There are many factors that go into why a music festival is considered awesome, horrible, or somewhere in between. The lineup is usually the biggest one, but what’s even more important is whether or not the artists on the bill put on shows you won’t soon forget – or if it seems like they’re just going through the motions.
The one thing I noticed more than anything else during FYF Fest yesterday was how genuinely stoked all the artists were to be playing at USC Campus for this voracious LA crowd. Everyone brought their A-game, and there was no shortage of star studded special guests.
As the sun began to set on the LA Sports Arena, Goldroom stepped on “The Trees” stage and put on the perfect set to transition into the night. Josh Legg and crew kept it fast paced and fun, playing a bunch of hits off the new album “Embrace” as well fan favorites like “Only You Can Show Me“.
If you’ve ever been to a Run the Jewels show, you know those guys don’t mess around. It’s high energy and intensity from the moment they walk on stage – and yesterday was no exception to the rule. The only way to turn the volume up any higher than it already goes, is if you bring on Zack De La Rocha and Travis Barker to rip the mic apart and shred the drums to pieces. Which is exactly how they ended their show last night.
Nic Offer of !!! is quite possibly one of the most mesmerizing performers of our day. He puts every ounce of passion and sweat into his shows, and has an uncanny knack for stirring up the crowd into a frenzy. Last night Nic decided he would take his connection with the crowd to the next level, and ran off the stage into the sea of people to touch and be touched by a lucky few.
Last but certainly not least, I have to pass along some commentary on the Kanye performance.
In all honesty, this show was a make or break situation for me. While it’s impossible to ignore all of Kanye’s accolades, he can also make liking him very difficult – with the waterfall of crap that spews from his mouth on the daily.
But last night was no bullshit. He came out exactly on time, and didn’t stop playing hits until the moment the house lights went up. He kept his mouth shut the entire night (except to spit lyrics), and literally gave the crowd every song they could have ever asked for. And to top it all off, he brought up Rihanna to sing their latest hit Four Five Seconds.
Nice job Kanye. You are cool in my book. For now.
Photo Credits
Kanye West and !!! – Jose Negrete for FYF Fest
Run the Jewels – Kelsey Heng for FYF Fest
