Florida people, your weekend plans just changed. Fest 24 opens today in downtown Gainesville, three days of punk, ska, and hardcore spread across a pile of walkable venues, one wristband, and a lineup so long it reads like the phone book for the entire scene.
This is the 24th edition of The Fest, and the top of the bill is packed with names this audience knows cold. The Bouncing Souls, Lagwagon, PUP, The Flatliners, Mustard Plug, Texas Is the Reason, Samiam, Sparta, A Wilhelm Scream, Torche, and Iron Reagan are all in there. Keep digging and it gets better: Catbite, Kill Lincoln, War On Women, The Planet Smashers, Nerf Herder, and Miami's own Against All Authority holding it down for Florida. Half the lineup is tagged as a Florida exclusive, which means these bands are not playing anywhere else in the state. Gainesville is it.
“One wristband, and a lineup so long it reads like the phone book for the entire scene.”
Moe Train
Saturday is the big plaza day. Lagwagon, The Bouncing Souls, and PUP all hit Bo Diddley Plaza, which is the kind of afternoon that ruins your voice by dinner and has you planning the same trip for next year.
That is the whole charm of this thing. No mega stage in a field, no mile long walk between sets. Just a downtown full of loud rooms, old friends, and a schedule that forces hard choices every hour. If you are anywhere near Gainesville this weekend, get the wristband and hydrate. Your ears will forgive you eventually.
Source: The Fest (official site)
