Fest 22: Day 1 in Gainesville, FL

Last year I raw dogged Fest, both sober and solo. I covered the entire festival, or as much as my little body could handle, by myself for all three days. I traveled to and from the festival alone, stayed in a hotel alone, took care of my health, ate real meals, and came home with COVID. This year, I was excited to be splitting at least half of these things with my friend Matt, an amazing photographer and Fest newcomer who would be helping me experience all that Florida has to offer for Fest 22.

We arrived Thursday night and grabbed supplies at the local Walmart (chips, so many kinds of chips), before grabbing food at The Top and making a plan of action for the next day. Matt had asked me months ago about my must sees and I just ignored the question. After all these years going to Fest, I’ve learned one truth – as much as I plan my three days at Fest annually, there comes a point where its easier to just go with the tide of the weekend and see where it takes you. I tried to explain this to Matt as we hungrily devoured our burgers and then headed back to the room. We made sure our camera batteries were charged, our SD cards were loaded and our bags were packed before trying to get some sleep in preparation for the next day.

We grabbed breakfast at the cutest little breakfast spot in Gainesville, East End Eatery. Then we headed over to registration just in time for them to open at noon. The line was already down the block and around the corner. Even the press/band/guest/volunteer line was long. We took our place at the end and so happily ended up being just behind Erik from Dollar Signs and his lovely partner Allison. There were literally no people better to be next to; we talked the whole way through the line about music, life, and dogs (there were a lot of dog photos shared over this time). After we got our wristbands and lanyards, we headed to the Fest flea market to see even more friendly faces. Adam and Lauren from Say-10 were right at the end. Andy from Sell the Heart and also Titty Bats were just inside. I ran into Will Kenneth and their lovely partner Rachel, both of whom I met last year in person and just fell in love with. We ended up forming a little group of friends just outside of the market, but still tucked under the tent because the sun was already god awful. It was hugs and friends all around as people ebbed and flowed through the market. When we had our fill, we headed out and off to park and begin Matt’s very first fest experience.

First on my list was Lightweight at Civic Media Center. The band has been putting out back to back hits with all of their releases. I honestly feel like they are one of the most underrated punk bands in the scene right now. They are so good and their live show is always so fun. Then we were off to Vivid for Dollar Signs. I’ve loved these guys since the very beginning; we later talked about events from Fest 2014, which was actually the first time I saw them live. While it feels like many of the same bands play fest year after year, this is one that I always make it a point to see. They’re great people who play great music and I dare you to catch them live and not crack a smile. They can crack through even the deepest depression, at least for a few bars.

From there, I was off to Loosey’s to see Hell Beach. I caught them on a recommendation from someone and they did not disappoint. I tried to explain to Matt in advance that one of the most beautiful parts of Fest is catching bands that you have never heard of before just playing their hearts out and impressing the shit out of everyone. It’s in those moments were I remember why music means so much to me and why, after all these years and disappointments, I refuse to abandon it. Hell Beach was one of those sets for me at Fest this year.

There’s always a part of the day where time starts to swirl. I headed to Civic Media Center for Rodeo Boys then over to Heartwood for The Penske File, then ran up to the Wooly for New Junk City. From the moment the first note rang out, the crowd was WILD. I was right in the front trying to catch some photos and a tall af guy rocketed out of nowhere and onto the stage and was pushed back into the crowd. That started an all dude pit of beardy org core fans. I retreated further back in the room to enjoy the set as the old, feeble woman I now am. I caught The Dreaded Laramie at Civic Media Center. They were one of my must see bands on this year’s lineup. They recently released a brand new LP and it’s fabulous. I’ve had it on repeat for months. Up to Palomino for Damage Done and back down to Heartwood for Rozwell Kid. My feet were already aching from all of the back and forth.

I ran over to Vivid Music Hall and tucked in under a giant speaker near the front of the stage for American Steel. I had not seen these guys since 2019 and they sounded perfect. The band was celebrating the 25th anniversary of their album Rogue’s March but played songs off all their albums, much to the crowd’s excitement. They opened with “Emergency House Party,” the most Fest of all their songs, and ended with “Mean Streak.” It was an absolutely perfect set. But I wasn’t done yet. I caught Brooklyn’s Heavy Lag, after missing them last year. I’ve been hooked ever since they released their demo in 2020. While I was in the area, I decided to grab some food at Boca before I keeled over from exhaustion. The waitress was SO sweet. When I told her that I needed water, lots of water, she brought one of those giant red plastic cups (that those of us over 35 remember from Pizza Hut) and the largest pitcher of water that anyone has ever seen along with two tacos that I practically inhaled while pouring the vegan queso in my mouth to mix it all in.

Recharged and ready, I headed back to Vivid for the almighty Riverboat Gamblers. The Denton/Austin, TX-based band was celebrating the 21 year release of Something to Crow About but spent this set (1 of 2) playing their other hits like “True Crime, “Victory Lap,” and “Don’t Bury Me… I’m Still Not Dead.” I was lucky enough to chat with Mike from the band before Fest and our Q&A was actually published in the Fest guidebook this year. The last time I had seen the Gamblers, I was the recipient of an accidental kick to the stomach so being able to snap some photos, enjoy the set, and sneak out the back without any injuries made the set even better.

One more to go! I dragged ass back over to Boca’s Backyard to catch Chicago’s own Royal Dog. The band is the newer project from Anthony Elliot, who I followed religiously when he fronted Bloomington, IN-based pop punk band Wringer like ten years ago. The band includes one of Chicago’s very best photographers Micki on guitar, Joey on bass, and Castle on drums. The crowd was full of friends smiling, sipping their drinks, and singing along. It was the perfect way to close out the first night of Fest 22.

Thirteen bands later for me and sixteen for Matt, we trudged back to the car and to the hotel. We wound down while shoving chips and assorted other snacks in our faces before rolling over and passing out. Day 1, in the books.

Check out Matt’s amazing photos below: