Lyrically biting, politically raucous, and raw undefined energy, Torch the Hive is Mike Fruel, Tyler Sanders, and Sergio Apanco. Their first two releases touch on the struggles of growing pains, financial hardship and navigating through a politically divided world. After several self-funded national tours, group members were served with an unhealthy dose of reality when presented with issues of addiction and financial losses as a direct repercussion from the pandemic. As a witness to racial and systematic injustice, Torch the Hive gained a new perspective on which direction their music should take. ‘Flamingo’ serves as a proponent to challenge these opposing viewpoints and aims to allow the listener to form their own view.

Sweetie is a Chicago-based lipstick punk band with a femme fatale ferocity and a French attitude, thanks to frontwoman Birdy Vee, who blends her francophone background with her fervor for punk and drag.

Voted a Top 5 Punk Band in the Chicago Reader two years in a row, Sweetie commands the stage at punk and drag shows alike, including venues such as The Green Mill, The Egyptian Theatre, Reggie’s, Beat Kitchen, The Forge, Cobra Lounge, Last Rites, Liar’s Club, and Metro.

Their debut album, Bad Thing, Sweet Thing, was released in 2020, and is soon to be followed by their second album La Vie En Rouge, set for release in June 2025.

Festival appearances include Motoblot, War On Xmas, Elgin Pride and Hands Off Our Fest, organized by frontwoman Birdy Vee to showcase fellow femme-fronted bands.

The three-piece has shared the stage with touring acts such as The Lawrence Arms, Suzi Moon, The Soapgirls, Koffin Kats, The Dollyrots, Sorry Mom, Hayley and the Crushers, and Soraia.

In the past, Sweetie held a residency as the house band for T-Time at the Comedy Shrine, a queer comedy and drag variety show. They currently hold a residency as the house band for The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Egyptian Theater in DeKalb, IL. They have also collaborated extensively within the drag community, playing at Dragzilla, Nightcaps, and Witchorama.