Freakfest’s appeal should be immediately apparent to most that endeavor through the gates at the bottom of State Street and through the costumed crowd. The festival does not play coy with its appeal. While far from unsafe, the rowdy atmosphere of the event still harkens back to its first years when near-riots attracted attention from police armed with pepper spray. Even with unruly behavior, attendees appeared to wholeheartedly appreciate the music and sights the event had to offer.
Upon entering the gates, the crowded State Street corridor moving to the main stage at Capitol Square was lined with unexpected moments. Groups of students weaved through the crowds with efficient intent, making impressive time as they flowed toward the different stages. Groups of Clark Kents and Ricks with their Mortys compared their costumes in hilarious displays of one-upsmanship. Others forwent costumes in favor of comfort, wearing flannels and jackets, unapologetically going to Freakfest for the music alone. A strained clown on stilts squatted to pose for pictures until he became unbalanced and fell to the ground. The spontaneity many experienced on the street raised the question “Where else, but Freakfest?”
When the yells and heated discussion died down for brief unscripted pauses, a dense and varied soundscape emerged. Between the Country Stage and the Mountain Dew Stage the sounds of several events met. The crowd at the intersection of Johnson and State experienced an odd assortment of sounds simultaneously. Har Mar Superstar’s sexually charged R&B meshed with Greta Van Fleet’s energetic twang, resulting in a head-spinning cacophony.
While some attendees came for a specific act, the audience was receptive to new sounds and ideas. Outside the Overture Center, a crowd gathered around an artist playing a rousing solo on the saxophone. When the artist breathlessly completed the solo the audience gave staggering applause. An appreciation for music outside of the mainstream continued on the main stage. The soulful wailing of St. Paul and the Broken Bones, an act that was largely unknown to many attendees, attracted a surprising crowd. The audience embraced unexpected new sounds with positivity and excitement, showing a willingness to expand their musical boundaries.
Unfortunately, this openness came at a cost. Audience members often resorted to aggression to ward off the busy crowds. On several occasions, attendees raced and bickered to get selfies with elaborately costumed characters. Groups fought viciously to get closer to the front. When pushed, the packed crowd pushed back, causing waves of attendees to fight for their footing. Substance abuse was blatant, sometimes belligerently so. The disorderly nature of the crowd made some moments of fun feel unnecessary and contrived. However, when artists took the stage, attendees dropped the pretense of aggression to simply enjoy the music.
At Freakfest 2016, attendees showed appreciation for new and different sounds and experiences, but were less open-minded in their conduct. The festival was full of fresh and unexpected moments. Unfortunately, you often needed to fight to experience them.
