The Atlanta Music Guide's Guide to Music Midtown 2004:
Compiled By: Angeline Vuong & Sara Minton

The 99X Local's Only Stage is a must-see for music fans who want to experience some of Atlanta's best up and coming acts, and with the new "Instant Live" feature, music fans will be able to purchase a CD of several local band performances at the festival.

Bain Mattox [www.bainmattox.com]
Mattox was named Creative Loafing's "Best Singer/Songwriter" of 2003.The Athens-based musician and his band have gained a steady following throughout the Southeast, and he's known to draw a big crowd whenever he plays around town.The band's live show blends interesting instruments such as the saw, accordian, and banjo into pop/rock tunes.

Crazy Anglos [www.crazyanglos.com]
The Marietta, GA based group draws its influences from rock, reggae, hip hop, punk, and many more genres. They've already frequented local venues like The Masquerade and Vinyl-- now they're ready to take on Music Midtown.

Five Eight [www.fiveeight.com]
This popular Athens based band has been around for 15 years. Their latest album, "The Good Nurse" hit #16 on the CMJ charts, and the band has toured with artists such as The Ramones and R.E.M.

Heavy MoJo [www.heavymojomusic.com]
The seven piece hip hop group earned a spot on the Locals Only stage by winning the 2004 99X/Miller Lite Band Competition. Lately, they've been frequenting Atlanta's popular local venues, and they're ready to bring their eclectic music to the masses.

Ishues [www.atticasound.com]
Ishues is one of the few non-rock acts on the Locals Only stage this year. The Atlanta MC's debut album, Reality Flow , depicts the story of his life through his skillful rhymes.

Minus.Driver [www.minusdriver.com]
Minus.Driver once appeared on the now-defunct USA music program Farmclub and was a featured band on Napster.Com. This rock group, who used to be named [minus], have an EP out on Republic/Universal Records entitled, "A Message For You."

Red Letter Agent [www.redletteragent.com]
This Atlanta band blends brit rock and other influences to create their own unique sound. Jay Harren, music director for 99X, says the band's "smart hooks, intelligent lyrics, and amazing vocals set Red Letter Agent apart from your everyday rock band. This is the band to watch break out of obscurity and into the limelight."

Second Shift [www.secondshiftmusic.com]
The band's high energy live show, along with the stage antics of frontman Jonathan Baker, not only earned Second Shift a spot on the Music Midtown Locals Only stage, but also a recent opening slot for the sold out Aussie Invasion tour (The Vines/Jet/The Living End). It's also not uncommon to hear their song "Bethany" on 99X's Sunday School.

slowEARTH [www.slowearth.com]
slowEARTH swept the "Best Artist" category 3 years in a row at the former Atlanta Local Music Awards. The band fuses a mix of electronica and rock to create a sound that the AJC calls an "update [on] synth-pop with modern rock and dance music idioms for the new milennium."

Steadlur
The Mableton, GA based band draws their influences from varying artists like REO Speedwagon, Brand New, and Wakefield. The band is currently in the studio working on their upcoming record with former Injected guitarist Jade Lemons.

The Swear [www.theswear.com]
The band formerly known as Alastor has been rocking Atlanta for several years churning out the rock songs of lead singer/guitarist Elizabeth Elkins. The Swear have drawn comparisons from artists such as The Pixies, PJ Harvey, and The Distillers. The band's song "Deception Bay" won the rock category for this year's John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

The Tom Collins [www.thetomcollins.com]
Formed in 1997, the Atlanta band has been playing the local club circuit for a while. The rock group draws strong influences from Led Zepplin and continues to rock venues in Atlanta.

The Whigs [www.whigs.net]
UGA students The Whigs have been taking on the Atlanta music scene since they became the grand prize winners of 2003's Open Mic Madness. The event secured them a slot on the Rock Boat, along with the chance to play with bands like Sister Hazel and Tonic, but The Whigs' brand of catchy rock sets them apart from the aforementioned artists.

To Whom it Concerns [www.towhomlive.com]
To Whom it Concerns were the winners of last summer's Miller Lite/99X Band Search. After playing shows at the Big Rock and the Atlantis Music Conference, they'll be bringing their combination of rock, funk, and jazz to the Locals Only stage this year.

Also, we recommend the following non-"Locals Only" performers:

Friday - Ludacris
Saturday- Damien Rice, Angie Stone, The Strokes, Fountains of Wayne, Foo Fighters, Big Boi (of Outkast)
Sunday- Gary Jules, The Fire Theft, Switchfoot, Gavin DeGraw