The Fest That Never Was, featuring dozens of bands from across the globe, will be livestreamed on Facebook and Twitch this Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. And Orlando’s Caffiends, Cool Grandma and Tierney Tough are all set to beam in at various points in the shindig.
Starting at noon, the free 11-hour virtual event promises live music, stories of Fest glories past, a dance party, costumes and, as the organizers put it, “all types of weird shit.” Almost like the real thing.
In an alternative universe not plagued by a ruthless pandemic and astonishingly incompetent elected leaders (looking at you, Ronnie D), thousands of punks from across the globe would converge upon Gainesville, Florida, this weekend, the perfectly unlikely place for the annual festival. But alas, the surprise sets, Fest punch, and mosh pits will have to wait.
The IRL FEST 19 has already been rescheduled for next October, and features some iconic acts like Gorilla Biscuits and Cursive.
In the meantime, The Fest That Never Was offers fleeting yet desperately needed joy. Punks look after each other, whether it’s in the pit or in the grips of a global pandemic with seemingly no end in sight. So wear your mask, vote like your life depends on it, and tune in to The Fest That Never Was this weekend.
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This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2020.