12th Annual Federal Frenzy Music & Arts Festival downtown this weekend

Youngstown State University’s Penguin Productions and the City of Youngstown announce more details concerning the 12th Annual Federal Frenzy Music & Arts Festival, set to take place, 2-11 p.m., Saturday, April 18, in downtown Youngstown along West Federal Street, Phelps Street and Hazel Street.

Federal Frenzy is free and open to the public and features over 20 performances across multiple stages, including YSU student bands and YSU alumni artists. Attendees can enjoy live music spanning a wide variety of genres, including pop, R&B, indie, rock and hip hop. There will be engaging activities, food trucks and local vendors throughout the day.

This year’s headliner, Armani White, is a Philadelphia-based rapper, popularly known for his hit song “BILLE EILISH.” He performed the song alongside Bille Eilish in 2023; the song has charted No.58 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

There will be two outdoors stages, the Main Stage and The Summit FM Stage both along W Federal Street. Performances will also take place indoors at The Varsity Club, Twisted Roots and V2.

MUSIC SCHEDULE

YSU PenPro Main Stage | Outdoor Stage near 219 W Federal Street, Youngstown, OH 44503

2:30-3 p.m. | Doomsday Darling
3:30-4 p.m. | Largemouth Brass Band
4:30-5 p.m. | TJDUB
5:30-6 p.m. | Singled Out
6:30-7 p.m. | S.Y.S.
7:30-8 p.m. | Frida and The Mann
8:45-9:30 p.m. | Marcus Smith & The Rapscallions
10 -10:45 p.m. | Armani White
 

The Summit FM Stage | Outdoor Stage near 34 W Federal Street, Youngstown, OH 44503

3 - 3:30 p.m. | 48th Drive
4 - 4:30 p.m. | Cassette Confidential
5 - 5:30 p.m. | Mo Turk
6 - 6:30 p.m. | Fruitfly
7 - 7:30 p.m. | The Sweet Spot
8 - 8:45 p.m. | Kid Mammoth
 

Twisted Roots Stage | 34 N Phelps Street, Youngstown, OH 44503

3 - 4 p.m. | Krypto. Divine
5 - 6 p.m. | Empty Kodiak
7 - 8 p.m. | Joey Aich
 

The Varsity Club Stage | 131 W Commerce Street, Youngstown, OH 44503

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Humbles County
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Brake Fluid
6:30 - 7:15 p.m. | PARiS STEPHAN
 

V2 Stage | 100 W Federal Street, Youngstown, OH 44503

2:45 - 3:45 p.m. | Three of Clubs 
4:15 - 5:15 p.m. | Lydia Shae
5:45 - 6:45 p.m. | Janelle Li’El
 

ACTIVITIES + ART

YSU Student Organizations

• Black History Trivia YSU Black Student Union
• Brain Games & Bracelet Making Youngstown Association of Student School Psychology (YASSP)
• Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet Bar Zeta Tau Alpha
• Community Drum Circle Youngstown Percussion Collective x Hootenanny Vintage Guitars
• Cup Pong Games L.E.A.D. (Leaders of Equality, Accessibility and Diversity)
• Decorate Your Own Flag YSUnity
• Fencing Duels YSU Fencing Club
• Grilled Cheese with SAEs Sigma Alpha Epsilon x The Alternative Food Truck
• Group Poetry YSU Poetry Club
• Painting with RHA YSU Residential Housing Association (RHA)
• Screen Printing in Action YSU Student Art Association x Draught House
• Sparkle Station: Glitter Tattoos YSU Student Government Association
• Wrongful Convictions: Myth or Fact? Ohio Innocence Project Chapter of YSU YSU Offices + Departments
• Art in the Mills Community Mural Youngstown Steel Museum (Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor)
• Button Making Station YSU Office of Admissions
• Customize Federal Frenzy Totes YSU Department of Art x Draught House
• DIY Craft Corner YSU First Year Student Services
• PenPro Merch Market + Info Tent YSU Penguin Productions
• Polaroid Photobooth YSU Division of Experiential Learning & Engagement
• Varsity Vibes: Temporary Pete Tattoos with Student-Athletes YSU Athletics x The Varsity Club

Community Organizations

• Free Tours OH WOW! Science Center 2:00-5:00 p.m.
• Limited Edition Sticker Vending Machine Economic Action Group
• Nonpartisan Voter Info + Registration Hub League of Women Voters x Avalon Downtown
• Pop-Up Skatepark Youngstown Skatepark Association
• The Summit FM Merch Market + Info Tent The Summit FM
• Two Crews. Six Brews. Frenzy Friends Tap Takeover x Birdfish Brewing Co. & Noble Creature Wild Ales and Lagers x Draught House

VENDORS + FOOD TRUCKS

During the event, The Youngstown Flea will host 30 local vendors from 2 - 8 p.m. along N Hazel Street and W Federal Street. Food trucks such as The Pierogi Lady, Wok on the Wild Side and Loukouma Greek Donuts will be stationed throughout the event.

DORA

The City of Youngstown’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) will be in effect for the full length of Saturday’s festivities. All alcohol sales for the event will be run through participating DORA businesses. For more details, visit youngstownohio.gov/dora.

PARKING + SHUTTLE SERVICES

Parking is available at the YSU Wick Parking Deck at 459 Wick Ave. Youngstown, Ohio 44503, the cost is $5 (cash only) for those without a parking pass. Public parking is also available at various locations throughout Youngstown.

Shuttle services will run from 1:30-11:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. on a continuous loop from the McDonough Museum of Art (adjacent to the YSU Wick Ave Parking Deck) at 525 Wick Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502 to the intersection of W Commerce St and N Phelps Street Gateway at the event site.

STREET CLOSURES

• W Federal Street from S Chestnut Street/Symphony Pl to Wick Ave/Market Street will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and re-open at 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 19.
• Hazel Street from W Commerce Street to Market Court will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and re-open at 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 19.
• Phelps Street from W Federal Street to W Boardman Street will close at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, and re-open at 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 19.

LISTENER’S CHOICE AWARD

The Summit FM, a locally owned and operated, member-supported public radio station, will sponsor the Federal Frenzy Listener’s Choice Award for eligible performers. The winning act will be offered the opportunity to perform and record a three-song set in The Summit’s Studio C during the 2026-27 academic year on a mutually agreeable date. Federal Frenzy event attendees will be able to vote on their phone between 2 and 9 p.m. on the day of the event. To vote, scan the QR code on the event schedule, or visit @ysupenpro on Instagram and click the link in the bio.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Federal Frenzy Presenting Sponsors include YSU Penguin Productions; Youngstown State University; City of Youngstown; The Summit FM.

Federal Frenzy Producing Partners include Youngstown Flea; The Varsity Club Restaurant & Tavern; Twisted Roots Luxury Lounge & Sports Bar; V2 Wine Bar and Trattoria by Vernon; Draught House; Westside Bowl; Avalon Downtown; Forty Two Inc.

For more information, visit Penguin Productions website (ysu.edu/federalfrenzy) and social media outlets: Facebook (YSU Penguin Productions), Instagram/TikTok/YouTube (@ysupenpro), or call (330) 941-3575.

YSU Penguin Productions is a volunteer student organization at Youngstown State University committed to delivering high-quality live music experiences to the YSU campus and the Youngstown community through the creation, production and organization of events.