![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3zxeeGt51qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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Every year around late October and early November, the small town of Gainesville, Florida in the U.S. is invaded by music fans, who indulge in bands within the genres of punk, emo, indie and post hardcore, across several venues. This event, taking place over several days, is called The Fest<\/strong>. Supported by the guys at renowned label No Idea Records, it showcases the finest underground punk related bands on both sides of the Atlantic.<\/p>\n Now in it\u2019s 13th year, The Fest<\/strong> once again will feature a wealth of bands appearing over several venues, not only in Gainesville, from the 31st October to the 2nd November, but also the second edition of Pre-Fest<\/strong> in Ybor, Tampa, from the 29th to the 30th October. Having been fans of the festival for a while, we at Already Heard thought it\u2019d be fitting to recommend our 20 must-see bands at The Fest 13<\/strong> this year!<\/p>\n Hot Water Music Chuck Ragan & The Camaraderie<\/strong> Gnarwolves<\/strong> <\/span>Franz Nicolay <\/span>Mixtapes Broadway Calls<\/strong> Circle Takes the Square Look Mexico Cayetana<\/strong> Captain, We\u2019re Sinking<\/strong> Adventures<\/strong> Lifetime<\/strong> Tiny Moving Parts Coliseum Donovan Wolfington<\/strong> Goodtime Boys<\/strong> Self Defense Family PUP<\/strong> Mineral<\/strong> Paint It Black<\/strong> The Fest 13<\/strong> takes place at Gainesville, Florida in the U.S. from Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November.<\/span><\/p>\n Pre-Fest 2<\/strong> takes places at Ybor (Tampa), Florida in the U.S. on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th October.<\/span><\/p>\n The Fest 13<\/strong> links: Website<\/a>|Facebook<\/a>|Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Words by Antony Lusmore (AL), Dane Wright (DW), Heather Robertson (HR) and Aaron Lohan (AaronL).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Every year around late October and early November, the small town of Gainesville, Florida in the U.S. is invaded by music fans, who indulge in bands within the genres of punk, emo, indie and post hardcore, across several venues. This event, taking place over several days, is called The Fest. Supported by the guys at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8181],"tags":[6786,7669,1501,186,5569,7315,7314,4900,7065,1216,7167,882,7311,2655,5887,5040,7542,184,3067,720,9232,260],"class_list":["post-20281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post","tag-adventures","tag-broadway-calls","tag-captain-were-sinking","tag-cayetana","tag-chuck-ragan","tag-circle-takes-the-square","tag-coliseum","tag-donovan-wolfington","tag-franz-nicolay","tag-gnarwolves","tag-goodtime-boys","tag-hot-water-music","tag-lifetime","tag-look-mexico","tag-mineral","tag-mixtapes","tag-paint-it-black","tag-pup","tag-self-defense-family","tag-the-fest","tag-the-fest-13","tag-tiny-moving-parts"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3zz0LlDy1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>Punk rock veterans have enjoyed a resurgence in the past year or so. After Anti-Flag tore into Sonisphere last month, you can bet that <\/span>Hot Water Music<\/strong> will be doing the same on the other side of the pond. The band is in better form than ever right now and still riding the wave of 2012 record<\/span> \u2018Exister\u2019<\/em>. The next chapter of the <\/span>Hot Water Music<\/strong> saga is yet to be written, but if it comes close to the strength of the band\u2019s recent activity, then we\u2019re all in for a treat. (AL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3kok6pTp1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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You can\u2019t have Hot Water Music<\/strong> without Chuck Ragan<\/strong>, and it\u2019s great to see him with a solo set lined up alongside the band\u2019s Fest<\/strong> performance. There hasn\u2019t been a bum note yet in Ragan<\/strong>\u2019s solo career, and those lucky Fest<\/strong>-bound fans will be incredibly lucky as Ragan<\/strong> gets a chance to showcase the very best work from his entire musical career. (AL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_n8rm7bChyJ1qztcot.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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There are few bands in the world in better form than Gnarwolves<\/strong> right now. At Slam Dunk they were superb, and at 2000 Trees they were magnificent, and stateside they\u2019ll certainly be amongst friends. The trio has never failed to impress on a European stage, but for the south-west quartet American environments are ones that remain largely untapped. For better or worse, that will change at Fest<\/strong>, and you just know that the three-piece won\u2019t hold back in the process. (AL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3uo19bsJ1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>‘Do the Struggle’<\/em> was a largely unappreciated gem amongst the hustle and bustle that was 2012\u2019s quite fantastic musical selection. <\/span>‘To Us, the Beautiful’\u00a0<\/em>is looking set to be just that to 2014. The Brooklyn-based answer to Frank Turner is tucked away amongst the lineup of a superb-looking festival but make no mistake that the multi-instrumentalist musician will be one of the weekend\u2019s big must-sees. If you\u2019re lucky enough to be there, then don\u2019t miss this for the world. If you won\u2019t be at <\/span>Fest<\/strong> this year, then the very next chance to see <\/span>Nicolay<\/strong>, you take. There\u2019s no better advice I could possibly give going into this festival. None at all. (AL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3lkdEVBL1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>Of the countless bands on offer at <\/span>Fest\u00a0<\/strong>this year, none will leave you feeling anywhere near as good as quirky and irrepressibly cheerful as Ohio indie-punks <\/span>Mixtapes<\/strong>. Expect plenty of peppy upbeat jams edged with a side of grungy lo-fi fuzz and playful duelling male\/ female vocals between Ryan and Maura. Having recently announced their hiatus, it makes it more important than ever to catch this band at one of their final shows. Whatever <\/span>Mixtapes<\/strong>\u00a0takes to the <\/span>Fest<\/strong> stage will put on one of the happiest shows on offer on any festival anywhere. (DW)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3ligia2e1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/span>For anyone checking out a preview of Fest<\/strong>, it\u2019s likely that Oregon\u2019s Broadway Calls<\/strong> won\u2019t need too much in the way of introduction. This heart on sleeve punk rock trio will be packing sing-alongs and good times a plenty, and who can resist angsty grungy up-tempo punk rock \u00a0when it\u2019s delivered with as much conviction and infectiousness as Broadway Calls<\/strong> can bring. (DW)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3lu4XUBe1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>The Georgia natives have had a protracted but intense effect on the hardcore scene. Their debut album\u00a0\u2019<\/em><\/span>As The Roots Undo\u2019<\/em> is over a decade old, but the three piece still sound as tight as a drum and thunderous as a tropical storm. Kathleen Stubelek and Drew Speziale\u2019s vocal mix crackles and their guitar and bass fight it out with fast and heavy riffs. Their UK tour with Code Orange Kids last year caused carnage in some intimate venues across the country, while showing off the tracks from their recent album \u2018<\/em><\/span>Decompositions\u2019<\/em>. If you like it sweaty, hot and heavy on the riffs and mosh, then you\u2019ll not want to miss this. (HR)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3pekkZ4j1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>Look Mexico<\/strong> never fail to bring a smile to your face. With their worldly wise lyrics and sunny melodies, they toe the line between insightful and delightful. Their EP <\/span>\u2018Real American Spear It\u2019<\/em> is one of the permanent fixtures in my personal mp3 playing device. With some brilliant pop culture references and ridiculous phrases as song titles like ‘I Go, You Stay, No Following’<\/em>\u00a0and \u2018You Come Into My House, while I Sleep?\u2019<\/em>, it might seem a bit ridiculous at first, but their songs will bring you around. Earlier work takes its cues from 90s emo that would make fans of Mineral and The Promise Ring lose their cool, and later works just embrace their love of pop simplicity and beautiful harmonies without losing any of their ability to churn out a good bass groove or guitar hook. If you love bands you can dance and sing along to, then you\u2019d want to have these guys on your list. (HR)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3ph49b5B1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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Cayetana<\/strong> are my favourite current band I\u2019m yet to see. After narrowly (it wasn\u2019t even narrowly really) missing them at last years Fest<\/strong> due to venue over capacity, it\u2019s with great pleasure that this is the year I choose not to drink four loko again, and make it in time to watch them play. Their EP ‘Hot Dad Calendar’<\/em> released this year has just exploded. They\u2019ve recorded, and are soon to release a new record, toured with The Menzingers, and there\u2019s no stopping them there. Seriously, if you want to see this band, then get down in time to whichever venue it may be. Do not hesitate, grab a beer in the venue, leave your friends, this is important. (RK)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3plinqRm1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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I first saw