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One of the raddest things about FYF is that the fest doesn’t just give up-and-coming or outsider bands a chance to rip it up in front of huge, curious crowds. They also promote indie and DIY culture in general, with the presence of craft tables and zine and mixtape contests. I think the fact that they give a photo pass to someone like me is part of that. There I was in the photo pit with my little GX1 and pancake lens, surrounded by professional shooters with thousands of dollars worth of bazooka-like gear… Somehow, I got some pretty good shots that I didn’t use in the FYF recap blogs (parts 1 and 2) but still want to share–like the one of No Age, above. The L.A. duo is known for weirdo ripping, but I was going to cry during “I Won’t Be Your Generator” because it sounded so gorgeous when given the fuzzed-out Replacements’ “Answering Machine” treatment. You can tell this outtake was from early in the set because drummer Dean Spunt is still wearing a hat.
I was grateful for the three songs that we were allowed to stand in front and take photos during. But, especially with a band like METZ, I knew certain musicians were just getting warmed up and that the real rocking out would happen toward the end of the set. In the outtake above, the Sub Pop rockers aren’t even covered in sweat yet. I considered setting up shop in the front row for certain bands’ entire sets but never followed through for hygiene reasons.
Since I’m not one of those guys with a hefty lens trying to get a close-up of the singer’s face, I like to stay on the side where it’s uncrowded and try to get the entire band in the frame. Actually, Charles Bradley was on the fest’s biggest stage so I didn’t get the drummer for this particular shot, but I like how you can see the remaining members admiring the former James Brown impersonator’s dance move.
One of the raddest things about FYF is that the fest doesn’t just give up-and-coming or outsider bands a chance to rip it up in front of huge, curious crowds. They also promote indie and DIY culture in general, with the presence of craft tables and zine and mixtape contests. I think the fact that they give a photo pass to someone like me is part of that. There I was in the photo pit with my little GX1 and pancake lens, surrounded by professional shooters with thousands of dollars worth of bazooka-like gear… Somehow, I got some pretty good shots that I didn’t use in the FYF recap blogs (parts 1 and 2) but still want to share–like the one of No Age, above. The L.A. duo is known for weirdo ripping, but I was going to cry during “I Won’t Be Your Generator” because it sounded so gorgeous when given the fuzzed-out Replacements’ “Answering Machine” treatment. You can tell this outtake was from early in the set because drummer Dean Spunt is still wearing a hat.
I was grateful for the three songs that we were allowed to stand in front and take photos during. But, especially with a band like METZ, I knew certain musicians were just getting warmed up and that the real rocking out would happen toward the end of the set. In the outtake above, the Sub Pop rockers aren’t even covered in sweat yet. I considered setting up shop in the front row for certain bands’ entire sets but never followed through for hygiene reasons.
Since I’m not one of those guys with a hefty lens trying to get a close-up of the singer’s face, I like to stay on the side where it’s uncrowded and try to get the entire band in the frame. Actually, Charles Bradley was on the fest’s biggest stage so I didn’t get the drummer for this particular shot, but I like how you can see the remaining members admiring the former James Brown impersonator’s dance move.
Two days of FYF is pretty manageable when you live 15 minutes away and doors don’t open until two. I got to sleep late, have brunch with my family, and still roll in early enough to find free Sunday street parking and order one of the best ice coffees ever while walking through Chinatown. Seriously, the helper at Hill Street Cafe & Cigar brewed and poured fresh espresso, spooned in some condensed milk, added ice, topped it off, sealed it in a boba cup, and then shook it by hand. I love FYF but that probably wasn’t going to happen in one of the food trucks, and definitely not for 3 bucks.
Jonathan Richman kicked of the day with a set that reminded us that music is made by humans for humans. The ex-Modern Lover who appeared in There’s Something About Mary not only chooses to surround himself with people rather than watch TV and have conversations in person rather than with a cell phone, but doesn’t even use monitors when playing with his buddy Tommy onstage. It’s that immediacy, integrity, and honesty that makes him a hero to punks and all music that stems from it.
Two days of FYF is pretty manageable when you live 15 minutes away and doors don’t open until two. I got to sleep late, have brunch with my family, and still roll in early enough to find free Sunday street parking and order one of the best ice coffees ever while walking through Chinatown. Seriously, the helper at Hill Street Cafe & Cigar brewed and poured fresh espresso, spooned in some condensed milk, added ice, topped it off, sealed it in a boba cup, and then shook it by hand. I love FYF but that probably wasn’t going to happen in one of the food trucks, and definitely not for 3 bucks.
Jonathan Richman kicked of the day with a set that reminded us that music is made by humans for humans. The ex-Modern Lover who appeared in There’s Something About Mary not only chooses to surround himself with people rather than watch TV and have conversations in person rather than with a cell phone, but doesn’t even use monitors when playing with his buddy Tommy onstage. It’s that immediacy, integrity, and honesty that makes him a hero to punks and all music that stems from it.