Northside Festival 2014 will get Brooklyn Buzzing

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What better way to get summer started than a glorious week of music, movies, and booze?

This Thursday, June 12th, marks the opening of the sixth annual Northside Festival in New York City. The eight day long event, which is one of New York's largest discovery festivals, strives to showcase the latest crazes in music, film, and art.

The east coast equivalent of SxSW Fest, Northside Festival features performances by hundreds of bands, tons of movie screenings, conferences with speakers from major companies, networking events, trade shows, and an impressive array of venues, all within walking distance.

An expected 400 bands will be in attendance this year, including Chvrches, Animal Collective, The War on Drugs, Sharon Von Etten, and Beirut. Visitors can purchase music badges for $80, granting the owner access to every performance throughout the duration of the festival (on a first-come-first-served basis, of course).

Likewise, visitors can purchase film and innovation badges to attend special screenings and panels. All-access premium badges will also be available for a modest $315.

Don't worry---those who choose not to get badges can still attend shows. Tickets for individual performances will be available for purchase at the door and, in some cases, for advance sale.

There are a select number of free but ticketed shows playing in McCarren Park, which visitors will need to RSVP for.

Northside Festival will run from June 12th to the 19th, with headquarters at McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. For more information about prices, venues, and schedules, head over to Northside Fest's official website.