Captain, We\u2019re Sinking<\/strong> at Fest 10 and thinking back, they were playing 1982\u2019s, and I was half watching, half playing video games (seriously, we need a place like this in the UK). Fast forward a year or so later and their full length ‘The Future Is Cancelled’<\/em> comes out, and I don\u2019t stop listening to it. I mean, I still haven\u2019t stopped in all honesty. Last year they played my favourite set of Fest<\/strong>. Drunkenly at 1am, just how we like it. In all seriousness though, this band are really underrated in my opinion and if you\u2019re going to see them anywhere, you should really make it at Fest<\/strong>. (RK)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3y1o5Gxb1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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Adventures<\/strong>,for me, kind of came out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Both EPs are spectacular and watching them last year only furthered my appreciation for them. I\u2019m biding the time until they visit our shores, but really I think it won\u2019t be relatively soon and to miss an opportunity such as seeing them at Fest<\/strong> would be downright dumb. (RK)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3y9sFGWz1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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I don\u2019t think I need to say too much here. Lifetime<\/strong>\u2026 are, well, Lifetime<\/strong> for god\u2019s sake! If you\u2019re going to watch your favourite band of all time (as they are mine) I couldn\u2019t think of a better set up. Sun, beer, every single person in the room feeling exactly the same as you. After missing out with them not playing Fest<\/strong> 10 in the end, this is my year, and should be yours. If you want to feel the community of Fest<\/strong> as a whole, just turn and look around you, and this goes for whoever you watch really. You\u2019re surrounded by people who just love it as much as you, and it\u2019s something sincerely special. (RK)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3ycpel8u1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>If there\u2019s one band that we\u2019re excited to see at Fest<\/strong>, then its Benson, Minnesota trio Tiny Moving Parts<\/strong>. They bring their own spin on the emotive post hardcore style; sweetly poetic lyrics, twiddley guitar parts full of whimsy, and a cathartic, but bright mood. Last year\u2019s \u2018This Couch Is Long & Full of Friendship\u2019<\/em> was a delightful surprise and the only evidence you need is to go view their set. Still not convinced? Well, you should also look to their recently released split with Old Gray (who\u2019re also attending Fest<\/strong> this year). The two songs on that record, \u2018Swimming Lessons\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Fair Trade\u2019<\/em>, exhibit the serene heart wrenching quality of the trio. Furthermore, they\u2019ve got a new album coming up called ‘Pleasant Living’<\/em>, and based on it\u2019s first single ‘Always Focused’<\/em>, the rest of this material is sure to sound amazing live.\u00a0Tiny Moving Parts<\/strong>\u00a0are a breath of fresh air in a genre bordering on over saturation; not to be missed! (AaronL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3yldVoQC1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>In their early beginnings, Louisville, Kentucky band Coliseum<\/strong> were a bulldozing hardcore outfit of blistering proportions. Their recent offerings however, including 2010\u2019s \u2018House with a Curse\u2019<\/em> and last year\u2019s \u2018Sister Faith\u2019<\/em>, has led them to become a stylistically different band. The gritty punk prowess still lies within, yet they\u2019ve moulded themselves with subtle post punk broodiness, with an added drop of melody. Playing an exclusive show at this year\u2019s Fest<\/strong>, Coliseum<\/strong> are sure to have a strong presence for must see live band. You\u2019d be a fool not to see them, as it\u2019s likely they\u2019ll not only play their recent explorative post hardcore material, but also the trudging hardcore punk that kick started them off. Their set will commemorate not only the future, but also the past, since it\u2019s the tenth anniversary of their self-titled debut LP, whose reissue will be available on Deathwish, Inc. later this month. Speaking of Deathwish, with the trio re-joining their old label, there could also be a chance that new material may surface; that is speculation at this point. What isn\u2019t speculation is the need for you to see this band at Fest 13<\/strong> this year! (AaronL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3yma2f941qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, Donovan Wolfington<\/strong> were a lovely surprise for the ears last year when they released debut \u2018Stop Breathing\u2019<\/em>. The quintet\u2019s sound is a culmination of different styles, wrapped in a neatly adoring package. In one