Ekko Astral have announced Liberation Weekend II, a sequel to last year’s Washington DC festival benefitting Gender Liberation Movement and No More Dysphoria, a mutual aid organization that provides financial assistance to help trans people through their transitions.
“We cannot rely on institutions to save us. We can only rely on ourselves and the community we have to fight for trans America — and that now includes throwing a badass 3-day benefit music festival,” said Jael Holzman of Ekko Astral. “Let this incredible lineup be seen as a way of using art as a cultural battering ram against the people trying to erase us.”
“To be a recipient this year feels like a special honor, alongside Gender Liberation Movement, and I am so ecstatic to be able to perform with my band Hit Like a Girl,” said Nic Maroulis, founder of No More Dysphoria (and also a member of Hit Like a Girl). “What the Ekko Astral team and the DC community are doing here is really powerful, and I hope inspires more mobilization in other cities and communities.”
This year’s festival happens April 24-26 at The Black Cat with day parties and afterparties at Transmission. Passes are on sale.
Friday, April 24 is headlined by Laura Jane Grace with Snowing, Gladie, Spring Silver, thisdogllhunt, and Eevie Echoes & The Locations also playing.
Saturday, April 25 is headlined by Ekko Astral & Friends, with Pissed Jeans, Bambara, Ragana, MX LONELY, and Adult Human Females also performing. The day party has Crush Fund, Cryptid Summer, and more.
Sunday, April 26 is headlined by Illuminati Hotties (playing Free I.H.), with Ezra Furman, Pool Kids, Pom Pom Squad, Pretty Bitter, and Pinky Lemon also on the bill. The day party has Peach Rings, Hit Like A Girl, Jade Weapon and more.
Check out the full lineup posters for Liberation Weekend II below.
Meanwhile, Ekko Astral have also announced that their 4/25 performance at Liberation Weekend will be their last one with Miri Tyler. They write:
Dear friends,
We would like to disclose that Miri Tyler’s final performance with Ekko Astral will be on April 25 at Liberation Weekend. The performance will be a final commemoration of all we have written and recorded together, as well as a testament to her role in our community. A celebration for our sister.
Months ago, when we returned from an incredibly exhausting seven week tour with PUP and Jeff Rosenstock, Miri disclosed to us that she needed to step back from Ekko Astral. She told us this was to focus more fully and completely on her life at home, as well as her work in Pretty Bitter and her solo project — both of which have also taken off. This was hard to hear at first, because Miri has been pivotal to our music since helping us record our first EP QUARTZ. But we also completely understand her needs. We love Miri, we want whatever she believes is best, and we will always cherish the years we’ve spent together on and off stage.
We want to ask you to please take this announcement in good faith, with love in our hearts for our sister.
Ekko Astral isn’t going anywhere. And neither is Miri. We implore you to still support her in all of her musical endeavors. And we hope you join us at Liberation Weekend for a heroine’s farewell.
LIBERATION WEEKEND II
A FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER FOR TRANS LIBERATION & MUTUAL AID
At THE BLACK CAT & TRANSMISSION | WASHINGTON, DC
FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH-SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2026
FRIDAY APRIL 24TH:
MAIN STAGE @ BLACK CAT
Laura Jane Grace
Snowing
Gladie
Spring Silver
thisdogllhunt
Eevie Echoes & The Locations
AFTERPARTY @ TRANSMISSION
Artists TBA
SATURDAY APRIL 25TH:
MAIN STAGE @ BLACK CAT
Ekko Astral & Friends
Pissed Jeans
Bambara
Ragana
MX LONELY
Adult Human Females
DAY PARTY @ TRANSMISSION
Crush Fund
Cryptid Summer
Ultra Deluxe
Soul Meets Body
Ok Cuddle
Somebody’s Daughter
AFTERPARTY @ TRANSMISSION
Artists TBA
SUNDAY APRIL 26TH:
MAIN STAGE @ BLACK CAT
Illuminati Hotties plays FREE IH
Ezra Furman
Pool Kids
Pom Pom Squad
Pretty Bitter
Pinky Lemon
DAY PARTY @ TRANSMISSION
Peach Rings
Hit Like A Girl
Jade Weapon
Motocrossed
Latchkey Kids
Tripper