The name Tony Weinbender is one that should be revered with that of legends. Beside him being a wonderful conversationalist, family man — he is also the figurehead and driving force behind the southeast’s largest punk attraction: FEST. It is an event that takes over almost a dozen venues in downtown Gainesville, Florida every year with a staff of nearly 600 people between volunteers and crew and boasts a lineup of hundreds of artists.
FEST is on its 21st year and 20th installation in 2022, we talk to Weinbender about what makes the event so special after two decades of work:
“I really try to treat FEST as a year-to-year project. We for sure learn more and more each year on how to run it a little smoother and fill the cracks in the old foundation, but I think as long as attendees and bands leave happy and healthy; then collectively, we kicked ass.
“I never really have this ambition to make FEST ‘bigger’ but, just to maintain the course and hope we are able to look back after all the hard work and think that we pulled something off that made a positive impact on the folks involved and Gainesville as a whole…
“I think what sets FEST apart is that we really try to make it all about the attendees. We treat everyone on the same level and just try to showcase the best parts of the DIY scene and Gainesville.”
Over that span of time and with that amount of people, artists, and creative energy, some really wild things happened. You see bands like Against Me! playing with more audience members on stage than on the floor or Paint It Black attempting (and failing) to do a pop-up show in a U-Haul.
Or, most memorably for Weinbender, Hawks & Doves transforming into a surprise Planes Mistaken For Stars reunion. There are also countless attempts at ordering pizza to venues by patrons and artists alike, some which ended up more successful than others.
The one thing that has facilitated that unrivaled experience is the supportive attitude of everyone involved in the festival and the countless hours that go into building everything and curating such a monstrous lineup.
“I have a really, really long Google spreadsheet, so I start making a list of bands we wanna invite back, bands who might not have been able to play the previous year who we wanna make room for, some crazy reunion ideas that may or may not pan out, and the thousands of emails requests to filter through…
“Back in the early days, bands would actually mail in demos, press kits, etc. We would have piles in the No Idea house that we would spend evenings with cheap beer and cheaper whiskey cracking open packages and having listening parties.”
Aside from FEST being about art and experience, it would be nothing without its community. From Sean at the infamous Hot Dog Cart to the venues all within walking distance of one another, the Gainesville DIY scene is something that inspired Weinbender in the beginning and still inspires him to this day.
“I think Gainesville is the ideal spot for FEST for many reasons. There was such a great Southern scene here that was built on the principle of taking care of out-of-towners first and foremost… In the end, I think it just comes down to the fact that Gainesville is just a small town with a small, loving, scene, so everyone involved really appreciates it when bands come through and especially when FEST happens.
I think what sets FEST apart is that we really try to make it all about the attendees… In the end, we are not a big “production” company, but just a big family of punks that truly love the bands and the scene that spawned from it.”
FEST is a mecca for up-and-comers and established veterans alike. Whether it’s your first time or 20th, you will be welcomed with open arms to the beautiful city of Gainesville. If you are in a band and want to get onto the festival, fear not, as they are always on the lookout. To make it even more possible for you, Weinbender decided to share a few tips for how.
“1. First and foremost, I have to like the music.
2. We also usually ask other bands about them that we know from their area. Kinda see if they are good folks or total tools.
3. Does it even “fit” into the FEST vibe? You would be shocked at some of the submissions we get sent and it’s like “Where the fuck am I supposed to put a 20-person Irish step show?” It’s also nice to try to see how active of a band they are, check out their socials and see if they actually are playing shows, helping out their scene, or sitting on a 10-year-old record.
4. One of the best things is when FEST alumni bands send us suggestions of new bands they know about. Usually that checks all the boxes and ends up being long lasting FEST alumni…
And lastly, “Playing FEST would be awesome but it’s not the be-all-end-all for you being a band. Work on helping your scene and helping touring bands by putting on or playing shows in your town.”
The future of FEST is bright, and full of promise. It takes place for its 20th installation from October 28 to 30, 2022 in Gainesville. You can check out more information and get tickets at thefestfl.com.
For more from FEST, check out its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Photos courtesy of Tony Weinbender and FEST
