PHILADELPHIA, PA — Evil Genius Beer Company is bringing music and community together with a one-of-a-kind block party set for Saturday, August 2. The Fishtown-based brewery will shut down the 1700 block of N. Front Street for a six-hour live music showdown featuring student bands from six regional School of Rock chapters. The free event aims to raise funds and awareness for music education while giving young performers a platform to shine.
From noon to 6 p.m., bands from School of Rock locations in Philadelphia, Newtown, Hockessin, Deptford, Mainline, and Delco will compete in a Battle of the Bands judged by members of the local music industry. The top act will win two performance slots at Evil Genius, offering further exposure for their talent.
The event doubles as a fundraiser for School of Rock Philadelphia. Donations will be accepted on-site, and Evil Genius has pledged a portion of the day’s proceeds to support the organization’s programs. Local vendors will line the block, selling vinyl records, fashion, artwork, and comics in a festival-style atmosphere. Food, beer, and merchandise will be available for purchase throughout the day.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to get the local community involved and help support initiatives that are important to us, initiatives just like music education,” said Evil Genius Co-Founder Trevor Hayward. “There’s nothing better than enjoying live music with a cold beer, and the fact that we get to do so while helping rising artists across the region is the icing on the cake.”
The music doesn’t stop when the battle ends. At 8 p.m., the original School of Rock Philadelphia house band will open for South Jersey’s Tell All Your Friends, a high-energy five-piece known for channeling early 2000s emo and alternative rock. Their closing set will include covers of My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, and Paramore, along with genre-spanning crowd favorites from Queen to Kelly Clarkson.
Founded in 2011 by friends Trevor Hayward and Luke Bowen, Evil Genius Beer Company has built a strong regional following with its irreverent branding and serious approach to brewing. Known for popular beers like “Stacy’s Mom,” the company now distributes across seven states and continues to find creative ways to blend culture, community, and craft.
All performances are free to attend and open to all ages. Guests are encouraged to bring their passion for music—and their wallets—to support student musicians and local businesses.
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