The Fest 24 Just Added Over 200 Bands to an Already Massive Lineup

The Fest just keeps getting more absurd in the best way possible. The organizers behind Gainesville's legendary underground punk festival dropped over 200 additional bands onto the Fest 24 lineup today, and at this point the poster looks like it needs its own magnifying glass.

This year's edition takes over 13 venues across downtown Gainesville, FL from October 23rd through 25th, with a kick-off show on Thursday, October 22nd at Bo Diddley Plaza. We're talking 400+ bands across three days. If you care about independent punk, hardcore, ska, or anything in that orbit, this is the weekend.

What the Wave 2 Drop Looks Like

The new wave of additions is stacked. Lagwagon, Algernon Cadwallader, Hey Mercedes, Pulley, Iron Reagan, The Iron Roses, Wolf-Face, Gully Boys, New Junk City, Tiltwheel, The Eradicator, and literally hundreds more. The organizers said this year features more Fest Freshmen (first-time performers) than any previous edition, selected from over 3,000 applicants. That commitment to discovery is what makes The Fest different from everything else out there.

The full band list is genuinely overwhelming. You can check it all at thefestfl.com/bands and save yourself from squinting at the poster like it's an eye exam.

The Headliners Are No Joke Either

If you missed the initial announcement back in April, the top of this lineup is serious. The Bouncing Souls are headlining with two sets, which feels right for a band that's been one of the most beloved forces in punk rock for close to four decades. Their new album Born To Be, produced by Grammy Award-winner Will Yip, drops June 26th, so they'll have a fresh record in the rotation by the time Fest rolls around. They're also touring with The Suicide Machines through early 2027.

PUP are also playing two sets, and one of them is a full performance of The Dream Is Over for the album's 10th anniversary. That record originally came out in May 2016 and basically turned PUP from a scrappy Toronto band into one of punk's most important acts. They're re-issuing it on vinyl with a lenticular cover to mark the occasion.

Full Album Sets You Don't Want to Miss

One of the things that makes The Fest special is the album performances. Beyond PUP's The Dream Is Over set, you've got Nerf Herder playing their self-titled record, Small Brown Bike doing Dead Reckoning, Punchline performing 37 Everywhere, Dikembe playing Chicago Bowls, and Signals Midwest running through At This Age. That's six confirmed album sets, and I wouldn't be surprised if more get added.

The Rest of the Wave 1 Lineup

I'll be real, this initial roster alone would be enough for most festivals. Torche, A Wilhelm Scream, Sparta, The Impossibles, Texas Is The Reason, Bear vs. Shark, The Flatliners, Mustard Plug, Samiam, Catbite, Fenix TX, Home Front, War on Women, NOBRO, Zeta, Tim Barry, and a ton more. The range here is wild. You've got pop-punk, hardcore, ska, post-hardcore, sludge, emo, all of it sharing the same weekend.

Comedy Is Coming Too

Worth noting that The Fest has been incorporating comedians into the lineup in recent years, and a full comedy lineup announcement is scheduled for June 26th. Keep an eye out for that if you're into the stand-up side of things.

Tickets and What You Need to Know

Three-day passes and official Fest 24 hotels are still available right now. Here are the important dates to have on your radar:

July 1st: Kick Off Show bands get announced, and the Kick Off Show ticket price jumps from $25 to $40 plus fees.

July 17th at 10AM EST: The full schedule drops, single show tickets go on sale, and the three-day pass price jumps to $300 plus fees (if they're even still available by then).

Honestly, if you're planning on going, buy your pass now before the price hikes. Head over to thefestfl.com/ticket-info to grab yours. Three days, 13 venues, 400+ bands. There's nothing else like this in the country. Don't sleep on it.

Cover photo courtesy of Ticketmaster