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Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley Plaza, named for the influential musician and one-time Gainesville resident. While Fest is always adapting, it has consistently maintained a "built by us" DIY element even as it spans throughout downtown and has achieved city approval. As long-time Fest attendees, we wanted to hear more about how the Fest team turns a city park into a main venue that's loud and vibrant for 4 nights a year, but is mostly chill for the other 360-some days of the year. The Bouncing Souls playing at Bo Diddley Plaza (Photo: Andy Stern) Scene Point Blank: As I understand it, Fest builds up everything except the literal, permanent stage at Bo Diddley Plaza. Is that correct? And what does that mean? Jason Rockhill: We had to create a venue out of just an open field and a bandshell. We have been tweaking it over the years and adding little bells and whistles but, for the most part, Bo Diddley Plaza is a city block in the middle of Gainesville, Florida. It's envisioned as a place where bands play with a lot of free events. But to set it up where you can serve alcohol and you're charging admission and you're trying to keep … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #1

Music / New Kids On The Block • September 14, 2025

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out … Read more

Sell The Heart Records – History 101

Music / History 101 • August 3, 2025

Like most independent labels, Sell The Heart started to document a scene without really asking themselves “Where do you see … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2025)

Music • July 6, 2025

We're halfway through the year: when did that happen?! Luckily for you, SPB is on hand to share the music … Read more

Latest album reviews browse all

Menace Ruine

The Color of the Grave Is Green
Union Finale Records (2025)

One of the most unique voices in extreme music, Menace Ruine stand out in their sonic evolution. The duo of Geneviève Beaulieu and Steve de la Moth started out in a raw, uncompromising fashion, merging black metal and industrial to create absolute havoc in Cult of Ruins and The Die is Cast. In the coming years, they would expand this … Read more

Extortionist

Stare Into The Seething Wounds
Unique Leader (2025)

With a band name like Extortionist, you instantly know they aren’t messing around. I’ve watched enough true crime documentaries to know when you’re going to get tangled up with someone you shouldn’t. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this band gives you exactly what you want and expect – raw, merciless and unforgiving music. Looking at the cover art and their … Read more

The Carolyn

Pyramid Scheme of Grief
59X, Disconnect/Disconnect (2025)

This is one of my "find" records of the year so far. I caught a few songs by The Carolyn at FEST 22 and that essentially put them on my radar, but a new record gets a band even more on my radar. But I've been struggling on how to describe The Carolyn. I'll start with "like The Lawrence Arms, … Read more

Angel Face

Out In The Street
Slovenly (2025)

Slovenly calls this JAPANPUNK. My preliminary google search of this portmanteau didn’t come up with much but I already know Angel Face features Fink from noisey ’90s Japanese garage rockers Teengenerate. I also learned that some people consider them a supergroup as members also previously played in other bands like Fadeaways, Raydios, Ruler, Triple Junk and Firestarter, none of whom … Read more

Additional album reviews

Neutral Snap

I Hardly Know Her
Independent (2025)

Let’s get formally introduced to the underground and independent band Neutral Snap. They are an upcoming pop punk/emo band from New Orleans that have been around since 2018. Or maybe … Read more

To The Grave

Still
Unique Leader (2025)

Coming from Australia, To The Grave bring their brutal vegan deathcore offering Still to fans worldwide. This EP punches you right in the gut with seven tracks of horror infused … Read more

La Dispute

No One Was Driving The Car
Epitaph (2025)

Occasionally bands will surpass being musicians and become artists. La Dispute aren’t making music. They’re making art. The band returns after six years with their self-produced 14 track, full-length, No … Read more

Dying Wish

Flesh Stays Together
Sharptone (2025)

From their hardcore days to their newer, progressing sound on Flesh Stays Together, Dying Wish has been inching toward something sharper, more spectral, more personal. Not just lyrically, but also … Read more

Sam Russo

Hold You Hard
Red Scare Industries (2025)

Art is subjective -- and sometimes it's curious what appeals to you. Hold You Hard is the latest from solo songwriter Sam Russo about travel, memory, and experience. There are … Read more

Spite House

Desertion
Pure Noise (2025)

Spite House is a post-hardcore band based out of Montreal dropping their second record titled ”Desertion on Pure Noise Records. This is a follow up to their self-titled 2022 album … Read more

Bad Cop Bad Cop

Lighten Up
Fat Wreck Chords, Hopeless (2025)

If you haven’t heard of the Southern Californian band Bad Cop Bad Cop, then you are truly missing out on a top tier, female punk powerhouse. They sit at the … Read more

xNullifyx

xNullifyx
New Morality Zine (2025)

I love almost all genres of music, but hardcore has always been towards the top for me. I love the intensity, the passion, and typically the message that is conveyed. … Read more

News headlines browse all

SPB featured stream: william h. travis - ruby

Posted in Records on October 3, 2025

Sometimes the singer-songwriter thing puts too much on the table. At SPB, we like a little bit of mystery, which ties into our newest featured stream, Ruby by william h. travis. william h. travis may or may not be an individual -- the project from Bethlehem, PA describes itself as … Read more

Endless Mike & the Beagle Club new album

Posted in Records on October 17, 2025

Described as “a singer/songwriter with a very loud punk rock band” in an unattributed quote, six-piece punker/songwriter band Endless Mike & the Beagle Club has a new album out tomorrow, … Read more

Dropkick Murphys For The People & St. Patrick's Day

Posted in Tours on October 16, 2025

October 14, 2025 Announce For The People... In The Pit St. Patrick’s Day Tour with Support From The Aggrolites & Haywire Commences February 9 in Portland, ME & Ends with … Read more

The Brokedowns unleash Alpha Dog Serum X

Posted in Records on October 16, 2025

After circulating rumors all year, Red Scare Industries will be officially releasing a new album from Chicagoland punk band The Brokedowns on Nov. 21, Let's Tip The Landlord, with 13 … Read more

Excommunication Hymns by Spiritiste

Posted in Records on October 16, 2025

Spiritiste, from Baton Rouge, LA, has announced their debut album Excommunicationn Hymns, coming out as a joint release between Protagonist Music and Tor Johnson Records on Oct. 31. The band … Read more

A double album from ZU is on the way

Posted in Records on October 15, 2025

ZU, the instrumental trio from Italy, has a new double album on the way, Ferrum Sidereum ("Iron of the Stars") set for release on Jan. 9, 2026 on House of … Read more

Lamp of Murmuur: new song, new album

Posted in Records on October 15, 2025

Lamp of Murmuur is preparing for the release of the project's fourth album, The Dreaming Prince in Ectasy, coming out Nov. 14 on Wolves of Hades. A new single is … Read more

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