The Fest in Gainesville Florida is considered by many to be the best punk festival in the United States if not the world. Folks from everywhere make the yearly trek to partake in 3 days of music, community and comraderie. I thought it might be fun to interview some of my and your favorite attendees, their bands, their brands, and see what makes this such a special event in the hearts and minds of so many. I'll try to get as many in as i can and hopefully convey a little of the joy it evokes!
Without further ado:
Tell us are who you are, what you do, where you do it, and why in the world you subjected yourself to being interviewed!
I’m Robbie! Originally from Florida (grew up in Miami, lived in Gainesville) and now live in Brooklyn. I play bass in Career Day!

Great to meet you! How many times have you been A-FESTing?!
Oh man I lost count if I’m being honest. Let’s just say a ton.
Nice! Interviewing a FEST veteran!
So, who are you most excited about seeing this year?
So many of my favorites for sure. Top of my list has got to be Dollar Signs, Rozwell Kid, Streetlight Manifesto, Flying Raccoon Suit, Bad Operation, Flagman, The Eradicator, Joyce Manor, Combat, Soul Glo and Apes of the State (personally one of my hardest conflicts of the weekend), and Harrison Gordon. And Career Day too, idk if you’ve heard of them.
*laughing Yes I have heard of them. I actually loved the album you released a couple years ago and have been digging the new ep!
Having been so many time's, what's your favorite part of FEST? Anything that stands out?
Seeing friends and being part of the Fest community! I’m always most at peace in Gainesville, Fest or not, and just being back in town and taking in everything Fest has to offer recharges my soul for the next year until the next Fest.
That's rad, and great to hear as a first timer!
So that said, any great FEST memories to share?
Ooh this is the hardest one. I wish I could pick just one but I can’t! Watching my good friends Hannah propose to her now-husband Adrian during Masked Intruder’s set in 2019 was pretty special and is certainly up there as a contender.
Holy cow! Yeah, i can see how that would be way up on the list!
Dining during FEST, what place(s) are on your "I MUST eat there" when in town?
Anything from Boca Fiesta! Especially their alligator burrito or tacos. I also love the media noche sandwich from Flacos, and for Fest specifically, Nah Dogs is the best. I miss the hot dog guy and Crane Ramen though. I also used to eat at Chopstix and Mother’s (shoutout to 40 cent wing nights; is that even a thing anymore??) a ton when I lived in Gainesville. Also gotta get a chicken tender pub sub while I’m in town.
I gotta tell you, one of those has come up in every single interview so far and I am definitely trying to go there! And an alligator burrito seems like a must try!
So, you gotta drink if you eat. What's your beverage choice for long days of band watching and playing?
A younger me would’ve said PBR; a smarter me now says Liquid Death.
Hydration is a must!
So outside of bands lets do some digging. What's your favorite video game?
I’m obsessed with Pokémon. My right arm is all Pokémon tattoos (3 sets of badges and a watercolor tattoo of Jolteon). Come nerd out with me about Pokémon! I’m also currently hooked on Baldur’s Gate 3; I’m currently attempting a pacifist run as Aang from Avatar. Also: Zelda, Mario, Portal, Kirby, and Smash!
Fun! that's cool!
What's your favorite way to wake up in Gainesville?
Any day I wake up in Gainesville is my favorite way to wake up in Gainesville. But if I had to pick one, knowing Fest is upon me and starting the day with pure excitement. Also something about stepping outside and breathing in that Gainesville air. Can’t describe it any better than that.
You're kinda making me homesick just hearing you say it that way. Looking at you my Vegas homies, you're gonna get hugged extra hard now. Blame Robbie!
Just about out of time, anything you want to relay to the readers before we get out of here?
Our set is Sunday night at 9:40 at Vecinos! Come check us out if you like emo music about being sad about the state of the world and/or Austin Powers! And if you can’t make our set, come say hi anyway!
Consider it done! That's it for this time, you heard them! see you at Vecinos on Sunday!
If anyone is enjoying this series feel free to go give a like to our page, sign up for our email list, a friend request, whatever you want! lol
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