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The fourth-annual LIS fest focuses on the Vegas scene

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Neon Reverb alum SadGirl headlines Saturday’s DIY festival at Dive Bar.
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As mainstream pop acts take over Las Vegas from Downtown to the Strip this weekend, the DIY crew behind Life Is Sh*t will stage its unique counterculture celebration for the fourth-straight year. “It’s really something for the rest of us to do … [those who] aren’t interested in mainstream pop culture,” says promoter Tsvetelina Stefanova of Bad Moon Booking. “It’s more about locals.”

Headliners for the September 23 Dive Bar gathering include lo-fi LA garage rockers SadGirl, Denver’s comedic future-synth duo Total Ghost and one-time Vegas punks Dangerboner—the latter bringing festival founder Jack Evan Johnson back to town (he’ll also perform solo). The locals-heavy roster also includes punk stalwarts The Quitters, garage-rock transplants Indigo Kidd and indie-pop outfit The Prettiest, plus once-Vegas-based singer-songwriter Chandelle. The fest will also feature two new interactive art components: a Life Is Sh*t coloring book and zine—with poetry and artwork by 19 local artists—and an “outhouse” open-mic stage, where attendees can play five-minute sets … while seated on a toilet.

Proceeds will go to Girls Rock Vegas, a summer camp and after-school program focused on achieving positive self-image through music. “I want people to know [Life Is Sh*t] is a positive thing,” Stefanova says. “Some people don’t really get the sense of humor, [but] it’s not meant to harbor any bad vibes. It’s grown, and I think it’s going to keep growing.” –

Life Is Sh*t September 23, 4 p.m., $5-$10 donation. Dive Bar, 702-586-3483.

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