This past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the West Bottoms was filled with tents, stages, food trucks and people. Sponsored by Boulevard Brewery, 96.5 the Buzz, Chipotle and a slew of other local groups, the festival kicked off its first year.
The lineup was mainly local, with appearances by the Welsh group Catfish and the Bottlemen and California-based Capital Cities.
The shows were appropriately placed per day, with Friday being a hip-rock vibe, Saturday featuring more relaxed, indie groups, and finally Sunday, with groups that appealed to fathers and families alike.
All in all, the event was fun and well worth the $15 daily ticket price.
Promotional and small business tents were scattered about the grounds with food trucks every so often. The constant live music was always in earshot, making all of the activities and crafts extremely accessible.
Many local groups were able to showcase their talent in a low-pressure and casual setting. “Maria the Mexican” was especially impressive with their mix of latin, indie, and rock. The lead singers, sisters of Mexican descent, sprinkled spanish in throughout the performance.
Festival planners did a nice job of creating something to appeal to everyone. Face painters and crafts were at one corner, alcohol was served in a separate sector and the shopping area was in another.
Hopefully this festival will continue to grow, bringing more business and culture to the West Bottoms, which normally only sees a lot of traffic around Halloween.
