4th Annual Albuquerque Hopfest music lineup is in process, stay tuned.  This year we will have 6 bands on 3 stages.  Come for the beer, stay for the music!
The Real Matt Jones is a singer/songwriter that looks to the idiosyncrasies in life and magnifies them to the point where listeners say, “Oh yeah, I can see that.” Matt is originally from Albuquerque, NM and consistently tours in areas all over the western United States (NM, TX, AZ, CO, CA, WA) and in Canada. He would like his brand of light-hearted pop/rock to be challenging yet palatable in the ears of his listeners, and for them to be able to whistle his tunes the rest of the day.

The emphasis in Matt’s music is on songwriting, vocal ability, and rhythmic nuances. While Matt’s songs are resoundingly pop-oriented, he likes to entice listeners with interesting arrangements and subject matter. These elements tie together to make music that has great replay value, and is easy to remember.

Don’t let their young age fool you, Asper Kourt turns out tunes and draws in fans with the experience of any seasoned indie act. Call us scene teens, but we’re just suckers for a garage band story, and Asper Kourt serves up exactly that. High school pals Kevin Herig, Nate Boitano and Heath Warren started up in a garage on a street called Asper Court, which would later become the band’s namesake. What initially started as afternoon jam sessions soon grew into strong and passionate musicians recognizing talents in each other. Bassist Mat Beston and piano-playing Kurt Sorenson sealed Asper Kourt’s lineup and laid back sound.

Asper Kourt serves up a lyrically poignant, sometimes folksy mix of pop and rock with a piano pop flare that lends itself to the easy-going charisma the band has cultivated for itself. It seems people are taking notice, being crowned champion of UNM’s “Battle of the Bands”, named Albuquerque the Magazine’s “Best Local Band Headed for Stardom” and even being one of 3 finalists considered by the Goo Goo Dolls for the Subway “Fresh Artists” Competition on OurStage.

** Received 1st Place in Ourstage's 'Subway Fresh Artist Contest' to open for the Goo Goo Dolls - Oct. 2010

** Selected by American Airlines to have 'Firefly' played on all their flights in Dec. 2010 and Jan. & Feb. 2011.

** Selected by Delta Airlines to have 'Take Me' played on all their flights in Jan. & Feb. of 2010.

** 2009 Best Local Band Headed for Stardom - Albuquerque the Magazine

** 2009 Song Joust National Battle of the Bands Winner - Song Joust Records

** 2009 UNM Battle of the Bands Winner - University of New Mexico

"The songs collected in Infamy, Denae’s first full-length album, vary in styles, tempos and degrees of complexity..."

By Gabe Gomez

Diminished Fifth

Gabe Gomez is a writer, radio show host & deputy director for the department of superfluous hyperbole (Southwest Office).


Denae’s agile voice has neo-soul inflections that gingerly lead his melodies; what it lacks in low-end warmth, Denae makes up in self-assured delivery. Rather than singing above the groove, his vocals involve themselves deeply inside the music to create a peculiar blend of country/folk candor with cosmopolitan savvy.  

Perhaps there are hints of a Stevie Wonder/Al Green coalition walking through a staccato cadence—a style popularized among the ashes of pop ska that evolved into the beach-stoner platitudes of Jack Johnson and his range-less sort. Left unchecked you have Jason Mraz. Under Denae’s direction, a backlog of rhythm & blues and soul appears—sticks and jabs—with a compendium of raw and unrepentant experiences carefully spun to music. 

"The Noms are an acoustic pop band from Albuquerque, NM. Since their inception in the Spring of 2009, the group has left audiences of all ages wide-eyed and grinning from their feel-good, inventive songs and their comfortable and interactive stage presence. These musicians make a stimulating (and surprisingly balanced) sound from their unique mix of voice, guitar, piano, and diverse percussion, drawing on influences such as Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Michelle Branch, John Frusciante, The Fray, Raul Midón, and even a cappella and choral experiences. A key trait is their forefront of three vocal powerhouses. These singers easily identify with their own developed solo styles yet frequently explore gutsy, three-part harmonies - a combination of contrast and unity that gives this band a distinct expressive mark.

The college-age group has rapidly gained popularity around the UNM campus after performing for multiple campus events and winning the 2009 Make a Wish Foundation Battle of the Bands and the 2010 UNM Battle of the Bands. Their first EP, “Choices,” released in April of 2010 with exceptional reviews."
Retro funk. Latin grooves. Dance-floor rock. Inspired equally by deep funk, the pulse of afro-Latin rhythms and the aural kinesthetics of rock 'n' Roll, Felonious Groove Foundation has earned a loyal following as the Southwest's premier concert band.
Genres: Folk / Funk / World Rock



Cali Shaw was born out of the belly of the Mission District in the city by the bay in 1979. After traveling much of the world with gypsy's, he found himself in the land of enchantment surrounded by many talented musicians. In 1999, Cali Shaw co-founded Felonious Groove Foundation with good friend Todd Eric Lovato. They went on to record several albums with FGF and their latest side project Fantastic Planet. Recently, Cali Shaw collaborated with Tuman Productions in writing the song "Radio" from the 2010 release "Radio Alchemist". Cali Shaw is currently in the studio working on his first full length solo album due out spring 2011. This site showcases the songs Cali Shaw has written, recorded and produced over the past 10 years.
Alternative Folk-Rock that isn't afraid to have a little country twang. Lyrics wrapped in creative word schemes that dig into the head and heartstrings of every man.