RIVAL ENTERTAINMENT INTRODUCES HIGHBALL – A FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE CURATED BY FUTUREBIRDS, OCTOBER 21 & 22
Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/26/23
The Two-Day Event Will Take Place at Pullman Yards and is Presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon, The Georgia Hemp Company, Código 1530 Tequila, and Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
After teasing that a new festival was on the horizon, Atlanta festival producer Rival Entertainment and Athens, Georgia rock juggernaut Futurebirds have announced full details on Highball – a festival experience at the historic Pullman Yards, October 21 and 22, 2023. Curated by Futurebirds, the inaugural two-day festival experience will feature notable artist performances, locally renowned food purveyors, and a distinctive live experience alongside the railroad tracks of Pullman Yards. Handpicked by the indie rock mainstays, the lineup will feature headliners Band of Horses and The Head and the Heart, preceded by daily sets by Futurebirds. Additional support will include performances by Wednesday; a special reunion by The Whigs; Seratones; S.G. Goodman; T. Hardy Morris, and Hotel Fiction. Highball represents a culmination of collaborative efforts two years in the making by Rival Entertainment and Futurebirds, which were drawn to the beauty of Pullman Yards’ historic setting.”It’s a wild wild dream to have the chance to help curate a festival bill, full of some of our favorite bands and best friends, in our home state, not far from where a handful of us grew up and experienced live music for the first time,” says Futurebirds’ guitarist and singer Carter King. “It’s a full-circle experience, and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity. The lineup is insane; the venue is gorgeous. I can’t wait to see y’all out there in October.”
Highball has partnered with Pabst Blue Ribbon, The Georgia Hemp Company, Código 1530 Tequila, and Bulleit Frontier Whiskey as the event’s presenting sponsors, which are activating along with other local vendors across the Pullman Yards grounds. “We are thrilled to welcome Highball to Pullman Yards. We have anxiously anticipated this event and look forward to working with Rival Entertainment and Futurebirds on the first festival. Come experience two great days of live music on the Pullman Yards grounds,” says Atomic Entertainment’s Maureen Meulen, owner and operator of the Pratt-Pullman Entertainment District.
Tickets for the inaugural Highball are on sale Thursday, June 29 at 12p EST at www.highball.live. Fans can purchase single-day and weekend advanced tickets at general admission and VIP levels. VIP includes private lounge access, pit viewing, and comfort amenities.
Highball Festival is produced by Rival Entertainment. Visit www.highball.live for the most up-to-date information.
Updated information:
Hosted by Futurebirds, the pre-party will feature two sets by Jerry Garcia Band Cover Band featuring Futurebirds and Bobby’s Shorts members. Two-day Highball VIP ticket purchasers will receive a complimentary ticket to this pre-party, along with an exclusive cocktail hour with members of Futurebirds prior to the show. Inaugural Highball screen printed posters signed by Futurebirds will be available for pick up during the cocktail hour.
We’ve handpicked some ATL favorites to provide delicious grub, including Grindhouse Killer Burgers, Mothers Best, and Roti Rolls- perfectly washed down with Creature Comforts Tropicalia or Bigger Dream IPAs—more food and beverages to be announced.
Highball will be debuting two new event areas of Pullman Yards- previously not experienced, with the stage set on the rail yard’s original transfer table. Guests will enjoy access to General Admission & VIP lounges within the newly renovated “Building 6,” a historic machine shop for The Pullman Company circa 1927. Also, The Georgia Hemp Company will be hosting a daily “High There, Highball” media meet-up featuring select items from their fantastic line, libations, and gift bags. Additional activations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Do a deep dive into Futurebirds’ curated lineup (all chosen because they inspired or have been inspired by the band), and there are a lot of angles to work with. Be it Charity Rose Thielen of The Head and The Heart given a behind-the-scenes look into the early days of the band in Seattle, Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell talking mental health on the road, or the constant tour grind of Hotel Fiction– there’s a lot to talk about. It will be a treat to experience them all in one place.
