It was almost as if Mother Nature was trying to conspire against Index Fest. Not that this would have been the first time.
After a successful, sold-out event in Austin the recently rebranded craft beer and music festival (formerly Untapped Fest) was returning to Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. However, as Saturday started off, many were wondering if the gates would even have the opportunity to open.
Scattered storms were predicted throughout the weekend with flash flood warnings in place all over the metroplex; and if Friday had been any indicator -- several streets in D-FW becoming impassible due to high water â Saturday was going to be a wash out.
However, much to everyoneâs pleasant surprise, mere hours before Index Fest was scheduled to get underway the approaching line of storms fell apart, the sun piercing through the clouds as it suddenly turned out to be a gorgeous summer day ideal for a festival. And it was a go.
Due to the delays caused by the weather earlier in the morning there did wind up being a bit of a delay, something several people werenât privy to until after showing up. As a result, the gate times had been pushed back an hour from what was originally scheduled, VIP now getting in at five-oâclock, while the other various ticket types were moved to six. The set times for the artists remained the same.
While understandable (the delays), conversations that were overheard from the line revealed some annoyed patrons unaware of what the holdup was, having missed the announcement online as they traveled upwards of an hour from other parts of the metroplex.
Because of that, many simply enjoyed the sounds of Fort Worthâs Oil Boom, the rock outfit sounding pristine as they rocked out a variety of older songs from 2014âs Red Metal along with some new offerings from a forthcoming release. They sounded even better than Iâve heard them before, more force being injected into the songs they played, in turn making them more commanding. And, in usual Oil Boom style, there were some jokes to be had this day.
Bassist Steve Steward couldnât resist mentioning DJ Sober (who had played a set before them and was spinning music in between the acts) and what an odd name that was for someone to have at a beer festival. âYou know Iâve been waiting all week to make that joke,â he added.
The masses began streaming in right as they finished, the people immediately dispersing to tents of the plethora of breweries. Eighty-five breweries in all, ranging from ones close to home like Lakewood Brewing Co and Rahr & Sons to ones as far away from Juneau, AK (Alaskan) and Brooklyn, NY (Coney Island), collectively they offered over 300 craft beers to indulge in, Sampling glasses in hand, the festival goers were ready to try as many as they could and maybe discover a new favorite beverage in the process.
The sheer number of participating breweries may sound staggering, though everything was neatly laid out, divided into a handful of rows of tents that were easy to navigate. While that and the music were the main draw, there were plenty of other ways to unwind, too. Some games were set up on the back side of the festival grounds, including a couple of Ping-Pong tables and even a large Jenga set, while some live art was even being made, artists even offering the attendees a shot at winning one of the canvases to carry home.
All in all that cultivated a great atmosphere, one where having fun and making memories was paramount.
Musically, there was something for almost everyone, each artist falling on a different spot of the musical spectrum, with Shinyribs being the most diverse sounding act on the lineup.
A hodgepodge of soul and funk wrapped in a swampy country sound, Kevin Russell and his band mates took the stage by storm, ready to ensure everyone at Index Fest was having a good time. That was easy for them, Russell busting a move when he took the stage, spinning around and demonstrating some slick dance skills, his demeanor affirming they were there to have fun.
Complete with a horn section and some backing vocalists they wowed many with their smooth, rich sounds, âI Gave Up All I Hadâ perfectly capturing their soul side as it brought out the best of Russellâs voice. âI AM SHINYRIBS!â he growled in a guttural tone afterwards, picking a guitar up to use (and ultimately wail on) for a surprising cover of âNo Diggityâ. That classic from Blackstreet was the one that got the spectators most energized, even resulting in some singing along as they ran through their charged rendition of it, adapting it to better fit their brand of music. That wasnât their only cover of the day, either.
After a handful of other originals, including the rousing âTake Me Lake Charlesâ, which boasted some divine harmonies, they got to the final track of their six-song set, and in the midst of that number, they brought a disco flare to the stage, breaking into a snippet of âStayin' Aliveâ.
It capped off their set perfectly, bringing it full circle, âcause really, is there any music thatâs more fun than disco? Especially when spliced with this brilliant and compelling concoction that Shinyribs has created.
Russell and company provided a perfect start to the day, their music sounding as cheery as the day had turned out to be, their 34-minute long set being brief but allowing them ample time to show everyone why Shinyribs is becoming one of the most talked about bands in Texas.
With a half hour between each band, patrons were given plenty of time to wander around and check out the vast selection of beers; and when next people returned to the stage, they were treated to something a little more chill.
Johnnyswim had been tapped as the main support act for Index Fest, an additional guitarist joining husband and wife duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano for a more bare bones performance of their material.
They had some die-hard fans in attendance and almost immediately utilized that connection as they worked to build a rapport with everyone else, most of the onlookers providing a beat as they clapped along to âDon't Let It Get You Downâ. And that was just the start of the crowd participation, Sudano later encouraging everyone to sing along if they knew the songs and wanted to.
Furthering the tightknit rapport they would develop was the conversations they often engaged in, even if they were more one-sided. For example, Ramirez acknowledged they were like everyone else, not certain if theyâd even get to play or not, adding the possibility of the event being cancelled was the last thing they wanted to hear after the plane they were on touched down in D-FW. It was obvious he was ecstatic it all worked out, though, the three of them being delighted to be on that stage.
