Bay Fest 2017: Bellaria Igea Marina, 13-14-15 August

Writing about the third edition of the Bay Fest is not easy, also because a lot of things happened in
these three punk rock days. I’ll try. I leave by train, in what will become a journey of hope amidst a dampness worthy of the Amazon rainforest and after several changes, I get to the bay camp sweaty but excited. As usual, I have the tent but no hammer to drive the pegs, you see that I’ve never been a boy scout; I try to borrow one and immediately realize that there are several punks coming from anywhere around the world.
At first I do not mind, but then a thought comes to my mind. “Will the Bay Fest become a super mega fest, like the Punk Rock Holiday?” Frankly I hope so, but only time will be able to answer this question, meanwhile I can say that the number of days has increased along with the quality.
After a trip to Igea Marina and a swim in the sea, I realize that the opening time is getting closer so I head to the park where the three days of concerts will take place .

Day 1:
The stalls are not so many but of a high quality, I will mention Sea Shepherd, Agripunk and Flamingo Records.

While I’m still realizing where I am, Lennon Kelly start playing. The band, founded in 2011, self-defines its style “Folk Rock and Rural Punk”. Their musical proposal, which also includes a good dose of Irish punk, is not in my list, but they are great musicians and proved to be at ease on stage.

It’s the turn of Pears, a band from New Orleans founded in 2014. I had listened to something and I really liked it, but on stage they’re from another planet. They have an incredible impact with fast, furious, but also melodic and harmonious tracks, especially in choirs and choruses. Zach, the singer, at some point gets crazy and comes down among the audience. A great band, both from the musical and from the entertainment point of view. Moments to remember: Zach stumbling on the return speaker at the beginning of the concert, the birthday song for their tour manager Lisa and the legendary “Judy Is A Punk” by Ramones played at awesome speed.

Still upset by the Pears show, I notice that the curtain has changed and it’s the turn of Raw Power. I have seen them many times and I have an incredible respect for them. They start badly due to technical issues on the guitar that had a horrible sound, but after solving, they recover and in the second part of their show they are devastating as ever. “State Oppression” closes their set by unleashing those, unfortunately, few in front of the stage. Amen, they’re still legends and it will always be a pleasure to see them.

After a few chats, it’s the turn of Undeclinable Ambuscade, a recently reunited Dutch group. I did not know much about the band, but I like their style.
As they go on stage, I’m overwhelmed with their levity and their desire to have fun typical of the 90’s punk. I’m astonished when I realize they have three guitars and they do not form a “wall”, they aren’t so useful, but who cares. Jasper’s voice is a bit in distress on the high notes but his cheer is contagious. The band is full of energy and gives its best on “Can not Bring Me Down”, “Love Story” and my favorite track, “7 Years”, that sees the female singer’s participation and “The African Song” that closes the set and gets everybody dancing. Applause!

It’s the turn of Less Than Jake, a band from Gainesville founded in 1992. Undoubtedly my favorite ska-punk group, I had read that they were incredible live and I had the proof. They’re extraordinary, also because starting with the most famous track “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads” and then dropping neither intensity nor quality means that being on stage is like staying at home. Everybody dances to the latest note, with great participation in “Johnny Quest Thinks We Are Sellouts”. An immense passion, a striking technique and great sympathy and a desire to entertain were the key of their performance. One of the most engaging groups I have ever seen. Chapeau.

After this hour full of pure energy I go back to the tent ready to recover to enjoy the second day that promises to be crackling.

Day 2:
The day begins with an unsustainable heat inside the tent, so I go to the sea and, like the first day, I follow the usual festival routine: walking, greeting friends, eating (lots of piadinas) and drinking.

The first band of the day is Linterno, a group from Bologna founded in 2002, on a very important stage at last. Shame they played only 15 minutes and they had to cut the set but, alas, that’s the timetable. An extra song does not change the story, they gave their best and made the most of this opportunity. Hardcore tracks with the right melodic mood. Congratulations, guys, hope to see you soon!

Stage change is fast and it’s the turn of 7years, a band coming from “the west coast, from Livorno” as Matteo, the singer, says. They have little time and use it well too, starting with a fast and sustained song, with both fast and melodic, old and new tracks in the set (they recently released a new album, “Lifetime”). They end up, if I’m not mistaken, with “Tell Me A Story”, which I remember for the very catchy chorus. I did not know them and I found them amazing!

Then Andead start, a punk rock band from Milan since 2007. Alas I do not like their musical proposal and their live show doesn’t tell me much. Say what you want, you can not like everything! However, listen to them to have an idea.

