Dallas Untapped Fest, otherwise known as Beers and Bands, returns to the Cedars November 1, and it will serve Cake this year — as well as The Polyphonic Spree, Cayucas, Deltron 3030 (the all-star assemblage featuring Del The Funky Homosapien, Kid Koala and Dan “The Automator” Nakamura), Jamestown Revival, METZ, Shovels & Ropes and other bands still on the to-be-announced list.
Untapped, now a Dallas Morning News spin-off, remains a Spune production, and its CEO, Matthew Harber, says this year’s fest will be bigger than its predecessors — as in, they’re adding a third stage outside Gilley’s on S. Lamar Street, which serves as HQ for the annual block party. Says Harber in this morning’s release, “Untapped was literally ‘brewed’ in Dallas, so we view this as our flagship. The Dallas event is going to highlight the continuing evolution of the Untapped brand as something that within the increasingly cluttered festival landscape is distinct and meaningful. As such, we expect to debut a larger footprint, add new amenities and are working on a few other surprises.”
And, sorry, but despite our new living arrangements, I honestly have no idea what that means. But there is this: There will also be more beer. As in: more than 200 from which to choose poured by 70-some-odd breweries whose names will be revealed a little closer to the drink-by date. (But you can probably guess a few, based on the Fort Worth menu from March.) Adds fest organizer Corey Pond, “Every year in Dallas we try to up the ante and improve over previous years.” So, seriously, plan ahead if you’re going the distance. (Sorry. So sorry.)
You can by tickets right now via Prekindle. The VIP ducats are going for $59 and include, among other benefits, early access, a few extra pours and “access to rare tappings.” Beer-and-concert tix run $36, while general admission, fend-for-yourselves run $30.
But, seriously. Deltron 3030.