Most of the bands seemed to have at least one song that was behooving of a beer festival, and for Johnnyswim that was âDrunksâ, Ramirez providing some insight as to how the song came together, with the primary reason being exactly whatâs expressed in the lyrics: thy wanted a song that could unite people and get them to sing along. Something that showcases the power music has to provide people a chance to set aside their differences, and what a lovely and well written song âDrunksâ is to accomplish such a task.
Perhaps the best thing about this acoustic set from Johnnyswim was the fact that it allowed their harmonies to shine more brilliantly than normal, and that song highlighted them better than any other, the three-part harmonies being stunning and gorgeous, making them truly captivating.
âTake The Worldâ was personalized some, being dedicated to a newlywed couple that was there enjoying the festivities; and while they were having a blast, seemingly to the point that they would have been happy being up there for another hour, they ended things with a bang, âHomeâ seeing the husband and wife singing into the same microphone, sharing a moment, as they brought things to a fiery finish.
Johnnyswim may have provided a more relaxing segment of the festival sonically speaking, though thatâs not be confused as being a lull. The three of them delivered a spirited performance, their energy rivaling that of what Dawes would lay down, the fact that Ramirez and Sudano were getting such a thrill out of performing making their set all the more engrossing.
The sun had set, a cool breeze descending upon Panther Island Pavilion, a fitting end to what had been a picturesque day, being sunny and warm without much humidity to turn standing outside into a grueling experience. And to top off this perfect day was the perfect band, Dawes.
Theyâve had a busy 2017 with their An Evening with Dawes tour, and after a well-deserved month-long break, this appearance at Index Fest marked their return to the road for another rigorous stint.
It was an event Taylor Goldsmith would state they had been eagerly anticipating, âitchingâ to play again, and they sure appeared delighted to be back on a stage and in front of a loyal fan base.
The clanging guitar chords served as the call to arms, most everyone back by all of the beer tents flocking to the stage where the quintet soon launched into âOne of Usâ. It was a perfect way to begin the show, a vibrant opener that put them right in their element and let the spectators know just what they could expect from Dawes this night.
Guitar and piano solos abounded as they traversed their dozen song set, highlighting the astounding musicianship they possess; and during âFire Awayâ, Taylor ceded things over to his brother Griffin Goldsmith, the drummer singing the last bit of the charged number.
With each song they became more of a force to be reckoned with, the fans becoming all the more enthralled by the set that seemed to include everything they had all been hoping for. Even the new songs from Weâre All Gonna Die received a warm welcome, people cheering as âWhen The Tequila Runs Outâ got underway. Taylor jokingly apologized about it, acknowledging that it wasnât a beer song but it was the best they had. No one minded, especially once the fun vibe that song captures began to take hold.
âAll Your Favorite Bandsâ was undoubtedly the song everyone was patiently awaiting, that closer that became a sing-along seeing everyone out wonderfully, the hopeful tune acting as a nice way to part ways, Taylor, Griffin, Wylie Gelber, and Lee Pardini waving at the crowd as they made their exit.
As the mass exodus began, people were already reminiscing on what a great day Index Fest had provided. The delayed gate openings seemed like a distant memory to most, having instead been replaced by a slew of good times hanging out with friends, sampling some new drinks and checking out some incredible bands.
Really, if the delayed opening was the worst of it than thatâs certainly not the worst thing that could happen. Patrons were also already shrugging off the soggy (and in places, muddy) mess the field had been transformed into, and indeed, it wasnât that bad. The rain from the previous day had left its mark on Panther Island Pavilion, no doubt, but so long as you watched your step you were alright. The worst of the mud was at the back end of the grounds were little was set up anyway, and nearly everyone had already prepared for such a scenario by wearing old shoes or even boots made for outdoor wear and tear.
It was an incredible day, Index Fest providing more of an all-encompassing festival experience from what many events do. By focusing on quality over quantity in the music field they were able to ensure everyone saw acts that were nothing but memorable; the mid to late afternoon start being more ideal since it eliminated having to stand out in whatâs typically the hottest part of the day.
The staggered set times allowed attendees plenty of time to roam about the grounds and see what else was going on without feeling like they were missing anything. And, for those not too invested in a particular act, everything was located far enough away from the stage to be able to carry on a conversation amongst friends as you savored everything else Index Fest had to offer. On that note, the art was a nice addition, the artists attracting decent crowds, all marveling at the work they were putting in to bringing their creations to life. One of the reasons for rebranding, it will be interesting to see how much more art will factor in to Index as it continues to expand.
An excellent environment, it was suitable for the whole family, a few young kids being seen in tow with their parents this day. The whole family applied to dogs as well, several people bringing their furry friends with them, and people of all ages, from twenty-somethings to some in their sixties, were out to partake in the festivities.
Perhaps the threat of more rain kept some people away from this installment of Index Fest, but those who did venture out were rewarded with a joyous experience. In the end, Mother Nature smiled upon everyone, the conditions being flawless. There may well not be another day this summer with such great temperatures for a festival, people being able to derive the ideal festival experience from Index Fest, having had a fun filled day where there was always something going on to keep one stimulated.
Thatâs two down and three more to go, a Houston installment of Index Fest scheduled for September, with San Antonio getting one at a TBA date. Index Fest Dallas is slated to go down on November 11th. More details on all of those (when available) can be found at the event WEBSITE.
