Youngstown State University’s Penguin Productions is holding the 11th Annual Federal Frenzy on April 25–26 and has announced its headlining act: Ultra Q.
In its first year as a two-day festival, Federal Frenzy will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, April 25, at Penguin City Brewing Co., located at 460 E. Federal Street, in Youngstown. The event will feature performances by six musical acts on Friday, and 25 musical acts on Saturday.
Federal Frenzy is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required for entrance.
The Platt! Stage in the Penguin City Taproom will host Friday night’s musical lineup, including headliner No Funk No Justice. Performances on The Platt! Stage will kick off with Potentia at 5:25 p.m., followed by Late Night Drive, Aairo, Tundra Tuxedo and Outrun Infinity before No Funk No Justice takes the stage.
While the taproom is music central for the evening, over 30 vendors from the Youngstown Flea and the Penguin City Night Market will be set up in Penguin City's Pollock Ballroom on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Food trucks on-site for Friday’s festivities include Street Pies Brick Oven Pizza, The Big Green Thing, Armida's Cucina and Tra's Gourmet.
Saturday’s festivities will kick off at 2 p.m. in the heart of downtown. The Penguin Productions main stage will be located near the intersection of W. Federal St. and Phelps St. Performances begin with Wednesday Demonstration at 2:30 p.m., followed by Fake Blondes, The Velvet Gentlemen, Lemuel & Friends, Nineteenth Paradise and Fifth & Aurora, Fine Young Men and then headliner Ultra Q.
The Summit FM will sponsor the second outdoor stage, located near the intersection of W. Federal St. and Hazel St. Performances will begin at 3 p.m. with Lovers in Reverse, followed by sets from Floco Torres, Sedona, November Loop, Hunter Skeens and the Forerunners, and will be concluded by headliner Anya Van Rose. The Summit FM will once again sponsor the Federal Frenzy Listener’s Choice Award, offering the winning band an opportunity to record a Studio C Session at the station’s Akron facilities.
Located inside of The Federal, 110 W. Federal St., the third stage will host music throughout the afternoon and early evening. Negative Zen opens the stage at 2:15 p.m., followed by a lineup including Bury the Pines, King Tut the Don and Da Bopman, Royce Anthony and Master Hand. Heartbreak Kings, the winners of the 2025 Federal Frenzy Face-Off will wrap up the venue’s live music for the night with a set starting at 7:15 p.m.
Downtown’s newest establishment, The Varsity Club, 131 W. Commerce St., will host Saturday’s fourth and final stage. Live performances begin at 3:25 p.m. with Blue Chameleon, followed by John Harrow, Benny Bassett and The Head Trips. Candace Campana will wrap up The Varsity Club lineup with an acoustic set starting at 7:25 p.m.
The Youngstown Flea will power the local vendor marketplace on Phelps St., including 50 vendors selling unique homemade wares. Shoppers are welcome on Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. Family-friendly activities will be held throughout the event. A variety of food trucks will be stationed throughout the event, including WhatsGrandpaSmokin, R&J Smokers, Wok On The Wild Side and Armida’s Cucina.
Youngstown’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will be in effect for the full length of Saturday’s festivities. All alcohol sales for the event will be run through participating DORA venues.
Attendees are encouraged to park in the Wick Avenue Parking Deck on campus. Parking is free with a YSU parking pass, or $5 cash for all others. Shuttle services will run on a continuous loop from the McDonough Museum of Art on Wick Ave to the event site on Friday from 4 to 10:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 2 to 11:30 p.m.
STREET CLOSURES:
For further details about Federal Frenzy follow YSU Penguin Productions on Instagram (@ysupenpro) and Facebook (YSU Penguin Productions) or visit the Federal Frenzy website.
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