Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 - Day 3 pics (part 3) - Cults w/ Bethany Best Coast, veggie hot dog eating contest, Hold Steady, more

Madeline Follin of Cults & Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast

It was like a buzz band explosion on Sunday when Bethany of Best Coast, who were playing the same stage later, came on stage during Cults' set to lead the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to Cults member Madeline Follin who then wished Toro y Moi, who played the same stage earlier, a Happy Birthday as well. Cults were good too. I didn't see any of Best Coast's actual set, though Tim did.

The reason I missed all of Best Coast's set was due to the veggie hot dog eating contest happening on the Yellow Stage. I first met Mike Litt in 2008 when we partnered on a SXSW day party (which was also in partnership with Transmission who puts on Fun Fun Fun). At the time, I didn't know much about Mike except that he was vegan, a bit of an activist, a local Austin event promoter, and that he was responsible for throwing an annual veggie hot dog eating contest every July 4th in Austin. And it was those reasons that made me immediately want to start working with him and we've stayed in contact each SXSW since, and so there was no way I was missing this special edition of his veggie dog eating contest which was happening right at the festival (not to mention I've seen Best Coast multiple times already, I've seen the Bronx, and I wasn't really planning on catching P.O.S. who was also on at the same time).

yum

And I wasn't alone. A healthy size crowd showed up to view the grossness. Unfortunately there were too many contestants to fit at the table on the stage (forcing them to, at the very last minute with the timer ticking, add a 2nd table in the back for more contestants who couldn't be seen by most of the crowd), and there were a lot of introductions and comedy at the beginning that included getting volunteers from the crowd, plugging local comedy shows and musicians, some guys playing the National Anthem, and all the setup of plates and hot dogs and cups of water (not necessarily how you want to spend your valuable music festival minutes), but all in all (after a bit of anxiety waiting for the actual contest to begin), it was a good time, a rare break from the music for me, and for a worthwhile cause (I think). I (literally) love Mike Litt.

More pictures of the eating contest, metal jean jackets, Suicidal Tendencies, and other sights from Sunday (some which were not covered in the last TWO SUNDAY POSTS), below...