Life is Shit

“Las Vegas’s longest-runny music festival,” Life is Shit Festival, will return for its 12th year, Saturday, Sept. 28 at The Dive Bar, 4110 S. Maryland Pkwy. The festival is expanding this year to add the “Shitkicker Kickoff” pre-party, featuring country/blues artists (and country karaoke after the bands), Friday, Sept. 27, at The Dive. Life is Shit Festival was founded in 2013 by members of the Las Vegas music community, as a free, DIY, locals-centric, punk/rock alternative to the corporate, mainstream Life is Beautiful Festival. However, Life is Shit quickly became a cultural institution of its own, and has been featured by The Washington Post, Las Vegas Weekly, KNPR 88.9 FM’s “State of Nevada,” KUNV 91.5 FM’s “Our Kind of Music,” and other media outlets. Despite its cheeky name and the humorless souls who decry it, Life is Shit makes life less shitty for some, serving as a fundraiser each year for local charity Girls Rock Vegas — a summer camp and after-school program which teaches adolescents in Las Vegas how to develop a positive self-image by playing rock music. Additionally, Life is Shit 2024 will mark the festival’s sixth year publishing the Life is Shit Zine, a physical zine available at the festival and online, featuring band interviews, writing, art and more. And as always, Life is Shit Festival will include artist booths, vendors, and food.