11
Lemuria @ FEST 8 10.31.09
Fest Veterans (11 times!)
It is no secret that I love Lemuria and am hoping for a reunion one of these days! I have this photo framed and hanging in my dining room because it makes me so happy to see Sheena smiling while rocking the faces out of a packed smiling room at Common Grounds. One of those photos that captures the essence of Fest for me.
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
12
Night Witch @ FEST 14 11.1.15
Fest Veteran & Playing FEST 21!
Watching Night Witch is a cathartic experience. I have loved seeing this band evolve and grow over the years. And, even though the music is cathartic, it is also fun. Capturing this moment from their set at FEST 14 in a packed show where everyone is up front and singing along captures the mood and why you should make seeing them a priority -- hopefully at FEST 21!
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
13
Braid @ FEST 11 10.27.12 & at the FEST 11 Warehouse show right after
Fest Veteran & Playing FEST 21!
Braid was one of my favorite bands in college many moons ago. I first photographed them in 1997 (!) -- so it was simply delightful to see a whole packed crowd in 2012 singing their hearts out. This photo really captures the magic of that moment for me. And, then Bob Nanna’s wry smile says it all as the police rolled up to the after show at the warehouse just as they were about to play. Highs and lows in one evening!
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
14
Tim Barry @ FEST 15 (Where’s Tim?) and a classic sing-a-long in the crowd at FEST 12 and FEST 20
Fest Veteran & Playing FEST 21!
Avail was one of my favorite bands in high school and I got to see them play a bunch when I was in college in DC so when Tim Barry started doing solo music a few years later, I was in, obviously. And, so are a lot of other people as evidenced by this “Where is Waldo” version of Time Barry playing at FEST @ FEST 15. Tim Barry and FEST are synonymous to me - I will never miss a chance to see him play. I just feel better about life, the universe and everything. I love it when he gets in the crowd and the whole venue lights up and sings-a-long and especially when they know to participate perfectly like when Tim sings “Say how's it going out there on your own girl” for Walk 500 miles and the crowd scream back, “Fucking Fine.” Moments of perfect unity like this capture from FEST 12.
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
15
Caves @ preFEST 2 10.29.14
Fest Veteran
Caves! The amazing melodic punk band from the UK. This shot from preFEST 2 in Ybor City featuring Lou Hanman (vocals/guitarist) and Jonathan Minto (bass/vocals) was made possible by a malfunctioning microphone. Sometimes the mishaps are the most magical moments of all.
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
16
Frank Turner @ FEST 9
Fest Veteran
One of my favorite FEST show experience is also one of my favorite Frank Turner show(s) to date. Frank was one of the Fest 9 headliners closing out Sunday night at 8Seconds. The at-capacity club was in a near frenetic state for the entire set screaming along to every song including new at the time songs “I Still Believe” and “Glory Hallelujah.” Frank even had Fat Mike on stage to sing NoFx’s “Linoleum” with him.Frank was having such a good time he invited the whole crowd for an after show set at the Holiday Inn... an idea that was promptly squashed as Fest organizers imagined the chaos of 1,000 people trying to cram into the hotel lobby. Instead, Frank finished his set, leaped off stage and into a parking lot outside and continued the show outside until the police peacefully dispersed the crowd. Other than the music, seeing my music family from all over the world that I often only get to see once a year is my very favorite part of FEST.
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
17
Off With Their Heads @ FEST 15 High Dive 10.30.16
Fest Veteran
This Off With Their Heads show was the last sets of the night at FEST 15. By Sunday night of Fest, everyone is tired and even OWTH sets can be a little subdued. Not this one -- you can see from the number of people on stage that everyone could be part of the band that night. My favorite thing to capture is the interaction between the band and the crowd and this was such a fun example.
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
18
Wolf-Face as Screeching Werewolf @ preFEST 3 * 10.28.15
Fest Veteran & Playing FEST 21
Wolves who play punk music? Yes, please. Every Wolf-Face show is full of beautiful smiles like these enjoying the pageantry and punk rock interspersed together. I’m pretty sure this is the show where I got to sing "Boxcar" with them on stage. I never do that. But, for the wolves? Absolutely.
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
19
Punch @ FEST 10
Fest Veterans
Punch was a sight to see in every show. But, at FEST 10, they really took it up a notch with their Ghostbusters themed costumes. Meghan was an amazing slimer and the rest of the band just as awesome. This composite image really brought the Fest / Halloween intersection together in an amazing way!
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
20
Teen Agers as The Get Up Kids @ FEST 14 11.1.15
Fest Veterans & Playing FEST 21
Cover sets are definitely a thing not to miss at Fest. One of my very favorites was Teen Agers as The Get Up Kids at the Fest after party at The Holiday Inn on Sunday night. It was just so fun to sing-a-long to these songs live again. Little did we know that The Get Up Kids would play FEST 17!
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
21
As Friends Rust @ FEST 14 10.31.15
Fest Veterans
As Friends Rust is a special band to me as I have been good friends with several of the members over the long history of this band. This reunion show in 2015 was so fun -- everyone was happy see each other and see this amazing band live again. Now, it is also a memento mori moment as Kaleb Stewart died in 2021. He is loved and missed. As I get older, more friends are passing away and these moments are often what we remember and hold on to until we too are gone.
Nicole C. Kibert Basler / @elawgrrl on Instagram / elawgrrl.com
