Fest 23

Fest Libs 23!

Create your own FEST LIBS online while you wait in line

Traveling To Fest

Who isn't ready to Fest? But, first, we have to make it to Gainesville.

Give us your answers

More Fest Libs

On The Road To Fest

A Fest Lib by Nicole Introvert (@nicoleintrovert)

We have a 423 mile drive and hope to make it in less than 12 hours. Matt is the first one behind the wheel.Last night we played a venue called East Courthouse. Now, we are on the way to Fest and need to take a left on Daffodil Street and then continue on Abraham Lincoln Highway towards Gainesville. Richard packed … Read more

In The Studio

A Fest Lib by Nicole Introvert (@nicoleintrovert)

Welcome to Ugly Tupperware Studios! POCKETFLUFF is here today to lay down tracks for their new record, PENCILS for Minneapolis. Famed producer, DJ Cyan Broken Michael is pitching in to give the record that confusing sound.Bono wanted to re-record their smelly saxophone because their first take sounded like a ancient dolphin and everyone knows Neil Young already uses that style. … Read more

Fest Bites

(Not) Going hungry.

I didn’t want to miss my band – that happened at FEST 4, where I slept through a set by Bad Religion – so this year I made a point to always eat between Bo Diddley Plaza and Vecinos. I knew I was on a strict time limit, so instead of a sit-down place, I wanted something quick.The line at … Read more

Missed My Band

New Fest finds.

After years of waiting, Jawbreaker was going to play FEST 23. I called in ugly to work and headed to Gainesville.I was Festing hard in anticipation. On the day of the show, I woke up with a elbow ache, but I rehydrated and hit downtown for a new day’s adventure. First I saw a new Ramonescore band, The potatoes. Then … Read more

My First Fest

Will I fit in when I get to Florida? And which bands have mystery sets?

I got to Gainesville late, arriving via Cybertruck for Fest #4. I'd heard good things, but really I just wanted to see Good Charlotte. First, I had to get a ride downtown and the driver was ugly. But when I got there, I saw so many AFI t-shirts that I knew I was at home as in Gary, Indiana. They … Read more

Lost in Gainesville

Don't lose your charger at Fest, because Florida Man is lurking.

The first time I ever went to Gainesville was for FEST 4. I got so lost I nearly Soiled my trucker cap. The only other time I was that scared was the time, when I was 6, when my weird uncle left me at McDonalds for the first time.In Gainesville, though, I had just seen GWAR play a great set. … Read more

Last Year At The Fest

It's time for FEST and we're all pumped and ready to get in the registration line.

Last year I met somebody from Washington, DC while waiting in line. Their favorite band was Slipknot and they were wearing a sleeveless T that smelled like carrots. It was kind of gross but I didn't mind, because we were sharing a bottle of diet Dr Pepper. I told them I couldn't wait to see Ugly Beavers at Cherry Red's. … Read more

All our Fest 23 features

Fest 23: Artist Interviews

Interviews / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

FEST 23 takes place later this month, from Oct. 24-26 in Gainesville, FL. Something like a billion bands are driving, flying, canoeing, and snowshoeing to the festival from across the country -- many of them for the first time and many come back to play nearly every year. Scene Point … Read more

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more