Beach Slang (photo: Elena Vilain)
The countdown to Fest 14 began the moment that I shuffled into my car after the last night of Fest 13. I consider Gainesville, Florida’s Fest to be the culmination of my year, the promised perfect weekend filled with incessant punk energy. Fueled by cheap beer and a hysteric addiction to the scene, I’m racing from set to set to scream with every ounce of my being along to the bands who shape the best memories of my year. Check out my picks, or rather where you’ll be certain to find me, at Fest.
Beach Slang
If there was a band that embodies the essence of all that is Fest, it’s the triumphant, returning Beach Slang. The Philadelphia four-piece bursts punk energy from stage to crowd, providing the most riveting yet intimate performance. Fans have slowly been spoon-fed singles from upcoming album, Things We Do to Find People Like Us, building up a hysteria for the album-release show, conveniently scheduled for Fest. I guarantee that Gainesville’s Cowboys venue will erupt the moment “Young and Alive” blasts through the sound system as “we awake our hearts to riot.”
Cayetana
Precise, perfect indie punk. Cayetana, another Philly pick, dominates with irresistible romp that few acts could imagine topping. Energetic and assuring, their song “Hot Dad Calendar” blasts a special form of vitality. Priding themselves on a live performance that is equally as vigorous as their recordings, Cayetana’s set on Sunday night will be the most epic way to end the Fest weekend.
Oso Oso
Easily among my favourite albums of 2015, Oso Oso’s Real Stories of True People Who Kind of Looked Like Monsters has overtaken my playlists. Jade Lilitri’s latest project balances rollicking indie flavours mixed with pop punk, but it’s the insight and reflection in songs like “Wet Grass or Cold Cement” that lend a second listen to the masterful storytellers and performers.
Worriers
Lauren Denitzio’s Worriers are among the largest and most crucial voices in the punk scene right now. With the production aid of Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! on their latest release, Imaginary Life, every track is a crafted work of art. Worriers balance the line of activism and art with compelling songs like “They/Them/Theirs” and “Yes, All Cops,” tackling gender identity and police brutality with growling indignation building into a roar. I was blown away by their live performance with Against Me! earlier this year: Fest can only make it better.
Alright
It only took a few chords into “Mixed Signals” for me to realize there was no confusing how much I love Alright. The Charlotte fuzzy-pop punks bounce between mellow indie vibes and heavy punk thought. Dripping “Watercolors” slows down to a trance-like state, but never without melodic buildups. In just a couple of EPs, the band already has developed a strong voice that could easily stand out among top acts such as Chumped and Jabber.
The Fest takes place in Gainesville, Florida on October 30-November 1.
Pre-Fest takes place in Tampa, Florida on October 28-29.
No Comments