Artist panels and the comedy tent weren’t the only highlights of this year’s ID10T Music Festival + Comic Conival. Just as the name says, music was a huge part of this festival and in a major way. It brought together completely different types of audiences. It didn’t matter if you’re a fan of EDM or Alternative Rock, there was something or someone for you to enjoy. Throw in some cosplay or hula hoops and you got yourself an interesting mix of people there.
Just as the sun was setting and the panels were wrapping up, the ID10T Panel Stage transformed to the Mad Decent Stage featuring Gryffin, Jai Wolf, and Madeon on day one then Party Favor, Troyboi, and Zeds Dead on day two. On the other hand, the Main Stage was taken over by the likes of OK GO and Weezer (Day One) to TV on the Radio and Girl Talk (Day Two), more on that later.
It was clear to see the different sides of the spectrum and the 2% who were there for both genres. If you arrived earlier in the day, the parking lot itself wasn’t as packed as you think nor was the actual concourse. As soon as the evening was approaching, you’d see more and more rave-centric festival goers trickle their way in. Did this hinder my experience in any way? Not at all. If anything, this enhanced my opinion of the overall event.
The downside was if you were trying to enjoy absolutely anything else around the Mad Decent tent. You were bound to hear “UNTS UNTS UNTS” in a 100 feet radius. Comedians never failed taking cracks at that too as a few comedy sets were being overpowered by their fellow neighbors. Didn’t help if you were all the way standing in the back of the comedy tent trying to enjoy Demetri Martin on the complete opposite side. (Just something to note for next year!)
Back over on the main stage, the amphitheatre was pumped from the front of the stage all the way to the lawn. Throughout the day and even in the middle of the panels, the main stage was taken over by musical acts you can chill out to while you figure out your next plan of action or to check out new music. Our picks of the night when we weren’t walking around were OK GO, Crystal Castles, Weezer, and TV on the Radio. Impressive lineup no matter who you’re into and we were there for that. Even though the amphitheatre wasn’t exactly a sold out crowd, each act performed just as if it was one giving everyone their money’s worth.
Not many people associate conventions with music but that’s not always the case anymore. What with San Diego Comic Con to Entertainment Weekly’s Pop Fest now adding musical components to their events, it’s only a matter of time other hosts such as Hardwick are taking note of how hand-in-hand this idea works. Not only do you get the geeks but you have a greater advantage of bigger turnout and potential new con attendees.
Fingers crossed for a lineup that’s up to par as this year’s!
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