Dog Days Fest (the best music festival there is).

By: Alyssa Bloom

Cover by: Carolyn Murphy

Hot, drunk, and blistered, I made my way into the mosh pit for The Osees. It was the end of the best weekend of the year: Dog Days Fest (DDF) in Savannah, Georgia. Kyle Brown, the creator and magician who puts the entire festival together, can be seen peeking out from behind the curtain of the main stage throughout the whole weekend, but I like to believe he was manifesting in the pit with me.

It was mine and Emma’s third year at DDF; consider us veterans for all intents and purposes. I have become a master at finding the perfect amount of tequila sodas (or a fancier and much happier cocktail from Starland Yard) to replace the likely gallons of sweat that I’m producing on a 95º day. 

Here are the biggest tips I can give anyone looking to go to Dog Days Fest next year: drink a lot, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare your butt to be shaking. Also sip some water… if you must…pussy.

The first day is filled with excitement as we await the fantastical additions Kyle has graciously given us via the Lucky Lemonade stage at Starland Yard. If you’ve never been to Savannah (first of all, go), then you may have no idea what Starland Yard is. Allow me to set the scene: A bunch of shipping containers create a border around a concrete-lined “yard” where a bar and three food stalls are housed, and, on a regular week, food trucks pull in. It may not sound as fabulous as it is… but trust me, there is nowhere better than the ‘Yard to get drunk as a skunk and listen to bands playing their hearts out. So, Emma and I walk in, nearing the end of Savannah local band Rosemary Nods Upon the Grave’s set on the mainstage. 

Entering and hearing the raucous screams of front-person Nat Lacuna is possibly the best welcome back that DDF could’ve offered us. They were absolutely ripping, and I managed to get chills even though the back of my neck was percolating with sweat. We got our wristbands and shuffled over to the bar where the sexy and awesome bartenders are slinging beers and cocktails like they were born to do it. We started our DDF weekend by downing as many “happy” cocktails as we could get our hands on and shaking rump to Winter. They have a way of describing possibly the most gut-wrenching times in our lives with glossy guitar riffs paired with a siren-like voice (listen to In My Basement Room from their most recent album Adult Romantix should you doubt me).

At the end of Winter’s set on the mainstage, the entire crowd ushers itself over to the side-stage (sponsored by Critz Auto), where local band Catzap!, redubbed Ratzap for the recent shows, began their cacophony of reverb and celestial guitar modulations. This is when Savannah’s funky and individualist nature begins to show itself. We’ve had at least three drinks by this point, so we can feel the bass thumping in our asses, begging us to dance and push someone next to us. If you’re feeling a little under the weather, doctors can confirm that chest-pounding bass is good for you! Catzap! Frontperson Park Laffkas is a catlike entity. No, literally; they have a tail and ears. It’s awesome. They took the stage accompanied by researchers in lab coats who were absotootly tearing it up. I was watching them mouth agape and having the time of my life. Ratzap gave a complete performance accompanied by asides about how PETA needs to “Get off their dick”. I was sad to see them end, but knew that headliners of the first evening, Upchuck and Sextile, were next. How exhilarating!!! I’ve downed at least 6 drinks now. I’m ready.

Sweat dripping down my back, and a smile on my face, we made our way back to the main stage where Atlanta-based band Upchuck was beginning their thundering set. I could probably do an entire write-up on Upchuck alone, so give you the rundown: they were amazing. I’ve never wanted to get in a moshpit and punch someone more than I did in that moment, but I was saving that for the last night. We pounded another drink, danced to Sextile, and made our rounds at the best bar on the planet, Moodrights, for the evening. I don’t remember the last time I was that drunk and sweaty… oh yes, I do… Dog Days Fest 2025.

The next morning, we threw up, got dressed, and did it all again. The standouts for day two’s daylight sets were Boise band Brand New Companion, Charlotte’s Motocrossed, and Chicago’s Sharp Pins. These bands could not be more different, hence the magic behind Kyle Brown’s booking skills. Somehow, they all mesh perfectly together to create the best weekend of sound. We sang along to some of Brand New Companion’s beautiful melodies, headbanged to the cowpunk screams of Motocrossed, and did whatever people did in the 60’s to Sharp Pins; All with a smile on our faces and drinks in our hands. I have to admit, a lot of those drinks in the beginning were water. We did throw up. As is custom. The best weekend of the year is not complete without saying hi to old friends, eating some food from one of the vendors (this year Emma chose a pulled pork sandwich, which revived her), and finally joining the pit.

Enter The Osees. They were Day Two’s headliner and one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live. I simply couldn’t help myself! If you’ve never listened to The Osees, I highly recommend it. They have two front drummers and are one of the loudest, most reckless bands I’ve ever heard. It’s impossible to look away and even more impossible not to shake what your mama gave ya. I entered the pit, in a skirt, mind you, and pushed some very sweaty men around. How fun! We drank another drink and made our way to the “late night” portion of the evening at Wormhole. This is where we discovered the local-ish band Lash Meat. 

Now, let me tell you something about Lash Meat: They kick ass. The drummer is screaming, the bassist is jumping, and guitarist Grey Rettit is ripping the shit out of her guitar. They had grey hair and a flannel shirt and were scaling the rafters. We couldn’t help but be groupies (as we have so rightfully been named in the past) and talk to them. Grey gave this young writer one of the best quotes she could’ve ever received. We said, “You rocked the shit out of this place,” to which they replied, “Yeah, I fucking hate [Wormhole] so I went crazy.” YES THEY DID! I wish I could insert a video of her rocking my face off, but I was so in awe I couldn’t get my phone out. After our faces were melted and we had spent too much money on merch and alcohol, we stumbled to Lone Wolf to end our DDF 2026 adventure. We drank some more, chatted it up, and even got rapped to by a kind gentleman on the street. Oh, Savannah, how I love you.

So there you have it. That’s the gist of Dog Days Fest 2026. Face melting (both by great music and the stifling heat), dancing, and getting absolutely hammered. It is the absolute best weekend in the best city. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. Kyle Brown has a way of making you feel like you’re from Savannah even if it’s your first time there. He blends punk with country, sprinkles some folk and hardcore in the mix, and works his magic to make it all work. As long as Dog Days continues, I will be hopping on a flight from LGA to SAV and spending all my money for a chance to experience the magic of those two sweet June days.