Los Angeles’ prized musical gem is back

FYF Festival releases its lineup and does not disappoint

Story by Talin Hakopyan


In the midst of prime national and international music festival season, the lineup for Los Angeles’ own FYF Fest was released, via their twitter page. The two-day festival is being held on Aug. 22 and 23 at The Los Angeles Sports Arena and Exposition Park.

This year’s headliners are exponentially different, but share one thing in common; they are notoriously elusive. They are Los Angeles’ very own R&B singer/songwriter, Frank Ocean, and former Smith’s front man, the infamous Morrissey. Ocean took himself off all social media, with an exception of his personal Tumblr, where he recently announced that the follow-up to his beloved Channel, Orange will be dropping in July. As for Morrissey, after not announcing an LA date for his most recent tour, him headlining the festival makes sense. No fear, Moz is coming to “Moz Angeles.”

Since it’s creation in 2005, by 18-year-old Sean Carlson, FYF has grown into one of the prominent festivals for the Los Angeles area, but has not reached the traction of Coachella or Outside Lands yet. In 2011, FYF partnered with one of the biggest concert and festival companies, Goldenvoice. 12 years later and the festival has booked huge names like FKA Twigs, Flume, Chet Faker, D’Angelo & the Vanguard, Belle & Sebastian and Tobias Jesso Jr.

Kyle Sanchez, 24, business major said he has been going for six years and every year is better and better. “I’ve watched it grow into this amazing festival with a really, really good lineup.” He added, “Within my group of friends, I’m the FYF guy. They all enjoy raves and festivals where electronic dance music is prominent, but FYF has a little bit of everything I need.” Sanchez said he is most excited for Death Grips and Toro y Moi.

FYF is all ages and children under the age of 10 get in for free, but need to be with an adult at all times. The festival also has shade tents for attendees to cool off at and hydration stations with multiple water fountains to refill water bottles. The festival also includes close to 50 food vendors, with vegetarian and vegan options.

Danielle Alvarado, 18, communications major said that she was most excited to see Flume and D’Angelo. She said, “FYF makes me really happy because it’s not a festival that’s really commercial just yet. People don’t go to just take a picture to post or say that they went. The crowd is so nice.” She also added, “I thought that when they partnered with Goldenvoice that they would sell out, but the lineup is beautiful and they’re doing so many things to improve the fest.”

Tickets for FYF have been on sale, but there are still many available on their website. They are also available at local record stores. General admission is $175 and VIP is $329. VIP includes access to the VIP area, which is a beer and liquor garden, and it also includes private toilets, personal food trucks, comfortable couches and designated VIP areas by the main stage.

Sean Carlson’s innovative idea has turned into a flourishing festival that music lovers can attend, in order to experience a 2-day event that isn’t about its name, but just about the music.