pm). Meanwhile, Sunday’s between-band schedule will include Nick Wallas (1:30pm), Ashley Pond (2:25pm), Littlefoot (3:20pm), the Rutting Season (4:15pm), Nursing Home Discoveries (5:10pm), the Warm Front (6:30pm) and the Boston Celtics (8pm).

Advance tix are available online for $20 per day or $30 for a two-day pass. Advance two-day passes are also available at the Palace Theatre box office and Last Vestige Music Shop. Tix at the door will be $30 per day and $40 for a two-day pass.

MORE FESTIVALS ON THE 2011 CALENDAR:

Bluestock Music Festival @ Hunter Mountain, Hunter, August 26-28
Everything Under the Sun Music & Arts Fest @ Noel Field, North Adams, August 27-28
Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival @ Corning Preserve’s Riverfront Park, Albany, September 10, FREE
LarkFest @ Lark Street, Albany, September 17, FREE
Jazz at the Lake: Lake George Jazz Weekend @ Shepard Park, Lake George, September 17-18, FREE
Hippiefest @ the Palace Theatre, Albany, October 13