Thousands of punks descend upon Gainesville to party at Fest 21. Here's what to know
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Thousands of people from all over the globe have descended upon Alachua County to embark on a three-day musical excursion.
The Fest, which has become a staple in Gainesville’s music scene for two decades, is known internationally as one of the Sunshine State’s largest annual punk music festivals and is celebrated as an inclusive environment that also has other genres, such as indie, ska and metal.
The event, often described as a family reunion amongst distant friends, marks the festival’s 21st anniversary and will feature roughly 350 bands, comedians and wrestlers sprawled throughout downtown Gainesville Friday through Sunday. The sold-out music festival is always held the same weekend the Florida Gators travel to Jacksonville for its rival matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs, allowing room for thousands to flock downtown from all over.
“I can’t think of another festival like this where it's embedded in punk rock, metal and ska,” said Less Than Jake saxophonist Peter "JR" Wasilewski. “It took a dead weekend in this town and made it into a money maker.”
This year’s lineup features a host of newcomers and regulars, including Thursday (playing two nights), Descendants, Lucero, Gorilla Biscuits, Gwar, Laura Jane Grace, Tsunami Bomb, Tim Barry, Microwave, Eve 6, Pool Kids and many more.
Wasilewski’s band, Less Than Jake, will play two nights on the main Bo Diddley Plaza stage. The Gainesville-grown band headlines Friday’s showcase and will play a special set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their classic album “Hello Rockview.”
The 1998 album, released at the height of the ska-punk wave, was recorded at Mirror Images Studios in Gainesville and features staple hits like “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads” and “History of a Boring Town.”
Wasilewski said the band, at the time in their 20s, never envisioned the album still impacting fans almost three decades later.
“We took it on tour this summer and the reception and response from people just opened our eyes even about the impact it's had on people,” he said. “We are humbled that it’s such an important record for so many people. It’ll be a good way to kick off the special weekend.”
More: 'Care, community and punk rock': The Fest returns to Gainesville for 20th anniversary
Fest origins and impact
Aside from their Gainesville connections, Less Than Jake and The Fest have always gone hand in hand. Fest creator Tony Weinbender was a roadie for the band early on. Wasilewski recalled sitting on a porch having a drunk conversation where Weinbender began pitching the idea of a large punk music festival.
Eventually, the former No Idea Records employee made it happen, though the festival lost money its first year. Now, it sells out every year, has a host of sponsors and more than 500 volunteers helping throughout the weekend to make it all possible.
In many ways, The Fest has also become a catalyst for other major festivals, like Chicago’s Riot Fest.
“It gives me chills just thinking about it,” Wasilewski said. “He created a space for punk rock. We travel all around the world and people know about The Fest.”
That sentiment is shared by other frequent attendees and musical acts.
Shows to check out
Maura Weaver, who rid fresh off releasing her solo debut “I was Due for a Heartbreak,” has been coming to Gainesville’s Fest to play for about a decade. She said the festival is unlike others, largely due to its welcoming and fun atmosphere.
“You just see everyone you know in the same place. It’s just really heartwarming and life-affirming,” she said. “It just feels so fun to take over a section of the city like that with all your friends. It feels more homey than most music festivals are.”
The former Mixtapes singer and guitarist who hails from Cincinnati, Ohio is currently on tour with Endless Mike and the Beagle Club. Despite not playing until Sunday at the Civic Media Center, Weaver said she plans to attend the entire weekend to enjoy good food, see favorites play and discover new bands.
“I’ll have a list of artists I want to see but I’ll just get caught up with friends and go to a show and see someone I’ve never heard of and it’ll just blow me away,” she said. “Those are some of the best sets I’ve ever seen … I realized it’s more fun if I take it more easily, see a few favorites, and wander around and discover new bands.”
Playing at Heartwood Soundstage Friday night is the Atlanta, Georgia-based Rock band Microwave, who is making its second Fest appearance.
Singer Nathan Hardy said his band always felt they fit in the scene and that all the band’s friends play, too.
“It’s like a special lineup or network of bands that are considered “Fest bands” and it’s kind of like their top show for those bands every year,” he said. “It’s always like a super big family reunion. You walk down the block and keep seeing people you know. I think that’s what I’m most excited about.”
Hardy said the band intends to party hard and make it a night to remember.
“The last time we were there, I remember everyone’s girlfriend was crying by the end of the night. It was just full-on drunk,” he said. “We enjoy to party.”
Key to the City
Despite the countless sets spanning three days, the weekend belongs to Against Me! singer and guitarist Laura Jane Grace who will be presented with a Key to the City of Gainesville by the mayor for her contributions to helping make Gainesville a worldwide music destination and for her activism in the LGBTQ community.
The presentation will take place at City Hall, across the street from Bo Diddley Plaza, at 5 p.m. Friday.
More: Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! set to be honored with Key to the City of Gainesville
Grace, 42, said she is truly humbled by the award. And even though she played in Gainesville earlier this year, she said a Fest crowd is a different beast.
“The shows don’t feel quite connected,” she said. “You’re playing to a different audience.”
Grace said she also will be checking out shows throughout the weekend. Among her notable selections are David Dondero, Dillinger Four, Lucero, Sparta, Against All Authority, Eve 6 and Zeta.
Against Me! has played Fest since its inception and has watched it grow into what it is today. Grace said it gives her a different perspective of how special it is for the community and punk scene.
“It’s so cool to witness that because it’s rare,” she said. “You need time to appreciate something like that. You’re talking about two decades. Apart from even time, it’s just rare that things last that long and be able to grow beyond what it was.
“It’s an internationally renowned festival. It’s awesome that Gainesville has that.”
For the full lineup, individual showcase prices and more, visit. www.thefestfl.com or download the Fest21 mobile app.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Thousands of fans descend upon Gainesville for Fest 21
