Sound On Sound Day Two – Pouya, Big Boi, Beach House

With little to no rain, the sun trying to break through the clouds, and festival attendees pouring through the gates, day two proved another successful day in the forest. There were three artist particularly on my radar for Saturday, including Pouya, Big Boi, and Beach House.

Starting at the Forest Stage for the second day in a row, I was shocked to find somewhat of a bleak crowd formed around the stage. From behind the speakers and light fixtures, and tall lanky white boy emerged onto the stage with the beat following. Pouya performed songs “Growing Pains” and “Energy 2,” which embody a lot of what kids these days are calling “hype.” Towards the end of his performance he told the crowd, “don’t sing, just mosh,” so with body parts flying around in the front, and people bumpin’ in the back, the show came to an end.

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Photo: Charles Hackleman

The next performer on my radar was Big Boi, a rapper best known for being a member of the hip hop duo Outkast, alongside Andre 3000. We’ve all shaken it like a polaroid picture once or twice, but Saturday night I was ready to get down and boogie. Unfortunately, Big Boi conquered the stage later than scheduled, but the wait was well worth it. He performed songs from his duo Outkast including, “B.O.B,” “The Way You Move,” and my personal favorite, “Mrs. Jackson.”

In addition to Big Boi’s notable work with Outkast, he played songs from his collaborative work with Phantogram, titled Big Grams. Although Phantogram was at the festival on day one, Big Boi performed their songs “Lights On” and “Fell In The Sun” solo. During the infectiously catchy song “Drum Machine” the crowd was bouncing, twerking, and shaking what their mama’s gave em’. The energy from the crowd out of control, and it was awesome.

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Photo: Jackie Young

Lastly and slightly later than scheduled, Beach House took the stage. Despite the anxious fans waiting, there’s nothing better than the moment you close your eyes and hear a sea of voices chattering go silent before cheering on an artist to take the stage. The base crept in, and with a steady beat, and the strings of guitars chiming in, Beach House took the stage opening with “Wild.” Beach House embodies a very melodic and soothing sound in many of their songs, creating a wonderful concert experience during songs like “Myth” and “10 Mile Radio.” With lots of swaying and subtle movements around the crowd, the show had a kind of feeling you’d experience while listening to a lullaby. It was breath taking.

Sound On Sound Fest Day One – Setting the Stage

On November 4th, the first day of a new festival, Sound on Sound Fest, kicked off it’s inaugural year in the magical Sherwood Forest. Day one had an excellent line up, highlighting some of my favorite acts including, Clipping, Denzel Curry, Empress Of, Run the Jewels, and Phantogram. However, the fans we’re the real stars of the fest.

The attendees of Sound on Sound are amongst some of the most dedicated festival fans I’ve had the pleasure to fest with. Despite the weather, these people came with open minds, a raincoat, boots, and a tent, to set up camp for the weekend, while others embark on an hour long journey from the city each day.

Prior to the fest, many fans showed concern about the transition from Fun Fun Fun Fest, to this new mysterious festival in the woods. However, I found many attendees blown away with the new venue and set up of the festival.

At a glance, the fest lays on the grounds where an annual renaissance fair is held, so castles turned into stages, and marketplaces turned into eateries. While the map may seem a little spread out and confusing at times, the walk between attractions can be very mystic and mesmerizing with light embellishments hanging from trees, and unused renaissance attractions you can hang out by, like houses, chapels, and fountains. There’s even multiple interactive games to play between your favorite shows! The festival also posses a designated “sober space” where you can kick back before furthering your adventures around the festival.

One of the most respected attributes of the festival was due to the spread out nature of it, which enhanced the quality of each individual stage by allowing enough space between stages, so artists can jam to their full potential without hearing other performers around the fest.

Now, on to day two for another magical day in the forest…see you there!

 

Sound On Sound Fest 2016: Late Knights Schedule Announced

Sound On Sound Fest recently announced their schedule for the Late Knight shows that will go on each night after the festival. These  post-festival shows are great for if you have schedule conflicts during the fest, so you can still see all of your favorite performers. If you want to start planning ahead, check out the venues and schedule below. All shows will be free to anyone with an official Sound On Sound Fest wristband. If you don’t have one yet, snag one here.

14695315_351998335149710_7964925782647401461_nIf you’re anxious for the fest or the Late Knight shows, I highly recommend you check out the Sound on Sound Fest kickoff parties. On November 3rd,  multiple performances will be held at five different venues around Austin, TX, and will also be free to anyone with an official Sound On Sound Fest wristband. I know we’re all stoked to get to the festival, so to ease the wait, hit up the festival pre-game and check out the schedule below!

14955872_356974597985417_1116536926284286188_n-1In addition to the Late Knights and pre-fest celebrations, the creative minds behind the festival have also generously developed an app for a smooth festival experience. The app contains all the set times, a festival map, festival vendor information, and more! The app is available in the App Store as well as Google Play. See you out there!

SOS! Sound On Sound Fest 2016

Festival Season is alive and thriving…The festival that’s currently on my radar is somewhat of the new kid on the block, Sound on Sound Fest! The festival will feature a wide variety of musical guests for fans of all genre types, as well as stand-up comedy, panels, camping, and art. Check out the lineup below to see what notable acts will be visiting Austin the weekend of November 4-6.

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To explain why Sound on Sound is “somewhat of a new kid on the block, is because it’s replacing a festival that used to run on the same weekend in November called Fun Fun Fun Fest. Transmission Events put on Fun Fun Fun Fest for ten years straight. However, with management debacles regarding the Fun Fun Fun festival, management split and manager Graham Williams started a new company, Margin Walker Presents.

Margin Walker Presents is now hosting Sound on Sound Fest November 4-6 in Austin, TX, at the Sherwood Forrest. We’ve fortunately been presented with a new festival and a new venue! Although Fun Fun Fun fest is no longer a thing, I believe the heart and soul of the festival will be carried on, and I can’t wait to find out for myself! Join me at the festivals inaugural year by grabbing passes here. Also, with the official festival schedule recently being released, check out the set times below so you don’t miss your favorite acts!

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See you there!