Although out of San Diego, many of the ListenSD clan trekked up to Los Angeles last weekend for FYF Fest, a yearly two-day indie music extravaganza that always brings a killer lineup, lots of friends, and hipster’s as far as the eye can see. These are some of our favorite sets from the weekend.
Photo by BuzzbandsLA
Dennis Moon: Killer Mike issued a challenge early in Run the Jewels‘ triumphant Saturday evening set at the Trees stage. “Let’s tear this motherfucker down,” he said to thunderous cheers. After he and his partner in rap game debauchery El-P had already provoked a mosh pit with an outrageously hype rendition of their would be theme song “Run the Jewels,” this expletive almost seemed like overkill. The audience was a perfect extension of the duo’s take-no-prisoners attitude, adding fuel to the already rowdy flame. They came, they saw, they conquered, and no matter what happened the rest of the weekend, I felt like I had a 36″ chain.
Photo by Stereogum
Summer Luu: My favorite set was Blood Orange. That was my first time seeing them live and holy shit – it was as if hipster Lionel Ritchie met Rick James, had a baby and that baby grew up listening to synth-y 80’s pop. It was nothing short of amazing.
Photo by Cultzine
Amanda Martinek: My favorite set of FYF 2014 was the face-melting, mind-blowing, rock and roll music of Ty Segall. Not only was he wearing white pants and glitter, but those tighty whitey’s jumped and crowd surfed right on my front-row center skull. Plus I got to hear tracks off his new album Manipulator (and they ruled). Fuck yeah!
Photo by Stereogum / Autumn Andel
David Lopez de Arenosa: Darkside put on a truly amazing set, seemlesly blending and remixing all their well loved songs from their LP ‘Psychic’. Their live performance was more of a mind and body experience though, with deep thumping bass, a chilling light show and a crazy huge 8 ft mirror thing dangling between them that Dave Harrington smashed the shit out of with his guitar at the end!
Photo by LA Weekly
Rachel Frank: My highlights were Blood Orange, The Strokes and Grimes. I loved Mac DeMarco too but the crowd was pretty lifeless, the 16 year olds just couldn’t keep me up while crowdsurfing (could be from the high amount of California burritos consumed recently) . I also crowdsurfed during Blood Orange, who’s dance moves could make your grandpa get off his wheelchair and do the two-step. My phone was lost as well as my mind. I got pretty sweaty during The Strokes and loved every minute of it. Golden Voice found my phone and mailed it back to me – Thanks FYF, you were dope as shit.