Scorching heat and long line issues aside (shouldn't we be used to this for festivals anyway?), our friends at FYF did not disappoint in 2010. With an amazing lineup featuring an indie rock dream roster, the entire day was a chaotic party of three stages, VIP tents, food trucks, Sailor Jerry rum drinks, and all the bands you could want to see. Per usual, the photo pits were packed, the fans were rabid, and the beer was cold. Highlights included Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti killing "Round and Round" while the entire crowd sang back-up, Big Freedia with her Azz (literally) Everywhere, and !!! being !!!, short-shorts and all. A day so good it might just hold us over until FYF's next big show at SXSW 2011. more ›

"This year we hit a few growing pains. We can and will overcome these issues and continue to organize this festival that supports independent music in Los Angeles," FYF Fest promoter Sean Carlson wrote in an e-mail sent last Thursday to his e-mail list. more ›

Earlier this month, the seventh annual FYF Fest took place at the LA State Historic Park near Chinatown, and while the numbers -- 37 bands across three stages with 17 comedians and an estimated 20,000 attendees -- are impressive, the consensus among many was how disorganized the event was, as exemplified by tweets like "FYF = fuck you fans fest," "Almost 3 hours to get into @FYFFEST = FAIL," "@FYFFEST is like a hipster concentration camp," "Hey @fyffest maybe you wouldn't run out of water if you let us bring some inside. It's only 95 degrees. Jus sayin'," and "Fuck lines fest more like @FYFFEST." more ›

Titus Andronicus, one of William Shakespeare's earliest tragedies, is influenced by Greek mythology. Violence? Check. Human sacrifice? Check. Revenge? Check. Lust and sex? Check and double-check. In the Grand Guignol tradition, Titus Andronicus is a brutal, yet successful Roman general who's been away for 10 years fighting their dreaded enemies, the Goths. more ›

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Tonight iconic Japanese psych rockers Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. will be headlining the Echoplex with none other than Portland-based experimental rock outfit Nice Nice. New Jersey-bred lo-fi kings Titus Andronicus are poised to take on the Bootleg Theater with in local rock and roll outfit Slang Chickens tow. And, lastly, Danish indie pop outfit the Asteroids Galaxy Tour will be headlining the Echo. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Viper Room in Hollyweird to catch Kansas City-bred Grammy Award-nominated pop singer-songwriter Janelle Monae. more ›

It was almost as if a giant, grumpy deity wielding a garden hose came down from the sky on Saturday morning and announced, "You kids are having too much fun! Cool it." Rain poured from the sky in the early morning, and the gorgeous seventy degree weather evaporated over night. Austin was suddenly engulfed in forty degree temperatures and high wind, turning the summery celebration into a chilled autumnal fest. Not that it stopped anyone from attending shows outside. The masses were out (granted in slightly decreased numbers) wrapped in scarves and hats, ready to rock out. more ›

Tonight Chicago-based alternative rockers the Smashing Pumpkins will be performing at the Gibson Amphitheatre. LA up-and-comer the Gray Kid is slated to headline Check One Twosday at the Echoplex. We love what we've heard from his forthcoming record, 2009's Free Music. And, lastly, we're just receiving word that Brett Dennen will be the special guest for the Gary Jules show at the Hotel Café. But we strongly suggest catching local noise rockers No Age, who will be playing at the Troubadour with Titus Andronicus. If you didn't already get on the free RSVP list, then tough cookies—head over to the plex. more ›