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Finally, we arrive at our main destination in Gainesville, FL for day 1 of the annual Fest<\/strong>. Now in its thirteenth edition, we make our way to the High Dive for our first few bands beginning with LVL UP<\/strong> from Purchase, NY. These slacker punks combine Pavement aesthetics with early Smashing Pumpkins psychedelica. It\u2019s a cool combination on paper, and the quartet makes it work in some parts, they\u2019re compact in their delivery. However, I can\u2019t help but feel a little tedious at times. The fuzz is chewable, but my eyes drift a little to my own day dreams. LVL UP<\/strong> is a mixed affair though they\u2019re only getting started, so let\u2019s see what they can improve on from here.<\/p>\n Playing their final date of what has probably been an exciting first tour in America; Nai Harvest<\/strong> set the record straight that their fans can \u201cdo what they want\u201d. I imagine there are limits. Anyway, back to the performance at hand. Their audience take in all the fuzz that this Sheffield duo has to offer. \u2018Rush\u2019<\/em> lives up to its namesake as the band play with energetic fervour, whilst \u2018Hold Open My Head\u2019<\/em> has a feel good indie chorus you can\u2019t hold down. The biggest reaction comes when the band play old indie emo tunes such as \u2018Floor\u2019<\/em>, provoking a tidal surge in the crowd centre. Two new songs from their upcoming second LP see the light of day; they showcase the band\u2019s full formed transformation into a reverb fuelled indie rock act. All in all, it\u2019s a solidly good performance; all that remains is whether the duo can outdo themselves from here.<\/p>\n The next act at High Dive is arguably one of the breakout acts of 2014, I shit you not (pardon my language). Since they dropped \u2018Home, Like Noplace Is There\u2019<\/em>, The Hotelier<\/strong> have had people weeping at their feet. The emotionally tense delivery on show matches what people have lusted after on the record. For example, the strutted opening chords leading into \u2018Your Deep Rest\u2019<\/em> is played with such utter intensity that you can\u2019t quite make sense of all things. Happiness, sadness, confusion\u2026these are all just words. The Hotelier<\/strong> rigorously deserves all the applauses this early evening, and by golly, you\u2019d have to be really unlucky not to witness it.<\/p>\n We now leave the sadness at High Dive to the anger growing at 8 Seconds. We manage to catch the last 10 minutes of Night Birds<\/strong>. Their tenacious although repetitive 80s style hardcore punk is fairly fun to watch. It provides a stern simmering for legendary hardcore punks Paint It Black<\/strong>, who from the word go roll out the most furious set we\u2019ve seen so far. Dan Yemin\u2019s ear throttling yells feel like sandpaper to drum skin, so satisfyingly rough to the touch. You\u2019d be a madman to want to get to the front as it looks like a vulture\u2019s feast from where we\u2019re standing. On the other hand, the melodic filled rage in \u2018Pink Slip\u2019<\/em> and Andy Nelson\u2019s throat grabbing bass in \u2018Past Tense, Future Perfect\u2019<\/em> has the same effect of a siren\u2019s call. These songs lure you to a fist pumping journey to the end, justifying Paint It Black<\/strong>\u2019s terrific stage presence.<\/p>\n Backtracking our way to the High Dive, we seek to revel in the soulful post rock\/emo of Foxing<\/strong>. Last year\u2019s debut album \u2018The Albatross\u2019<\/em> was a refreshing listen, so it was fulfilling to watch them play live for the first time. Costumed as the Mighty Ducks, Foxing <\/strong>perform gentle, fragile music in a sprightly way. This energy is eaten up by their audience who give in to the band\u2019s alluring pedanticism. Credit to frontman Conor Murphy for orchestrating this unison; his nervously confident presence causes a powerful intimacy as he dances lightly with mic and horn. Meanwhile, the rest of the band are classically trained aficionados in combining post rock grandeur with twinkly indie feeling. The way tracks like \u2018The Medic\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Rory\u2019<\/em> are delivered, from calm to tempest, are a thrilling sight for the eyes. In summary, Foxing<\/strong> are a highlight of the festival for sure!<\/p>\n We move onward now to Loosey\u2019s, a bar across the road from 8 Seconds, for a few more pints and a band or two. First up we manage to catch Philly alt punks Address<\/strong>, whose music sounds suited to this environment, defining the term \u2018pub rock band\u2019. The question here are Address<\/strong> actually any good? In this writer\u2019s opinion not really. I feel more inclined to look at my iPod touch than watch an uninspiring performance. There are a few in the room who get it, but my attention wanes. By the time San Jose\u2019s Hard Girls<\/strong> begin, I suddenly feel lifted and refreshed. Hard Girls<\/strong> play with a timeless spirit that doesn\u2019t wear out. The melodically layered noise and indie punk tenacity prevail in this small bar, encapsulating the trio\u2019s feverous ambition. I for one am sold by it; here\u2019s to hoping Hard Girls<\/strong> get more recognition in the coming months.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been five years since their last album \u2018Iron Front\u2019<\/em>, but Strike Anywhere<\/strong> remind everyone tonight of their existence. What we witness is a punk union manifesting at the front, echoing feelings of rage and hope against a turbulent system. The band plays with passion, expressing their dissatisfaction in the best way a political punk group can. Frontman Thomas Barnett raises the torch, leading the way through \u201cwoahs\u201d and addictive choruses. Admittedly, songs like \u2018Sunset on 32nd<\/sup>\u2019<\/em> and \u2018To the World\u2019 <\/em>squeeze your blood vessels with anthemic seizures. It\u2019s a tight affair to watch, even though I can\u2019t help but feel like something\u2019s missing. Sure, the sound hasn\u2019t been perfect at 8 Seconds. On the other hand though, maybe the band\u2019s lack of activity in recent years has probably affected the performance impact somewhat. Regardless, my knit picking is contrasted by the ecstatic reaction of the crowd.<\/p>\n Capping off a rousing first day, Touch<\/strong>\u00e9<\/strong> Amor<\/strong>\u00e9<\/strong> spring into cathartically strong fashion dressed a ghosts. Opening with \u2018Tilde\u2019<\/em>, the band proves forevermore why they\u2019re one of the best live bands on the planet right now. The drumming powerhouse that is Elliot Babin sends shockwaves across the hall of 8 Seconds, taking Jeremy Bolm\u2019s screams and the melody with it. Such methods achieve amazing results as the crowd coherently connects with the band in the most intimate way. This can\u2019t work however on the music alone; the poignant words written by Bolm seals the deal. \u2018Is Survived By\u2019<\/em>, \u2018Gravity, Metaphorically\u2019<\/em> and \u2018And Now It\u2019s Happening in Mine\u2019<\/em> are all strong examples of an intensifying combo of superb musicianship and touching lyricism. This ultimately reaches a serene and accomplished conclusion at \u2018Honest Sleep\u2019<\/em>; we\u2019ll definitely be losing sleep after being in awe of that spectacle.<\/p>\n View more of Already Heard<\/b>’s coverage from The Fest !3<\/b> here<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n