The Free Press Summer Festival make up show will be held Friday, June 6 at Fitzgerald’s. | Courtesy of Ryan Popham.
The 6th annual Free Press Summer Festival last weekend at Eleanor Tinsley Park once again provided an exciting musical experience for H-Town. The original lineup consisted of more than 80 performances from nearly 100 artists from around the world. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather on the first day some of the performances were canceled. There was still plenty of room for a myriad of people to enjoy a lot of great music and kick-start the summer.
Over the two-day duration of the festival, many local acts made an incredible impression on well-sized crowds. Ranging from the Wild Moccasins to Another Run, Houston’s own were greeted very kindly by supportive fans. Unlike other concerts in town, Summer Fest boasts a large number of passionate people — exactly what performers love to see.
Other fantastic performances by The Kills, Deftones, Big Gigantic, Washed Out, Vampire Weekend and Jack White were amazing to experience — but this writer’s favorite of them all was the rap-rave South African band Die Antwoord. The energy at that show was almost unparalleled, especially over the ridiculous lyrics to hits such as “I Fink U Freeky”, “Fatty Boom Boom” and “Enter the Ninja”. Vocalists Ninja and Yolandi Visser pumped up the crowd from start to finish, complete with DJ Hi-Tek’s “next-level beats.” Other well known artists that performed include Above & Beyond, Zedd, Wu-Tang Clan, Dwight Yoakam, Childish Gambino, Ying Yang Twins, and a special “Welcome 2 Houston” set featuring Bun B, Slim Thug, Devin The Dude, Z-RO, Paul Wall, and Mike Jones.
FPSF is a special event to be a part of — each year bringing new and exciting artists in addition to veterans that never fail to put on an amazing show. Walking down Allen Parkway with loads of people overhearing songs like “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant and “Party Up (Up in Here)” by DMX on the same day is an amazing thing, especially with applauding fans and 25-ounce cans of Bud Light for $10 each.
Fitzgerald’s will be hosting the Official FPSF Make-Up Show on Friday, June 6, featuring The Tontons, Fat Tony, Wrestlers (formerly Bagheera), and BLSHS with free admission to compensate the acts lost on the first day of the festival. To RSVP, visit [email protected].
…but really, Jack White’s new album Lazaretto <33333