The time for a chat with a friend then I realize that all the people are going under the stage; yes, it’s the turn of Shandon! Maybe I was the only one there who didn’t even know one song, so what I say is worth twice. They were cool and their show was amazing. Everybody danced and jumped thanks to their ska-core proposal and I’m going to get to know them better!

From now on it’s the turn of the three Californian bands that made history. The first to get on stage is Good Riddance, which is one of my favorite bands and unfortunately in Italy does not seem to me to be appreciated as it deserves. The band is full of energy and in the time allowed (1 hour) alternates old songs to tracks from their latest (superlative) album with “Disputatio”, a powerful bass intro that will be the best of the new course. Russ’ voice is a bit in distress, but the band is in shape and moves a lot on stage, even involving the audience at times. They gave their best during “Letters Home,” “Weight Of The World,” “Heresy, Hypocrisy and Revenge,” and “Salt,” with “Mother Superior” sung by the crowd. They close their great show with a masterpiece, “Shit Talking Capitalists”, just a minute straight into your face. Huge.

The curtain tells me that it’s time for Pennywise, a band from Hermosa Beach, California, founded in 1988. Of the three times I saw them, this was the best. They set off with impressive volumes and the audience gets crazy. On “Can’t Believe It”, the second track in the set, an infernal moshpit starts. The sequence of songs is perfect and they make the right pauses at the right times, with three covers: “T.N.T.” by ACDC, “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” by Beastie Boys and the inevitable “Stand By Me”. I give up the hope to hear my favorite song, “Homesick”, but it does not matter, they are awesome and on stage they are masters. “Society”, “Fight Till You Die” and “Fuck Authority” are the most popular tracks along with “Perfect People” and “Peaceful Day”, while the finale “Bro Hymn” as always dedicated to legendary Jason Thirsk gets the enthusiast crowd to sings this punk milestone until the last chorus.

After this incredible concert it’s the turn of the professor and his band, the punk rock legends: Bad Religion. They go on stage and start with “American Jesus”, which inflames the four thousand and more people. After that, they continue with “New Dark Ages”, “Do What You Want” and “Atomic Garden”. A powerful start. The Los Angeles band seems to be lit up with the energy of the crowd and therefore there is a synergy between the group and the audience that has no equal. Chilling. In the middle of the set, “I Want To Conquer The World”, “Fuck You” and “Come Join Us”,  manage to keep up the level of the show with people singing every single word. Before the encore, Bad Religion decide to show off “Los Angeles is Burning,” “21st Century (digital boy),” Generator”, “Sorrow, “and” Punk Rock Song,”. In the encore there is time for the last three tracks, with “Infected” and “Fuck Armageddon … This is Hell” that leave no escape. Bad Religion are simply sumptuous, with an impressive Brian Baker in solos, Greg Graffin who “teaches” and Jay Bentley as the group showman.

After this wonderful evening, some more chat and we go to sleep. Or to the after party, depending on your alcoholic inclinations.

Day 3:
The day starts well, as usual, with the now classic bath at sea, a lot of piadinas (like during Less Than Jake) and finding old and new friends. Ah, I found a pair of 90’s style sunglasses for a few euros, but this really does not interest you!

Back to the concerts area, ready to eat and breathe the dust as in the previous days.
LineOut, from Robecchetto with Induno (MI), is the first band. I was familiar with them, having reviewed their “Guardians Of Punk Rock”, an important name, a fabulous album.
I had never seen them live, so I was very curious and in spite of the short time allowed, they used it very well. Tense tracks and imperious insert    s. Great technicians, an absolutely phenomenal bass player and a striking attitude. Melodic hardcore as it should be, maybe they aren’t immediate impact given the strong technical component, but trust me, they’re a blast!

Cattive Abitudini, a band born from the ashes of Peter Punk, start with their melodic punk rock sung in Italian. I am not a fan of this genre and they do not make me crazy, but credit where credit is due. On stage they gave their best, they involved the audience, keeping a great rhythm for 20 minutes and making us sit down and then jump up on the last track.

The third to go on stage are Vanilla Sky. In my opinion, they have nothing much to do with these three days. Their pop-punk with many alternative influences is not my thing and seeing them live did not change my mind. As for Andead, someone will hate me, but I want to be honest.

It’s the turn of Ignite, a socially and politically committed band which, like those of the second day, has a very contagious “positive-attitude”. I remember the birthday song dedicated to Simone of NH3 (we want them at the Bay Fest next year!), and when they called on stage the Sea Shepherd Italy volunteers. The start is not easily forgotten, with the audience jumping and pushing. Zoli’s voice is extraordinary and I notice that he has the same look as Pennywise’s Jim Lindberg (the reason why he was the substitute voice for Pennywise for a while ?!). I love their punk rock that knows how to be powerful even when it does not accelerate and puts the right melodic line in every track. The band concludes its set with “Bleeding”, a masterpiece sung along by the crowd.

