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...

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

by BBG

Devo, Crocodiles, and Dum Dum Girls have all cancelled their appearances at Fun Fun Fun Fest in the past few days. Sucks, yes. But the evil geniuses at the Austin, Texas Festival (November 5-7, 2010) have already drummed up some replacements. New bands include Cults, and Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos (who were originally on the fest, but had to drop off a few weeks ago and were replaced by The Antlers, and now are back but on a different day). Washed Out also recently replaced Cold Cave, and the Nortec Collective was a recent addition too. Oh, and to replace Devo: new headliner Descendents!

"I really can't believe it. The Descendents were one of those bands on my dream list that I thought I would never get to book" Says Graham Williams, FFF Founder. "A week ago, we had no idea what we were going to do, and now we couldn't be more happy".

The show is The Descendents' lone US scheduled appearance, and only appearance before the re-reunited band heads down under in December for some dates in Australia. Get your Fun Fun Fun Fest tickets at their site.

Speaking of Cults, they recently played a gang of shows during CMJ, and their only other show at the moment is with The Morning Benders and Twin Sister at Webster Hall in NYC on 11/18 instead of Oberhofer (tickets).

I'm preparing to head down to Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin next weekend as well, and along with all of the incredible heavy music that's already going on at the festival (Mastodon, Floor, Snapcase, High on Fire, Kylesa, Municipal Waste, Suicidal Tendencies, Hatred Surge, Ringworm... the list is endless) we'll be hosting an event of our own. On Sunday, November 7th BrooklynVegan will host a killer after-party at Red 7 (doors at 9) with incredible secret guests, along with Landmine Marathon, Mammoth Grinder, and Ratking (mems MOoB, Gorilla Biscuits). The show will be FREE to Fun Fun Fun Fest wristband holders and a measly $5 at the door for those of you without.

Not into metal or need something to do on the other nights of that weekend in Austin? Not to worry. Like the lineup of the festival itself, the selection of bands playing other afterparties on each night of the fest is diverse. There are plenty of options including a November 5th Gorilla Vs Bear shindig (also with secret guest), and many more.

BrooklynVegan show flyer, some video of those bands in action, info on the fest's 2010 Circus Stage, and more, below...

Continue reading "the Descendents, Antlers, Cults & a BrooklynVegan afterparty added to Fun Fun Fun Fest!"

ACL 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

October 8-10, 2010 | Zilker Park, Austin, TX

"The Austin City Limits Music Festival began as a modest, two-day event and now, as it enters it's 9th year, has become a perennial American music experience. Taking place at the heart of Austin, Texas in the legendary Zilker Park, ACL Festival has grown to 3 days, 8 stages and over 130 bands."

Tickets go on sale today. The 2010 ACL lineup is below...

Continue reading "Austin City Limits announces 2010 festival lineup (Eagles, Muse, Phish, Strokes, MIA, LCD, Spoon, Gayngs, more) "