Some people can’t deal with music festivals because they hate having to make the tough decisions of choosing between two or three bands that are playing at the same time.  We, however, over here at the Freak love making those decisions and running in between stages to hear several different bands within constrictive time slots. 80-35 will be no different. This Des Moines, Iowa festival, which takes place this Friday and Saturday (July 3 – 4) has a challenging schedule that’ll force you to make some hard choices but with our guide to seeing which bands and when, you’ll have a leg up. Check out the asterisked (*) bands: we’ve picked 3 Can’t Miss Bands for each day. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE (for one or both days).

Tilly and the Wall

FRIDAY – JULY 3RD

400PM – Tilly and the Wall* (Main Stage) – insanely danceable indie-pop from Omaha

545PM – Modern Skirts (East Stage) – pure and wonderful pop

615PM – The Autumn Project* (West Stage) – epic post-rock for the ages

645PM – Maps and Atlases (East Stage) – quirky, angular, and rhythmic pop

730PM – Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks (Main Stage) – solo outfit from legendary Pavement front man

845PM – House of Large Sizes (East Stage) – Iowa’s best ’90s guitar rock band

930PM – Public Enemy* (Main Stage) – Iconic politically-conscious hip-hop artists from the ’80s – ’90s

Broken Social Scene

SATURDAY – JULY 4TH

Noon – The Poison Control Center* (Main Stage) – Iowa’s best indie rock band

100PM – Baby Teeth (West Stage)* – irresistible glam-pop

200PM – Lunch

245PM – Audrye Sessions (East Stage) – San Francisco dream-rock

315PM – Man Man (Main Stage) – rhythmic assault, dancing shoes required

515PM – Cymbals Eat Guitars (West Stage) – ethereal, spacey rock

615PM – Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos (West Stage) – melodramatic ensemble of art-damaged punks

700PM – Broken Social Scene* (Main Stage) – still the best indie rock jam band

800PM - Brother Ali (East Stage) / The Envy Corps (West Stage) – start off with Brother Ali then mozie on over to Envy Corps

*CAN’T MISS BANDS*

Tilly and the Wall: Tilly’s records might sometimes be take-it or leave-it affairs but this group’s live energy and chutzpah is undeniable. No drummer, just a tap-dancer and big electronic beats. We’ve never been let down by the live show.

The Autumn Project: For lovers of everything Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky, the Autumn Project is a must-see act at 80-35. Subdued and almost reclusive when it comes to playing shows, it’s a treat to catch these folks whenever you can because when they do emerge from their cabin it’s a devastating sound, full of meditative valleys and thunderous peaks.

Public Enemy: These guys are just classic, having dropped some of the most essential albums in modern music. Chuck D, with his political-heavy lyricism remains relevant 20 years deep in the game while Flavor Flav, if not to be taken seriously, still knows how to throw a party.

The Poison Control Center: Catch ‘em while you can. This is probably Iowa’s best indie rock band, flexing both an ability to craft linchpin pop hooks and to dazzle audiences with searing guitar heroics.

Baby Teeth: Another underrated band from the depths of indie-land, these Chicago glam poppers, who draw influences from Queen and Bowie, have so much groove, so many riffs, and such incredible energy it’s almost astonishing that they are still sweeping the streets of the underground. For something unexpected and wholly entertaining and positive, check out Baby Teeth.

Broken Social Scene: This Canadian super-group that launched the careers of Emily Haines (Metric) and Feist is also a hotbed for endless and stunning guitar jamming. BSS loves them some grooves and interlocking guitar parts. Watching them is pure joy as they navigate through slippery melodies and air-tight jams.