With so many tough choices to be made, there was no one way to experience Greensboro Fest this past weekend. The venues were, for the most part, sufficiently spaced so as to make travel back and forth unfavorable and unwise, lest something amazing be missed. Over four days, a lot of amazing things happened all over town at any of the packed venues, from people spilling out from Lyndon Street Artworks to the red-light-soaked hip-hop revue at CFBG. It was truly a festival for the people, so there’s no better way to remember it than through those who experienced it. Here are their stories:
“Watching 200 people shoulder to shoulder, jump up and down in unison to Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Lyndon Street on Friday night. Also, the guys in Holy Ghost being the most polite and gracious band, even when I had to ask them to play one more song. During Invisible’s set on Saturday, the Green Bean reached full capacity and people just gathered on the street with passersby who stopped to watch the analog madness inside. The Bronzed Chorus and Torch Runner at Legitimate Business on Sunday brought everything together so perfectly. There were lots and lots of folks even on a rainy Sunday night with incredible vibes. Supernature at Maya gallery: no mics or amps, playing like they were on the porch and beautifully so. CFBGs had was a really great after party; Deflon and N’DangR Species went hard, and there was all kinds of dancing until 3:30am.” — Mike Wallace, festival organizer“When I saw Driveway was about to guest on harmonica with Holy Ghost Tent Revival, I got too excited. Then Matty Sheets got up there and sang with ’em too, and I honestly haven’t been so happy at show in this town before that moment.” — Mat Masterson, lap steel for Israel Darling and Friend House
“The sense of community was really overwhelming this year. It makes me proud to be a musician in this town when I see everyone coming together like this. Ezett is my new favorite band after their amazing performance Sunday night, and seeing the Bronzed Chorus return from a three-week tour to close the weekend was goose-bumpingly perfect. As Adam from Bronzed Chorus said, ‘No one will talk s--t about Greensboro in my presence ever again.’” — Matty Sheets, singer/songwriter“
Friday night at Lyndon St, walking up to the venue; I had anticipated a good turnout but once I rounded the corner and saw basically a sea of people hanging out, I knew Greensboro Fest was on to something. Watching the crowd response to N’DangR Species, Swayze Jones and Incense, it felt like an old-school house party. The dance party carried on well into the early morning; killer beats were provided by Deflon, DJ J-Lone and Prez. I haven’t danced that much in quite some time and there was a light-up hula hoop that took the dance party to a whole other level.” — Selena Wolf, after-party host
“There was a funny moment early on at Lyndon Street on Friday night. The singer for the metal band Creeper is a rather hefty guy, who wore a white luchador mask throughout their set. In between the first and second song, he commented ‘We’re Creeper. If you don’t like us, f--k off!’” — Devender Sellars, Decoration Ghost guitarist and YES! Weekly art director
“My favorite part was that it happened and continues to happen every year because there are people who care enough about both Greensboro and local music to take the time. Also, Adam Thorn’s set: what a brain on that one!” — Ben Sap, Braveyoung guitarist
“I really enjoyed Deflon’s performance. I think he will become a big name in electronic music in the future. I also really enjoyed Matty Sheets and the Blockheads.” — Maf Maddix, N’DangR Species
“There is a little bit of something for everyone from the fun hip hop of Sugar High Gang to the large multi-layered sound of Israel Darling to the one-of-a-kind use of science and technology of Invisible. It also showed the power of things like Facebook and word of mouth, as there weren’t that many fliers up. Sunday night was especially surprising since it was raining all day and there were still like 100 at Legit Biz. Seeing Bronzed Chorus perform last was really cool, and this was their last show of a three-week tour so they were spot-on. Also, WUAG broadcasted the show and it was cool to be listening to the show on the way to the show. We hope to do more of this live broadcasting in the future.” — Jack Bonney, WUAG general manager
"Most spirited performance I’ve seen yet from Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Not a huge veteran of their shows, but I’ve seen them a few times. A big applause for the organizers and Lyndon Street in general, They managed a VERY large crowd with great courtesy and professionalism.” — Allen Martin, photographer
"The friday night show I played at Lyndon Street Artworks with Holy Ghost, Romancer, etcetera…. The energy of the show was really fun and rowdy. Tons of people came out and represented the Greensboro underground scene, we have a variety of raw musicians and artists that are seriously talented.” — DJ Tim Trouble
