Boomslang is a three-day multi-venue music and art festival in Lexington, Ky. Brought to you by
WRFL 88.1 – Radio free Lexington – it is a celebration of visionary, experimental, genre-bending
music and media of the highest caliber, as well as a showcase of Lexington’s unique venues and culture.
In the spirit of independent media, the line-up includes local up-and comers, regional favorites and
international legends – artists who have been critically acclaimed for their innovation, but have
somehow fallen (or hidden) beneath the mainstream shuffle.

In addition to music, the weekend will feature workshops, sideshow acts, bike events, art exhibits and a circus-themed fashion show.

(Boomslang is also a highly venomous African tree snake, but we don’t think you should bother yourself to much with thinking about.)

What is WRFL?
We can talk about it all day, but we recommend you experience it for yourself, here: wrfl.fm.
Since 1988, Radio Free Lexington has been a commercial-free radio station on the University of Kentucky campus. The station has been run continuously by students without automation for the past 21 years, and broadcasts LIVE, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our programming is widely inclusive and covers almost every genre of music – at any given hour, you may hear jazz, bluegrass, experimental noise, psychedelic rock, Latino dance music, RPM, indie, Indian, or – more often than not – something in between.
In addition to providing quality, commercial-free music programming, we provide the community with a number of other services, including independent news programming (Democracy Now), public service announcements, accessible disc jockeys (call 859-257-WRFL to talk to us, at any hour!) and a number of affordable concerts throughout the year.
While the majority of our all-volunteer DJ staff are students, many of our longest running shows are the work of community members unaffiliated with the university. As the university provides the station’s primary source of funding, RFL’s primary commitment is to the university community, though we aspire to provide alternative music to a much broader audience.
With the exception of a few modestly compensated directorships, our operation is entirely volunteer run. We believe that the best programming is the result of DJ autonomy, so all playlists are DJ generated, a rarity in a world dominated by the demographic research based programming of corporate radio. If you tune in and don’t like what you hear, try again in a few hours and you’ll here something completely different.
WRFL knows that revolutions don’t happen between commercial breaks, which is why we recommend keeping it tuned All The Way To The Left – all the time!

Who are the bands?
For a complete list, click “Artists Performing” on the menu link to the right.
The line-up was meticulously handpicked by WRFL DJs of varying influences, with the intention of highlighting artists who have been acclaimed for their vision and innovation but have remained under the mainstream radar. The line-up includes many of artists who have been highly celebrated by musicians and music critics across the world for decades – including FAUST, godfathers of German krautrock; OS MUTANTES, impresarios of the 1960s Brazilian tropicalia movement; and MISSION OF BURMA, legendary leaders of America’s underground, avant-punk-inspired movement, who rock as hard or harder today than they did in the ‘80s – we have thrown in some up-and-comings who we think the music world will continue to note and remember for years to come.
We are also humbled to include an amazing array of Kentucky talent – RACHEL GRIMES, whose solo piano collection is as inspired by classical as avant-garde; original Slint guitarist David Pajo performing his gorgeous guitar & vocal explorations as PAPA M; UK’s own modern composition ensemble SOUND/VISION; Lexington’s leading soldiers of drone EVERYONE LIVES EVERYONE WINS; and acts including former WRFL DJs, OFFTHESKY, CROSS and CABOLADIES, and many more.

Oh, sounds rad, how do I get tickets?
Day passes and weekend passes are available on this very website in advance, and also at the Buster’s Box Office and at Ear-X-Tacy in Louisville. STUDENT DISCOUNTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE, but you can get them at the Student Center Box Office and the Buster’s ticket box office!

Day of Show: You can purchase Day Tickets or Weekend Passes at Buster’s box office, located at 899 Manchester St in Lexington! They are typically open at 5 p.m. every day.

Who can attend Boomslang?
Boomslang offers events for everyone in the community! Seriously – everyone, including YOU.
While all of the shows at our primary presenting venue, Buster’s, are 18+, many of our other venues (CD Central, Hop Hop, Natasha’s, The Void, J. Allen) are all ages, and many of our events (especially the Art Bazaar at Buster’s parking lot!) are intentionally family- friendly.
If you have any specific questions about any events, please review our event descriptions page, or e-mail us directly- boomslangfest@gmail.com. (We are not robots; a real human will respond in as timely a manner as possible.)
That said, in emphasizing the unmatchable experience of intimate club shows, weekend tickets are LIMITED to 1,000 – with the exception of Buster’s, most venues have a capacity of less than 300.

How do I contact Boomslang with my burning questions?
e-mail us at boomslangfest@gmail.com; (messaging us on Facebook is not recommended)!

Transportation?
BIKES ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED! Some of the venues are within walking distance, but many are 1-3 miles apart. All are easily bikeable! If you are coming in from out of town – strap your bike on the car if you can! If not, cars are a worthy option – maps will be included in the programs!

Accommodations?
Hotels are going fast, because Keeneland horse races start that same weekend. University Inn had a few rooms left last we checked – they have told us they will give a discount if you mention Boomslang Festival, so be sure to ask about that! You can find other hotels in the general vicinity listed here.

Also, there are over 100 Lexingtonians registered on couchsurfing.com. If you’re into that sort of thing. Just sayin’.

Where do you recommend I should stuff my face in Lexington?
Some of our favorite restaurants are the ones listed on the Friends of Boomslang page, under hospitality. Downtown Lexington Corporation is another great resource.