Photos and review by NOTES FROM VIVACE
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The two day Happy Sundays Festival in Long Beach had the Zaferia district abuzz – that didn’t just apply to the flying beetle bug that randomly landed on people at The Bamboo Club stage. This year’s festival was held across four stages (Alex’s Bar, Compound, Port City, and The Bamboo Club) and two partner venues (Que Sera and Supply & Demand).
What were some of the highlights?
Toddlers stole the show on both days. On Saturday during Self Improvement’s Bamboo Club set, a girl ran up to the railing (no doubt drawn by lead speaker-vocalist Jett Witchalls hypnotizing stare) with the mother chasing her down. That’s one kid who will be starting up an artsy punk band in 15 years or so.
On Sunday, over at Port City, UGHH drew the attention of another kid who hung out at the back of the mobile stage. Once again, a mother was involved, this time attempting to encourage her daughter to get off the stage, but there was a no no no response. That stubbornness gave her the opportunity to play the guitar.
Drinking water at the Bamboo Club was a necessity on Sunday during the temperature highs of the day. Izbnd told everyone that it was time to take a group water break. The drummer for Ologist started up the band’s last song, gave up, and went for his water bottle. Port City partially solved the weekend’s heat by having water mist cool down the crowds.
Some of the comments and lyrics of the weekend included Hex Code doing some promoting of Self Improvement, “They’re so good you should marry them.” Julia, Julia sang, “Words don’t mean much when there’s nothing left to say.” Dead Pioneer’s guitarist Abe Brennan plowed through the audience and was met with the deadpan praise from his band, “He’s a showman, if nothing else.” Izbnd thanked her friends for coming as well as “my mother’s friends.”
Belle & Chain told the story about a three year situationship that was put on ice as the word “girlfriend” could not be uttered. Julez and the Rollerz complained “we’re the only band without a chant.” Perhaps this was due to the fact that Buckets had played earlier in the day and is known for their “Buckets! Buckets! Buckets!” chant. “Rollerz! Rollerz! Rollerz!”
Punk politics was at the forefront for Death Hymn Number 9 who called out all the old timer punk bands who were anti-Reagan, but are now pro-Trump. Sunday headliners Generacion Suicida told the pressed bodies at the Alex Bar, “We have each other.”
Though punk was the focus of the festival, there were a variety of sounds throughout the festival. Black Hall on Saturday night had the Alex’s Bar crowd in a trance. Starting things off on Sunday, Rikiz gave the Compound audience some positive affirmation. Belle & Chain switched up the genres throughout their Port City set with a mix of Americana and a touch of Michelle Pfeiffer / The Fabulous Baker Boys vibes.
The festival brought in some side projects by various Los Angeles based musicians and well known touring musicians. Tim Kasher of Cursive did a solo set at the Compound. Ellie English of L.A. Witch came in with the ear splitting Pagoto.
Niis bassist Izabella DeVroende fronted her own band Izbnd. Iriel Blaque, the bassist for long time Sunset Strip band Barb Wire Dolls, played alongside Cosmic Kitten. Chappell Roan and WFNM staple bassist Aubrey Harris backed up Belle & Chain.
Leaps, jumps, crowd slamming, and climbs thrilled the audiences. The Sleeperz kicked off the festival with a climb up the trusses at the Bamboo Club. Ologist and UGHH testing out their hops. Dildox joined the audience in the pit. But maybe the highlight of the festival should go to Chimera’s drummer at the Alex’s Bar who hit the kit so hard that a drum stick went flying and a cymbal ended up on his lap.
