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It’s Northside Festival time

Even more culture will flood the streets of Williamsburg and Greenpoint than usual, as the Northside Festival returns for four days of music, film and art this month.

Now in its third year, the festival will take over close to 30 venues from June 16 to 19, hosting more than 250 bands, the majority of which are handpicked by sponsor L Magazine, as well as labels, bloggers, record stores and other independent tastemakers in the community.

Among those tastemakers is Tiger Mountain Presents, which booked some of the most anticipated shows of the festival, thanks in part to the venue. For two nights, McCarren Park will host major concerts for the first time since its popular pool series closed three years ago as the 5,000-person capacity main stage sets up shop on the asphalt softball fields.

“I think we were excited about taking the festival up a notch with regards to the overall visibility and presence, and I hope we rose to the challenge,” said Jack “Skippy” McFadden, one-half of the booking agency, which has indie folk-rock giant Beirut headlining the festival with a show on June 17, followed by Guided By Voices, Wavves, Surfer Blood and Babies on June 18.

“I can’t wait to see the entire neighborhood camped in the park dancing and doing illegal things,” said Jeremy Haines of the band Project Jenny, Project Jan, who you can expect to find rocking out at the Guided By Voices show. “Hooray for summer!”

Beyond the usual suspects, another notable venue this year includes St. Cecilia’s Church on Herbert Street. The sanctuary will welcome the indie faithful as it hosts a show each night of the festival, with Atlas Sound on June 16, Woods on June 17, Eleanor Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces on June 18, and Mount Eerie on June 19, in what promise to be stunning, intimate shows.

“I think artists are getting tired of the same old venues, so it’s nice to see music in alternative locations,” said McFadden.

Northside Festival, June 16 to 19, at various venues in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. For info, visit www.northsidefestival.com.