Punctual like a Swiss watch Anti-Flag come on stage, for the occasion with an American flag turned upside down as curtain. The Pittsburgh band has never hidden its political inspiration, indeed it has made it a career mantra. I really enjoyed the set that starts with “The Press Corpse” and includes great songs such as “1 trillion dollars”, “Fuck Police Brutality”, “Die For The Government”, “This Machine Kills Fascists” and “Turncoat”. Their anti-fascist, anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-capitalist speeches are greatly appreciated by the audience, which is engaged and carried away by the quartet’s power. To me they are the best group I have seen in the three days and I want to emphasize that I did not know them much. They devoured the stage, jumping, running and making the crowd sing in every song. An excellent performance with the last song sung among the crowd. Fuck barriers!

Hard to recover after such a show, so it’s up to Face To Face, a historic band with Trever Keith, a standstill in the lineup since ’91 and an impressive bassist, Scott Shiflett. They start with 1-2-1-2-3-4 “You’ve Done Nothing” and go on alternating classics such as “Walk The Walk”, “Ordinary,” “I Will not Lie Down,” “I’m Trying” with songs such as “Bill of Goods” with a chorus sung by the audience and others from their latest, gorgeous album, “Protection”. They close their set with “Disconnected”, perhaps the most famous, certainly the most involving song. Second time in Italy for them, the second time I see them. I love them and their fast and direct punk rock style makes them one of my favorite bands. They also have an important meaning for me and Radio Punk, as this project starts in 2011 shortly after seeing them and No Use For A Name in Bologna. Simply great.

After a long preparation it is the turn of the headliners of this Bay Fest 2017 last night. Rise Against are featuring videos on monitors that will accompany the entire performance of the Chicago band. Tim, voice and guitar, and his band, are famous for their social and political commitment and their very melodic and impressive style, as well as for the singer’s wonderful and unmistakable voice. On stage they are awesome, they have an impressive power and the passion they play with is amazing. The feeling with the audience is strong and everyone agrees on the beginning with “Re-education (Through Labor)”. The set includes songs that made the band famous such as “Satellite”, “Give It All” and “Ready To Fall,” and ends with masterpieces such as “Prayer of The Refugee” and “Savior”. A great concert. We go to sleep satisfied and the next day back home.

We are at the end of the report, I said what I had to say, writing and reviewing is always a pleasure and also gives me back good memories. It was a beautiful fest and I had a great time, listening to a lot of punk rock and seeing old friends and meeting new ones; I’m not naming names because I wouldn’t like to forget someone, but those who spent with me even two minutes during these three days are for sure in these lines.
I congratulate the Bay Fest staff and the bands and with a joyful heart I say goodbye, hoping to see you soon at a punk concert!

And now, to close at best, here’s the favorite column of Radio Punk fans: top and flop 3! But this time it will only be top, because the positive attitude of Ignite infected me, so ONLY for today, no flop. Only nice things, for the bad ones there is always time!
Only some constructive criticism: I will always say and I’ve always said: “but all these thousands of people at the self-organized concerts, those nice DIY (do it yourself) concerts…”. No, no … I will not ask as usual “where are you ?!” etc etc, I will just say: start going, because there is a world out there besides big groups and mega-festivals. Go, support, socialize, love punk rock. For mega fests and big groups there is always time, but choose to support the people who work hard and the punks who have a craving to play and spread their message with their music. Go, if we are more even at those concerts you have so far deserted, we’ll have more fun! End of the sermon, now let’s laugh and joke!

TOP 3:
1. the Flabongo. Those who were there on the first night, will not forget the moment when Less Than Jake called a fan who had a flamingo beerbong. You are a genius, pal!
2. Garbageman! That idol who made pirouettes and other technical-athletic-ballistic gestures over the garbage can. This is the circus we like, not that with animals. Great.
3. The Anti-Flag Sweatshirt, which is:
Anti-Racist
Anti-Homophobia
Anti-Sexist
Anti-Capitalist
Anti-Transphobic
Anti-Fascist
Anti-Nationalist
Anti-War
Anti-Flag
Oh, in life you have to be clear! All right, good message, direct and effective, as well as punk. Beautiful back of the sweatshirt with a star made up of broken guns. Rating 10+.

Thank you so much for reading this live report, see you in the middle, in front of those who play!

Live report by T.S., E.P.
Translation by E.C.