I’ll be at Free Press Summer Fest Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9, at Eleanor Tinsley Park, seeing some great music and probably forgetting to put on enough sunscreen. Here are some things I’m definitely planning on checking out:

I AM MESMER
Saturday, 1:40 p.m.
There are two schools of thought about multi-instrumentalist Geoffrey Mueller, mastermind of insane gypsy dance band I Am Mesmer. Some people think he’s one of the most talented musicians Houston’s ever seen, other people aren’t familiar with his work. If you’re in the latter camp, check out I Am Mesmer’s set and get with it.
Devin the Dude performs Sunday at Free Press Summer Fest: Shane Nash
MUHAMMADALI
Saturday, 2:05 p.m.
Though I’ve seen them a number of times and really dug their split cassette with Black Congress, Muhammadali is a band that seems to still exist more in legend than anything else. The first time I saw the band perform, I told the lead singer that I liked the set and he handed me a small plastic baby with a pentagram drawn on its back. Though the band has been together less than a year, it has already burned through at least two and as many as 19 drummers. The bass player is named Dirty Jeff. (Everyone says it’s for good reasons and then refuses to elaborate.) I’ve been told the members don’t know how to spell their band’s name. None of this may be true, but I do know their songs absolutely crush, and as long as it’s loud enough on Buffalo Bayou, they’ll destroy.

FAT TONY
Saturday, 3:10 p.m.
I dare you to watch Fat Tony perform and not get psyched up. Fresh off his second consecutive Best Underground Hip Hop win at the 2009 Houston Press Music Awards, he’s got one of the most nimble, aerodynamic flows in Houston and never fails to kill it onstage. But I really wish they hadn’t put him on the same time as ...

B L A C K I E vs. COP WARMTH
Saturday, 3:15 p.m.
I really, really want to see this but I skipped Fat Tony at the HPMA showcase last month for B L A C K I E’s absolutely devastating set at Dean’s. Memo to anyone booking festivals or music awards showcases: QUIT SLOTTING THESE TWO OPPOSITE EACH OTHER. Anyway, B L A C K I E and Pasadena avant-fuck punks Cop Warmth divvy up a set at Summer Fest’s second stage in anticipation of their split cassette on Dull Knife Records. Tinnitus for everyone!

OCTOPUS PROJECT
Saturday, 4:15 p.m.
Though its studio albums are well-produced and extremely listenable, the Nintendo’d-out retrofutureshock of Octopus Project is something best witnessed live. Two words: MONSTER DRUMZZZ. Plus psychedelic video visuals that are requisite for this kind of band, and a very righteous theremin player that I wish would inspire more folks to learn the theremin. Why can’t thereminists be the new trend instead of, I dunno, Autotune?

THE MATHLETES
Sunday, 12:45 p.m.
I’ve always shied away from writing about my own band, but I make an exception here because I haven’t seen us listed on any of the posted lineups. I'm assured we’re playing, though. I have always had a very curious working relationship with the Free Press. Anyway, yes, I am psyched to see us.

NEWS ON THE MARCH
Sunday, 1:35 p.m.
I have a feeling that News On The March is going to hold up better than most of their local compatriots, the bands that are more accustomed to playing in dark, cramped bars. News' swinging country-tinged tunes and pitch-perfect harmonies were practically custom-made for sitting out on the grass on a warm summer’s day, drinking lemonade in the shade (or bottled water in an air conditioned tent, but close enough for Houston).

HEARTS OF ANIMALS
Sunday, 3:45 p.m.
Live appearances by Mlee Marie Suprean’s bedroom-pop/shoegaze project Hearts of Animals have been few and far between of late, but her shows are always something special. Rumor has it she’ll be augmented by occasional collaborator and Young Mammals guitarist Cley Miller for a good chunk of the set, so double special.

DEVIN THE DUDE
Sunday, 7:20 p.m.
For two reasons: One, because What a Job This Is is one of the best songs ever written and recorded about writing and recording songs. And two, because it’ll be interesting to see the sun set through the biggest cloud of weed smoke a crowd has ever generated in Eleanor Tinsley park.

OF MONTREAL
Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
The perfect end to what will hopefully be a perfect weekend of music. Of Montreal’s theatrical indiepop has become somewhat divisive, but I think the band is the bee’s knees. Its live show is absolutely unparalleled – it’s David Bowie meets Gwar at Studio 54, and wouldn’t you know it, but nobody could agree on what kind of drugs to take.

That might not sound like a relaxing end to your weekend, but if you want to relax just stay at home and watch TV. I’m planning on having some fun.