The tunes of area musicians make up the backbone of Carbondale nightlife, and because of festivals like the Shiner SpringFest that tradition lives on. 

The annual music festival will take place Saturday at Hangar 9. Shiner Beer and Carbondale Main Street will sponsor the event, which blends area and outside musical acts, good beer and local craft and food vendors.

There will be six musical acts throughout the evening, scheduled on two stages —the outdoor main stage and the indoor stage. Southern Illinois favorite The Woodbox Gang will headline this year’s festival; other musical acts include The Mike Dillon Band, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops, Little Pizza, Arpetrio and The Heard.

The Mike Dillon Band begins the evening under the sun at 6 p.m. Led by percussionist, vibraphonist and vocalist Mike Dillon, the band produces a unique sound described as New Orleans punk rock.

Area musician Ryne Teston, known in the music world as the front man for Little Pizza, continues the night inside at 7:30 p.m. Little Pizza is an up-and-coming loop-based project that blends beatboxing, fingerstyle guitar, cello, banjo and various electronic instruments. The group also invites audience members up on stage to rap during performances. Teston’s unique style of play is a refreshing break from the musical norm.

“It’s exciting to be on the SpringFest bill being that we’re such a new group and we’ve played so few shows in Carbondale,” Teston said. “I’m confident we’ll add our own little unique element to opening this show.”

At 8 p.m. St., Louis-based reggae blues trio Aaron Kamm and the One Drops take their spot on the outdoor stage. The trio, led by guitarist/vocalist Aaron Kamm, often plays Carbondale and always packs Hangar 9 with their upbeat summertime vibe.

On the inside stage at 9:30 p.m., Knoxville, Tenn. natives Arpetrio bring its fusion of electronica, jazz and jam music to the strip.

Frontman Hugh DeNeal and the rest of the Woodbox Gang take the main stage outside at 10 p.m. The beloved sons of southern Illinois produce a sound that fuses American roots music such as bluegrass, delta blues, folk and traditional country with a punk rock delivery. Their unique blend of different styles and fiery lyrics is often referred to as Trashcan Americana.

SpringFest is The Woodbox Gang’s first gig at Hangar 9 in about six years and the band is treating it as a coming home show.

“We spent a few years on the road around the country in the early part of the millennium and when we mentioned Carbondale and music, The Hangar was what they knew,” DeNeal said. “At Hangar 9 it is a feeling that we are all in this together, as band and audience, that at this particular moment in time we are all experiencing an intensity of live performance.”

Chicago-based funk band, The Heard, closes out the night on the inside stage at midnight.

“Looking forward to seeing folks on the 12th,” DeNeal said. “Wear your drinking boots!”

Festival gates open at 5 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door. The event is for ages 19+ (unless accompanied by an adult).