YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – This year’s Federal Frenzy rock festival will feature hip-hop artist Armani White as the headliner and 22 other bands, including Kid Mammoth, Marcus Smith and the Rapscallions and The Sweet Spot.

The free event will take place Saturday, April 18, on West Federal Street, downtown. The street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Vindicator Square to Central Square.

Music will alternate on two large outdoor stages, with the Main Stage in front of the Draught House and The Summit Stage in front of the West 34 restaurant. It’s the same footprint as last year, except the stages are switching sides.

Three bars along the West Federal corridor will also host live music: Twisted Roots, The Varsity Club and V2.

Armani White will perform from 10-10:45 p.m. on the Main Stage. The Philadelphia artist became known for his song “Billie Eilish,” which became a viral hit. He actually made a surprise performance with Eilish at a festival in Montreal in 2023.

Federal Frenzy had tried to book White in 2020, but that year’s event was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Carolyn Jesko, assistant director of programming at Youngstown State University’s Office of Student Affairs.

When the talent committee at Penguin Productions – the volunteer student group at YSU that presents the festival – noted that he was again available for booking this year, they signed him.

The rapper has grown in popularity over the past six years, Jesko said.

Approximately 130 bands applied to Federal Frenzy this year.

“That was the most ever,” Jesko said. Most were from the Mahoning Valley and the surrounding area, as well as Akron, Columbus and Cleveland.

“A band from Brazil applied this year,” Jesko said. “That was a first. There were also a couple from Texas and other places.”

Some bands that had played the event in the past applied, but the committee gave priority to newcomers, she said.

One repeating band is Akron’s The Sweet Spot, which played the fest several years ago when it was called Indre.

The band, led by singer Maddie Indre, was forced to play in a downpour that year, which meant only a few people heard most of its set.

“They played great even though it was raining,” Jesko said.

One of the main acts, Kid Mammoth, might be a new name for local rock fans, but the band has some well-known members.

Kid Mammoth is Dean Anshutz (drums) and Eric Hall (guitar) of Red Wanting Blue and Kerry Henderson, formerly of the Floorwalkers.

Kid Mammoth has an indie rock style that does not call to mind RWB. It has posted several of its songs on Spotify.

Also in the lineup is Doomsday Darling, a Youngstown-based act that earned its spot by winning the Federal Frenzy Faceoff competition at Westside Bowl a couple months ago.

The festival will also include a vendors marketplace, featuring regulars from Youngstown Flea.

All downtown restaurants and bars will be open and serving food and drinks. Two food trucks will be at the festival, Jesko said, but “the main effort will be to drive people into the restaurants.”

The city’s Dora (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) will be in effect for the festival, Jesko said, which means attendees who purchase an alcoholic drink at one of the bars can walk outside with it to watch bands.

Members of Penguin Productions will conduct interviews of band members inside the Draught House during the festival. Attendees can stop and listen to the interviews, which will become part of the Penguin Productions podcast.

A Federal Frenzy warm-up show will take place Friday evening at Penguin City Brewing, featuring the band No Funk No Justice.

Here is the schedule of band performances at Federal Frenzy:

Main Stage (West Federal Street, near the Draught House)

  • 2:30-3 p.m.: Doomsday Darling.
  • 3:30-4 p.m.: Largemouth Brass Band.
  • 4:30-5 p.m.: TJDUB.
  • 5:30-6 p.m.: Singled Out.
  • 6:30-7 p.m.: S.Y.S.
  • 7:30-8 p.m.: Frida and The Mann.
  • 8:45-9:30 p.m.: Marcus Smith and The Rapscallions.
  • 10-10:45 p.m.: Armani White.

Summit FM Stage (West Federal Street, near West 34)

  • 3-3:30 p.m.: 48th Drive.
  • 4-4:30 p.m.: Cassette Confidential.
  • 5-5:30 p.m.: Mo Turk.
  • 6-6:30 p.m.: Fruitfly.
  • 7-7:30 p.m.: The Sweet Spot.
  • 8-8:45 p.m.: Kid Mammoth.

Twisted Roots Stage (34 N. Phelps St.)

  • 3-4 p.m.: Krypto. Divine.
  • 5-6 p.m.: Empty Kodiak.
  • 7-8 p.m.: Joey Aich.

Varsity Club Stage (131 W. Commerce St.)

  • 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Humbles County.
  • 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Brake Fluid.
  • 6:30-7:15 p.m.: Paris Stephan.

V2 Stage (100 W. Federal St.)

  • 2:45-3:45 p.m.: Three of Clubs.
  • 4:15-5:15 p.m.: Lydia Shae.
  • 5:45-6:45 p.m.: Janelle Li’El.

Pictured at top: The crowd at last year’s Federal Frenzy. (Photo by Sarina Maharjan)