*cue: Andy Williams’ “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
It’s that time again for the late summer FYF feelings. And every time it comes that’s a very good thing, because despite what cooler-than-thou kids and listicle publications might say…FYF Fest is arguably Southern California’s most authentically demographically and aesthetically heterogeneous line-ups out there.
I’m pretty sure there isn’t any other festival in the United States (or anywhere for that matter) where you could actually see D’Angelo, Mac DeMarco and DJ Harvey on the same day. If you don’t objectively see or understand why that’s awesome I really can’t do nothin’ for you but I’ma pray for you.
All that said, both days of the festival are super solid and totally worth making your way to the Sports Arena next weekend. A few of my personal favorites at the Fest include:
Dixon:
Named Resident Advisor’s Top DJ 2 years running, Innervisions’ label boss Dixon is undoubtedly someone you should to see. Bringing strong Berlin craft and sound to the Festival’s Dance Arena, his set promises to be quite unlike anything else at the Fest this year.
[youtube width=”500″ height=”344″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LU18BJunVk[/youtube]
Mikal Cronin:
The first time I heard Mikal Cronin, it was years ago off a YouTube clip on a cracked iPhone in the alley next to Tiki Ti. I was hiccuping and seeing stars and Polynesian birds were spinning around my head like some Looney Tune. A friend pulled up “Apathy“. It was sobering. It’s raw power snapped my head back into place and gave me singularity of purpose…get it together so you can go buy the album.
[youtube width=”500″ height=”344″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrC34CnsxPE[/youtube]
Savages:
Speaking of power, London’s Savages are channeling some next level mythical creature type stuff. Listening to “Husbands” feels like a visitation from banshees or Valkyries. Although there are audible strains of Siouxsie Sioux and The Slits, where those artists embraced their femininity, there’s a sense of urgency and nerve at play here that transcends gender and sex (and/or use of those as some point of entry.) Particularly given the strange days we live in where ignorant pop-stars and starlets lay claim to some pretty conflicted, microwaved hybrid version of feminism, Savages seemingly choose to essentially opt out of the concept altogether. These talented women are exploring the energy of denial and unavailability, identity and ideology, making them more akin to Joy Division or Gang of Four.
[youtube width=”500″ height=”344″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmJ_mcvRQsI[/youtube]
DJ Harvey:
I’ve told you for years. Don’t be a ding dong. Get to know, the one and only, DJ Harvey.
…and here are the set times in case you missed them!
