this year was such a success. we almost doubled the turn out from last year! over 1300 paid throughout the weekend. every band got paid, and most of them got paid more than what we budgeted or what bands were expecting. i am very proud to be able to say that. what i am most proud of is how fun the weekend was. how low key and low maintenance everything was. 1300 people and we didnt have any fights?! the nw has a great thing going. the smoke cleared and we had a huge pile of broken microphones, a broken windshield, some broken hands and bloody foreheads and some weirdo's having sex in a really gross bathroom. i can't complain about any of it though.
from the beginning the three of us were aiming really big. we wanted to be diverse and we all set off in different directions. ringworm was this sort of funny thing we laughed about. andy rice had already been sending some of his bands are way and i asked him to get in touch. we just started laughing when he got back to us and said they might be interested. the whole fest was a blast but ringworm made it all worth it. the ringworm guys didnt have a clue what to expect and people lost their shit. their set was so relentless. so many people limping away through the crowd. all of those guys had such a good time out here. they hung out and watched bands, got hammered and had the best attitudes.
I tried to watch as many bands as i could. i was doing a lot of running around and trying to focus on my bands sets while taking care of everything imaginable. i felt really good about all the bands i got to put on the fest. some really wild reactions when i had no idea what to expect. friday i was just nervous. like really nervous. and than i saw it..
...it went down the street in every direction. there were kids coming out of every street and alleyway. it was kind of an amazing thing to see. my friends and i just did this thing...and all these people showed up for it.
i dont think akimbo has ever had that many kids hc dancing. they were freaked out and it ruled. owen hart had a really silly set planned and i couldn't tell what was going on but look at this video?! i was nervous for himsa because of how different they were from other bands playing the fest but they had a huge set. i was really excited for those guys. outbreaks set was mayhem. an endless pile of moving fuckups trying to beat the shit out each other and the band.
saturday was exhausting. it was the longest day and 90 degrees outside. inside was a mess. we had to pop out the ceiling tiles to try and move the air. it worked...a little. insubordinate kicked shit into gear. they had one of the wildest reactions the whole day. they released their lp at the fest and it looks and sounds great. rev should be carrying it soon so keep a look out. sojourner, pressure, president kennedy is assassinated... those sets were from another planet. the nw loves pressure. i just toured with those guys and nowhere but the nw do kids lose it that hard. RINGWORM. this band falls into its own category. they are one if not the hardest bands that has ever walked this earth. they are from hell.
sunday was glorious. i woke up and looked outside and thought..."today i dont give a fuck." andy and i showed up early to set up and started drinking by noon. i officially just hung out and watched bands. kicked it with friends. ate awesome bbq and had a great time. skin like iron played a great set. people werent really ready for them. they are pretty out there but other than ringworm this was one of my favorite things i brought to the table. black breath is blowing up. there set just got crazier and crazier. this band is going to be the next thing. when the inevitable rainfest dvd drops it will be worth picking up just to watch their set. hostage calm is a band that hasnt really broke yet but i was really excited for them to play this year. they were one of the first bands i asked and it was really great they made it up here.
paint it black and dangers had great sets. the nw is dangers home away from home. it is a creepy religious experience to watch that band up here. they posted a video of their set on their website
barricade was a really weird experience. i was just glad to be done with the set. it felt good being behind the drums playing hardcore again. some photographer stepped on my glasses that were sitting in my hat. jerk. ceremony closed out the night and it was bloody. the ceiling was broken. the microphones were broken. the whole thing ended in pandemonium. i was way to out of it to do anything but nod my head. and thats how it ended. stay tuned. next year will be bigger and better.
-skiff
