Two nights in Ybor City, Tampa broke the trend of night clubs and tourist shops with a punk invasion. Two days and nights of Gainesville’s punk party, the Fest, entered with a sophomore year event titled “Big Pre-Fest in Little Ybor 2.”
Tattoos, band t-shirts and thick-rimmed glasses arrived in seas as fans arrived from all corridors of the world. The event brings together names of the multiple subgenres of punk: hardcore, indie, pop punk, crust punk, etc. Pre-Fest kicked off a party that celebrated 13 years of festivals, spanning five days with a total of 400 bands, but not without letting Tampa Bay residents get a taste.
Local and international bands flooded the stages at area bars, restaurants, and venues. The Orpheum, Tequilas Mexican Restaurant, and New World Brewery served as main stages, along with Crow Bar. Locals are familiar with the edgy vibes of each venue, but it was the bands that were left with strong impressions of Tampa and Ybor City.
Astpai, an Austrian pop punk (and slight hardcore edge) arrived to kick off a tour and one of their only United States stops, bringing in an energy only available during the Fest. Think AC/DC meets Strike Anywhere, balancing political views and surprisingly sing-along ability. Chemistry on stage set the tone for the night, as bands like Cleveland favorite Signals Midwest screamed shout-outs to each other throughout their sets. Few shredded through set energies like SM, who brought a fresh growl to indie punk.
Nostalgia swept in notably throughout the two nights. Wednesday brought activist hardcore favorites Strike Anywhere and hardcore bouncers, A Wilhelm Scream, who hosted an all-Twitter request show. Thursday swept ska favorites Less Than Jake in to close the night and a reunited Spraynard to revamp the pop punk tones of the night.
The Orpheum raged for energy, while smaller venues like Crow Bar explored eurhythmic and experimental sounds. Restorations, known for heavy dips and other-worldly riffs, swept away audiences. The feeling was mutual as Dowsing offered a similar tone, but with more pop punk zest. Two-piece band Dads were joined by a guest bassist, who stomped further energy as fans attempted to drag him off stage.
The punk community that is Fest carried the warm vibes and sense of unity to Tampa. If there’s anything you can find at a series of punk shows during Fest, it’s a community of great bands and potential friends. Just wait for next year’s party- you won’t want to miss it.
