KROQ Weenie Roast revamps with Florence + the Machine, Death Cab for Cutie

KROQ’s annual Weenie Roast festival has always balanced brains and brawn in its selections of rock and roll acts. For 2015, they’ve dialed back on muscly skate punk in favor of some more grandiose indie rock.

Florence + the Machine, fresh off its dynamite Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival first week set (and slightly injured second week set), and newly economy-sized indie heroes Death Cab for Cutie are among the headliners at this year’s festival. Each have new albums that look to redefine their careers after long hiatuses. Cold War Kids, Saint Motel and Of Monsters and Men are among acts of a similar mind-set playing the fest.

A few acts, like the stalwart prog-metal arena act Muse and hard-rocking Awolnation, stand up for the traditional KROQ mantle of bruising guitar and drum bands. Fans can see the entire lineup here.

But all in all, it’s a decidedly less muscly and more Coachella-minded lineup that reflects a new era in KROQ’s programming. Last year’s fest had a similar softer side, with headliners like Beck and Avicii and an undercard with Foster the People and Bastille.

The concert takes place May 16 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine. Tickets are on-sale Friday, May 1 at noon for any members of KROQ’s promotional street team.

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