Since the Pilot Light first kicked open its dark, nondescript door on May 22, 2000, the Old City nonprofit venue has been committed to a singular mission: providing “a place for new ideas.” Its goal was to hold space for new music and performance concepts to be presented without compromise, distraction or financial barriers.
Twenty-five years later, its mission continues and is manifest in What For?, a second annual free festival that takes place Thursday through Saturday this week. The 43-band lineup is mostly local, with some special guests such as Animal Collective’s Brian “Geologist” Weitz and Sleepy Doug Shaw (Gang Gang Dance / White Magic / High Life). The festivities kick off tonight with What For? logo silkscreen printing at 6 p.m. (BYOT-Shirt!) followed by a performance by Cattywampus Puppet Council’s hot pink community marching band Knox Honkers & Bangers at 7 p.m., followed by much much more.
“The name, What For?, is something I return to a lot,” says Pilot Light founder and executive director Jason Boardman. “Whenever something in the external is problematic or frustrating, it’s a reminder to keep my head down, ignore all that, and stay focused on why we’re doing this. What For? is a sort of three-day meditation, a reminder of why Pilot Light exists, and a chance to give something back to the town. Set up a big bunch of free shows during a busy festival weekend that can, in capsule form, give you a quick idea and feeling of what the Pilot Light is all about.”
That “why” – the “what for?” – is fundamental. Presenting “experimental or independent forms of artistic expression underrepresented in local culture and popular culture at large” is baked into the nonprofit’s bylaws. Of note is its parallel ethos to and former involvement with Big Ears, also taking place this weekend. The Pilot Light’s championing of the avant-garde predates Big Ears by 10 years and its influence on the festival was, and still is, felt. It was a venue for several years; Rolling Stone declared it “Best Room for Rock Shows” in its 2017 review.
Last year the Pilot Light demurred from Big Ears affiliation and created What For? in pursuit of creative autonomy and accessibility. The festival is totally free, highlighting a recurring theme for the Pilot Light, from freedom of expression to the frequent free community programming it produces.
Most of its employees – a better word is “volunteers” – also work for free, from the door to bartenders to sound technicians to Boardman himself. In the 25 years since he founded the Pilot Light, he hasn’t taken a salary. Maybe you’ve heard, or maybe you haven’t, that he’s stepping down at the end of this year. Check out Compass’ interview with him about it here.
In many ways, 2025 marks a pivotal year. As the Pilot Light celebrates its 25th anniversary as a venue and eighth as a nonprofit, it is doubling-down on its original mission and values while evolving to meet the changing needs of the community. Beyond this week’s festival, there are plans in the works to celebrate its quarter-century milestone including some TBA opportunities for community members to engage in support.
“I really want to leave the place at its strongest, for the next director to have the greatest chance of success,” Boardman says. “And also, it’s our 25th anniversary. Everything we do should be as exciting and thoughtful as possible. If we can increase awareness about the Pilot Light and its mission, that would be a great thing to make this year about.”
Thursday, March 27
6 PM: Bring a t-shirt to be silk-screened with the What For? logo!
7 PM: Knox Honkers & Bangers
7:45 PM: Escort Mission
8:15 PM: EvE
8:45 PM: Antadie
9:30 PM: Sleepy Doug Shaw
10:30 PM: Geologist
11:30 PM: New Romantics
Friday, March 28
12:15 PM: Nick Jernigan / Andrew McCoy duo
1 PM: Temporal Passages
1:45 PM: Logan Davis
2:30 PM: Rica Chicha
3:15 PM: Will Hicks
4 PM: Andrew Swafford
4:45 PM: Nuiscienta
5:30 PM: William Covert
6:15 PM: Paperwork
7 PM: VIP Ditchfork
7:45 PM: Weird Ian & the Restless Legs
8:30 PM: Cave Deco
9:15 PM: Bases2003
10 PM: UaD5
10:45 PM: Blunt Mansion
11:30 PM: Counterfeit Twenties
12:15 AM: J.BU$H
12:45 AM: Vibrator
Saturday, March 29
12:15 PM: Gyre Images
1 PM: Live Aural Coding with RandBrown
1:45 PM: Matt Nelson / Jake Smith / Hunter Deacon trio
2:30 PM: Calla Burke
3:15 PM: Crowmeat Bob/Aliyah Ultan Duo
4 PM: Very Very Hot Evil
4:45 PM: Nightjar
5:30 PM: Acquired Taste
6:15 PM: Tyrone Cotton
7:15 PM: Tellios
8 PM: Telefronetic
8:30 PM: Super Bachelor
9:15 PM: Serial Baby
10:30 PM: The Good Country Dark
11:15 PM: Hell Bop
12 AM: Glad I Didn’t Get My Stupid Wish
12:45 AM: Day & Age
The Pilot Light is located at 106 E. Jackson Avenue. Visit the Pilot Light website for more info or make a tax-deductible donation – the nonprofit venue’s existence depends on community support.