FYF Fest Ups Its Game With Morrissey, D'Angelo, and More

Craig Rosen
·Writer
Updated
image

Watch out Coachella, FYF Fest – Southern California’s other eclectic multi-day festival – is upping its game. Headlining the second day of this year’s edition on Aug. 23 are Morrissey and D'Angelo & the Vanguard. Day one, on Aug. 22, is nearly as impressive with Frank Ocean and Bloc Party topping the bill.

Speaking of Coachella, many acts that have played that fest in the past, such as Morrissey, as well as several that played this year’s desert bang-up – Run the Jewels, Belle & Sebastian, Mac Demarco, FKA Twigs, and Toro Y Moi – are on the bill for FYF, so if you missed them there, you’ll get another chance.

FYF isn’t actually in competition with Coachella. They’re both produced by promoter Goldenvoice, so FYF is sort of like Coachellla’s city-based little brother. It runs two days instead of three and is held in the urban environment of the Los Angeles Sports Arena and Exposition Park, after its early years in Echo Park and the Los Angeles State Park in Chinatown. The fest was founded in 2004 by Sean Carlson when he was just 18. Goldenvoice came on as a producer in 2011.

L.A. residents will find the location much more convenient than schlepping all the way to Indio, Calif., but they’ll likely miss the magical, palm-tree lined sunsets that Coachella offers.

Other acts on this year’s bill include a mix or veterans (such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Dinosaur Jr. on day one; and Spiritualized on day two) and buzz-worthy relative newcomers (Chet Faker, the Drums and Alvvays on day one; Laura Marling and Tobias Jess Jr. on day two). You can see the whole bill here.

FYF is also a bit more feasible for those who couldn’t afford Coachella. A two-day general admission ticket goes for $175, a single-day ticket is $109, while a VIP pass (for those 21-and-older) goes for $329. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 8.

This will be FYF’s second year in Exposition Park. While last year there were reportedly some problems with crowds navigating the festival grounds and being shut out of the Sports Arena, we’re hoping this year they’ll get those kinks worked out.