Joyce Manor, Hotelier, Crying @Metro, Chicago IL

Shot by: Mat Stokes

This Is My Fest 3 – Sunday night at the Night Light, Oakland, California

The final night of This Is My Fest saw a return to the first night’s venue except this time there were bands in both the upstairs and downstairs bars. Heartless Folk were on hand to play music that’s too hardcore for the pop punk crowd, too poppy for the

This Is My Fest 3 – Saturday at The Annex & Oakland Metro, Oakland, California

Saturday late afternoon of This Is My Fest saw a few bands play sets at The Annex, a burgers and beer place across the street from Oakland Metro, a cavernous space with two stages. The afternoon sets featured perennial favorites Bastards of Young and Fools Rush, and the night-time

This Is My Fest 3 – Friday Night at the Uptown, Oakland, California

Friday night of This Is My Fest 3 proved that opening bands aren’t necessarily weaker bands. United Defiance slew with a blend of old school hardcore and modern pop punk. Friday night also began the practice of moving back and forth between spaces to maximize the number of bands.

Turnover, Virgin Kids, Egrets @ The Cellar, Oxford

This Is My Fest 3 – Thursday Night at the Night Light, Oakland, California

How many times have you gone to a music festival, only to enjoy just a handful of bands while suffering through others? Not so with This Is My Fest’s third installment. Over four nights in Oakland, California, dozens of bands killed it with incredible sets. The opening night started

Self Defense Family, Creative Adult, Cassels @ Moth Club, London

Dowsing, Ratboys, Holy Pinto @ Aston Students’ Union, Birmingham

Big Bad Buffalo & The Bassics @ Lestat’s, San Diego

Young indie-rockers Big Bad Buffalo may be just out of high school, but they’re more mature, musically, than many older bands. The occasion of this show was their record release show for their second full-length LP. Opening the night were another young up and coming San Diego band, The Bassics.

Awesomefest 10 Sunday Afternoon, U-31 & The Office, San Diego

Sunday afternoon at Awesomefest 10 saw a first and a last. It marked the first appearance of Seattle’s Four Lights, a new power pop punk band that, I predict, is going to take the music scene by storm. And it marked what is likely the final appearance of Sacramento’s