moment, you\u2019ll be whisked away in a dreamy, summery indie rock aura; the next will take you off guard via pedantically fuelled post hardcore. \u00a0We gave new EP and Topshelf debut \u2018Scary Stories You Tell in the Dark\u2019<\/em> a 5 out of 5 rating<\/a>, so of course we\u2019ll be checking out this charming lot at Fest<\/strong> this year. Without a doubt, Donovan Wolfington<\/strong> are a breath of fresh addictive air as far as new bands go, therefore it\u2019s highly recommended that you indulge in them and get high off of the euphoria! (AaronL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3ynaDkBx1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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After years of hard work and touring since their inception, this year saw Goodtime Boys<\/strong> finally release their debut album. \u2018Rain\u2019<\/em> is an utterly sublime piece of work; it is an album full of grit and a lot of heart. Not only that, but they\u2019ve finally made material which slots in well with their incredible live performances. This post hardcore troupe has built, and continues to build, an inspirational legacy that will incite a creative spark with many aspiring musicians. Out of all the British bands playing Fest 13<\/strong>, I insist that you witness a Goodtime Boys<\/strong> show as you\u2019ll get a lot out of it, emotionally and intellectually; you won\u2019t regret it! (AaronL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3yp3LjFx1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/strong>This next band we recommend is a collective of musicians who need no introduction at this point. Self Defense Family<\/strong> have a vast discography to their name, plus an enigmatic sensibility to how they run as an outfit. Latest album \u2018Try Me\u2019<\/em>is a fine example of this, but to understand the band\u2019s peculiar nature you\u2019d have to see them live. They create a wall of post punk noise, teetering between subtlety and intensity. All the while, the strained vocals by Patrick Kindlon convey lyrics with an imagination for detailed imagery. If you\u2019re looking for an odd yet endearing spectacle to view over the Fest<\/strong> weekend, then Self Defense Family<\/strong> will definitely fulfil your needs. (AaronL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3z30kwrl1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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\u201cBAAAM!\u201d If you know your sitcoms, then you\u2019ll know that\u2019s a quote from Trailer Park Boys, a Canadian cult TV show. And that ties in with this next band, PUP<\/strong>, who also come from Canada, and right now is the finest musical commodity to come from there this past year. It\u2019s difficult to pin point bands to compare them to\u2026but that\u2019s all petty nonsense, especially as they sound fantastic! Beefy, yet whimsical punk rock riffs, accompanied by catchy melodious choruses; this is a formula that sounds like it would be a brilliant prospect in the live setting. Word of mouth has claimed this to be a fact, so it makes total sense to add PUP<\/strong> on the must-watch list over the Fest 13<\/strong> weekend! (AaronL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3z4iz0b41qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/span>Well no one expected this to happen (or some probably did?). Texan emo luminaries <\/span>Mineral<\/strong> recently announced their reformation seventeen years after their break up. <\/span>Fest 13<\/strong> is one of the dates the band will do on their reunion tour across the U.S., playing to two generations of fans, young and old. Their brand of reflective indie rock has influenced a wealth of bands within the genres of punk, emo, indie and alternative. Therefore, you should follow your curiousity and indulge in all the brooding emotion which will swell within the yet to be announced venue they\u2019ll be playing. \u00a0(AaronL)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"image\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/tumblr_inline_na3z51Tt1V1qheirv.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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This is the second band on this list to feature Dan Yemin\u2026but that\u2019s of secondary importance, as what matters is the delivery of the music itself. Of course, it goes without saying that Paint It Black<\/strong> are one of the top five best American hardcore bands of the last decade! The lyrics are intelligently on point; the delivery is furious whilst retaining gritty melodies; and the choruses are the most memorable to boot. This makes up for all the perfect ingredients for an incredible live band. What do you have to lose? Nothing that\u2019s what! See this band, open your mind, sing (or shout) along and have fun, because Paint It Black<\/strong> are one band you can\u2019t afford to miss at Fest<\/strong> this year. (AaronL)
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