Big Bullet Records will be holding its First Annual Big Bullet Fest next weekend, April 21 through 23 in Shepherdstown. The three-festival will showcase several Big Bullet Records artists as well as many other bands from all over the east coast.

Tucker Riggleman, a recent Shepherd University graduate and Big Bullet Records founder, decided to hold the event as a way to get more individuals interested in local and independent bands and artists.

“I initially created the label back in 2008 during finals week. I wanted local bands to have access to a non-traditional label and have a means to promote themselves and book shows outside of town,” Riggleman said.

All local bands now have a way to combine resources and record music and play larger shows together through Big Bullet Records. Riggleman is also a manager at The Blue Moon where he is in charge of booking shows and entertainment, which also enables him to utilize the venue for such events, like Big Bullet Fest.

“(Big Bullet Fest) will be a great way for all of the bands to come together and get people in town excited about the music,” Riggleman said.

The event kicks off Thursday, April 21 at The Blue Moon Saloon, 200 E. High St., at 9 p.m. where artists like Bitch Cave and Matt Kline, formerly of The Fox Hunt, as well as others will perform.

Friday, April 22 the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at a private residence in Shepherdstown. Bands will include The Okay Win, White Wives and The Demon Beat, among others.

The festival will conclude Saturday, April 23 again at The Blue Moon Saloon at 9 p.m. with performances by Jason Kutchma, Greg Loftus and Prison Book Club. Admission for each night is $5 at the door and all proceeds will go to the bands performing.

For more information about the upcoming events and locations or Big Bullet Records,visit the label’s website at www.bigbulletrecords. com.