D.C. punks Ekko Astral, who we named one of the most exciting rising artists to watch this year, are throwing Liberation Weekend, a Washington, D.C. festival to benefit trans rights advocacy collective Gender Liberation Movement. The lineup includes Home is Where, Pinkshift, Perennial, L’Rain, Bartees Strange, Ted Leo, Speedy Ortiz, Downtown Boys, and more.
The shows are at Black Cat and DC9 on May 30 and 31, and tickets for Black Cat, DC9, and the locals-only stage are on sale now. There’s a discount code for those who purchase Black Cat tickets that can be applied to DC9 tickets upon purchase, too.
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“The reason we’re putting this event on is simple: artists of all genders and genres should stand in vocal support of the trans community,” Ekko Astral’s Jael Holzman says. “If you stand for freedom of expression, you support trans rights. If you believe in loving your neighbor, you support trans rights. Music is humanity’s most universal language — and we need our best artists to come together in support of our community now before it’s too late.”
Saturday includes a TRAИƧA showcase, and Red Hot’s Dust Reid says, “showing up to celebrate queer culture in moments of widespread grief is exactly what Red Hot has been doing since 1990. These TRAИƧA contributors remind us who we are and that art is where the truth of life remains, no matter what. It’s urgent to protect that.”
“I’ve been an out trans woman touring for over a decade, and this is the most precarious it’s ever felt to be making art in America in that time,” Speedy Ortiz’s Audrey Zee Whitesides says. “It’s always been a struggle against reactionaries and often against our own industry, but now we’ve reached a point when we can’t be left alone in that struggle anymore. Increased trans visibility has been beautiful, but events like Liberation Weekend are a chance for allies to do more than just see us — it’s time to stand together, make a lot of noise together, and raise some money for organizations putting in the real work.”
“As the old world dies and we struggle to rebirth it, there has never been a more crucial time to assemble in the name of liberation,” Ekko Astral’s Miri Tyler adds. “Liberation from the shackles of small-mindedness, from the cages of wage slavery, and from the threat of real-life violence. Freedom is an inherent human right, and until all people can taste it, it’s not real for anyone. Let’s prove the strength of our community and get there together.”
See the full lineup below.
Liberation Weekend 2025 lineup
Friday, May 30 6 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Combat
Home is Where
Perennial
Pinkshift
Pretty Bitter
Um, Jennifer?
Zora
A Secret Guest
DJs:
Le Camille
Midnight Ecstasy (hannah account B2B Elly Dj)
pet wife
Vanfleet
Saturday, May 31 2 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Asher White
Bartees Strange
Big Girl
Downtown Boys
Ekko Astral
Faith/Void
L’Rain
Pure Adult
Speedy Ortiz
Ted Leo
Vaelastrasz
DJs:
Clear Channel
DJ Horse Jeans
Eev Frances
Time Wharp
Saturday, May 31 Local Only Showcase at DC9
Pinky Lemon
Cherub Tree
Massie
Berra