Athens Popfest about culture, not bubble-gum tunes

This isn't Miley Cyrus' kind of pop.

The Athens Pop Fest, which kicks off Tuesday with some 65 bands descending on the music town, is a five-day festival celebrating the next-big-thing in indie rock and pop music.

The bands and performers are international in scope, with some like Elekibass coming from as far away as Japan. Fans, too. Organizer Gordon Lamb said music enthusiasts come from around the world. The last festival drew more than 3,000 listeners, a number they hope will rise, along with the prospects of the stars waiting to be discovered.

The festival features such headliners as Mission of Burma, The Wedding Present and Apples in Stereo and other bands on the brink of making it beyond the buzz of insider circles.

We chatted with Lamb about the meaning of pop and how to participate in Pop Fest.

Q. When a lot of us think of "pop," we picture Michael Jackson or even Justin Bieber. But I'm guessing that's not the type of music we'll hear at Pop Fest.

A. All the music we’re presenting this year is a sub-genre of rock ‘n' roll. The way we use the word "pop" is the way it used to be used ... think of the old rock festivals like Atlanta Pop Festival or Monterey [International] Pop Music Festival. We use it that way, as not necessarily indicating a music style, but indicating music in pop culture.

Q. The festival began in 2003, but it wasn't held last year. What happened and why bring it back now?

A. We took off 2009 because of the economy. The whole festival takes a year to plan, so it got to be January of 2009 and we didn’t have a crystal ball to see what August would look like. We didn't want to take a chance. Even though the economy hasn’t improved that much, people are used to it now. They aren't cutting back as much as they were.

Q. Any tips for navigating the event?

A. Go to the website www.athenspopfest.com and follow the links to the bands and listen to some of them. Pick your favorites and check the schedule and plan accordingly. And even though it is indoors, it's still hot. Dress comfortably and be prepared for several hours of music every day.

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