Though it might sound like a drab cliché, the notion of unpredictability permeates throughout Gainesville, FL every Fest weekend. With that many people in one place--and perhaps more importantly, with that many musicians in one place--there are always secret, impromptu or otherwise unsanctioned shows happening in houses, hotel rooms, warehouses, parking lots or junkyards, whether the Fest organizers want them to take place or not (they don't). And more often than not, these performances shape the Fest experiences of many just as much, if not more than the actual shows that happen in actual venues. As The Fest 10 rapidly approaches (and with several "mystery bands" on the official lineup), we take a look at Fests past and recall some of the most memorable shows that required all in attendance to know someone who knows someone.
You can click below to check out the list. Be sure to share your favorites, listed here or not, in the comments section.
Off With Their Heads' secret drop-in at the Atlantic (Fest 9)
The Fest crowd had been buzzing all weekend about the possibility of Off With Their Heads showing up for an unscheduled secret show. "They will/they won't" messages seemed to be flying all over, notably led by the band and Fest organizers themselves. Finally, during Bridge & Tunnel's set, it was announced that yes, in fact, OWTH would play at the Atlantic, and to get over there. The line was perhaps the most excruciating of the weekend, with people appearing and finding friends always ahead of you, so it moved backward more than forward. Finally, though, for those lucky fans who got in, the band took the stage and tore through their Hospitals EP front-to-back, and the crowd ate it up. The buzz, the frustration, and the excitement definitely made this a fantastic Fest experience. --John Flynn
Frank Turner's impromptu parking lot jam (Fest 9)
Heading into the final day of Fest 9, rumors began to quickly spread that Frank Turner would be playing an after-hours show in the lobby of the Holiday Inn. Frank performed the final set of Sunday night at 8 Seconds which included highlights like the live debut of "Glory Hallelujah" (which would end up on Turner's next full-length, England Keep My Bones) and him coercing Fat Mike into joining him for an acoustic rendition of "Linoleum." As the night wound down and the realization that the Holiday Inn staff could not accommodate (or tolerate) a crowd the size of which Frank would draw became apparent, the event was called off. Frank, being Frank, ordered those in attendance to find the nearest parking lot after the show. A few hundred people poured into the lot across the street from the venue where they were met by the Englishman who graced the group with two of his own songs. His third song, a cover of Blink 182âs "Dammit," was cut short as the Gainesville Police Department dispersed the crowd with helpful advice like, "If you want to keep drinking, you better go before beer sales end." --Eric S. Mace
Fake Problems, Broadway Calls, and Mixtapes play the Holiday Inn lobby (Fest 9)
Fest 9, as with previous fests, saw many shows take place at the Holiday Inn. Though what separates this show from other Holiday Inn shows, aside from the amazing line up, was that it was one of the few shows to take place in the Holiday Inn lobby as opposed to a hotel room. The show in question featured Fake Problems, Broadway Calls, Mixtapes, Blacklist Royals, and Elway (at the time known as 10-4 Eleanor). Fake Problems started off the night by playing a solid mix of old and new songs that pleased the crowd Then came Broadway Calls who played a solid set of sing alongs that even included a Comadre cover. Blacklist Royals immediately took the desk following Broadway Calls--the show was at a desk in the lobby--and played about four songs. After a few minutes of deciding who would go next Mixtapes came up to play a quick set; at the time I was unfamiliar with the band but I definitely enjoyed them. They're just so damn adorable! Finally, Tim of Elway came to play a set of all covers. He decided to go this route as he assumed none of those in attendance was familiar with his band and he preferred not to bore them. No offense to the other bands but Elway stole the show with his set of covers which included songs by Dead to Me, the Lawrence Arms, Descendents, and Hot Water Music just to name a few. Overall, it was one of the best shows I have ever seen at Fest and that is saying something! --Armando Olivas
Paint It Black set up a uHaul, chaos ensues (Fest 7)
On Halloween night 2008, a mysterious U-Haul backed into one of the parking lots of Fest 7. Although no announcements, flyers, or posters had been dispatched, some 500 attendees surrounded the back of the truck. Whispers turned to shouts and text messages led to videotaping. Suddenly, the truck's gate slid open revealing one of hardcore's most explosive bands, Paint It Black. Soon, PiB vocalist Dan Yemin pulled himself onto the back of the truck and began to lead the audience in what can only be described as a war chant. As the momentum built, the band erupted into their signature scream/thrash attack. So intense was the release of energy that the truck itself was swarmed by Festgoers, who overran the band in excitement like lemmings running over an edge, thus ending the surprise show after mere moments. How long does it take to put on an awesome show? Apparently 14 seconds. [I also invite the Punknews readership to savior in the concept of Dan Yemin and and rest of PiB driving around town in a Rock 'n' Roll U-Haul.] --John Gentile
Crime In Stereo perform at the Fail Safe Warehouse (Fest 8)
It was 2009. Long Island natives Crime in Stereo was making its way down the East Coast on that year's Bridge 9 tour, stopping in Gainesville to play its first Fest. The whole tour package (Polar Bear Club, Ruiner and Strike Anywhere) made respective appearances on October 30, with CIS playing at 1982 earlier that afternoon. The first day of Fest 8 was coming to a close and as the last bands were wrapping up at the scheduled venues, first-time Festgoer Taylor Nathe got a text message about a warehouse show that CIS was playing three miles away. "I was never a huge fan of Crime In Stereo or anything but have always liked them," Nathe says, likely echoing the sentiments of many others who had heard about the show.
Technology and the crammed backseats of cars moved enough people that by the time CIS set up, the Fail Safe Records warehouse on NW 74th Place was packed. It was between albums for CIS. The buzz around genre-shattering Is Dead was waning and they had yet to release I Was Trying To Describe You To Someone, an album that would eventually become the bandâs last. Their high-energy performance at the warehouse that night that made Nathe more of a fan than he was before would also mark their last Fest show of any kind. The band announced their break-up in August 2010. --Emma Hernandez