Big concert announcements often come coupled with long lead times. Lucky for us, that’s not the case for yesterday’s reveal that rap goddess and Little Rock native Kari Faux will be headlining this year’s 501 Fest, a free celebration of all things Central Arkansas with live music, vendors, food trucks and an inflatable laser tag course (!) that runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday in the SoMa neighborhood.
If you don’t yet know Faux — who last performed in Arkansas at Bentonville’s FORMAT Festival in September — she’s got a casual yet totally confident way of delivering lines that both invites and intimidates. In other words: If you’re on her team, hell yeah. If not, then watch out. Upon the release of her 2023 album, “Real B*tches Don’t Die!,” PopSugar put it like this: “Kari Faux raps and sings with the self-possession of the best friend who’s required to proofread any text message to a partner you know you need to break up with. She’ll ensure you’re not giving any extra energy to someone who isn’t worth it. Or will happily tell you to delete the messages altogether.”
The full lineup includes DJ Xavier Riley, P for Parker, SinClare, Bri Ailene, Emily Fenton, Piecemeal Pact, Jett Jano, and Q.G. The BlackKnight.
Another 501 Fest-adjacent activity to be on the lookout for: At noon, 9* artists — including Emily Moll Wood, Jessica Jones, Jose Hernandez, Layet Johnson, Mark Broadstone, Lisa Krannichfeld, Marianne Nolley, Perrion Hurd and Robin Tucker — will simultaneously paint the alley behind The Bagel Shop, and the public is encouraged to show up and watch for what’s being called MuralFest. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the alley is currently “covered with graffiti, some of it vulgar” and the event organizers hope that “putting art there will signal to others that the spot is taken.”
Reserve your ticket for 501 Fest here.
*A previous version of this story said that only 8 artists would be involved. Also, the names of each artist have been added since the story was originally published.
