FresYes Fest announces 2022 lineup and there's something for everyone. Unless you hate music.
Also, your weekly concert events list.
FresYes Fest has always been the best local music festival that’s not really a music festival.
From the beginning, organizers of Tioga-Sequoia’s day-long block party have brought in bands and musicians that serve the theme (with specific attention to local pride).
While the choices haven’t been wholly inclusive (how could they be?) they’ve always been diverse and presented a nice past/present/future snapshot of the music scene.
It’s always been good primer for anyone wanting a quick overview.
The 2022 lineup, released on Thursday, follows the formula, but really stacks the top end. Meaning?
At least three of the acts could (and have) headlined the event.
Here’s a breakdown:
Strange Vine - Fresno’s longtime favorite indie-rock duo (like since the 2010s). Hauntingly beautiful in their instrumentations and vocal harmonies and, at this point, well used to these kind of festival stages. In fact, they headlined FresYes in 2017.
Patrick Contreras - Perhaps Fresno’s best-known working musician, right now. Over more than a decade Patrick has built a following (and gained national attention) for his non-traditional booking tactics and eclectic mix of violin music, whether it’s dubstep or classic rock covers or the beatbox duet he did with rapper Ginuwine at this year’s Taco Truck Throwdown.
40 Watt Hype - Consistently cool. Putting aside the work of the band (the TV appearances and NFL game performances, the song placement in the Netflix Series, “Narcos”), any time you book 40 Watt Hype you can be guaranteed there will be a crowd at the front of the stage, whooping it up and ready to dance.
Valley Palace - The new kid on the block, relatively speaking. So, pay attention. Those deep in the scene, might remember Nathan Taylor from his work with the indie band The River Wilde. Valley Palace is the solo project he started in his bedroom recording studio in 2019. After releasing a series of well-received singles, Taylor was signed to Run For Cover Records last year.
Bill Clifton and the Chicken and Whiskey Band - Fresno has a strong contingent of blues players and fans (remember the old Tower District blues festivals or weekly blues jams). And FresYes always includes at least one blues band. This year, it’s Bill Clifton’s blues project. Bill is the brother of John Clifton who he played with for years in the MoFo Party Band.
For the Record - Following a long tradition of area ska bands. Signed to Manic Kat Records out of New York. Upbeat, energetic fun. Seriously perfect for a spring day at the beer garden.
The Box - The go-to party band and a favorite at these kind of events (see: Taco Truck Throwdown). Known for doing hip-hop covers (and really well). One would assume the Box will get the late, late slot as an intro for whatever after parties that might be happening.
FresYes Fest happens March 26. Rumors are there is another announcement coming and we could be seeing even more bands being added to this year’s festival. I’ll let you know.
Events list Feb. 7-12
rADOLESCENTS, playing the Adolescents Blue album in its entirety. With Hajj and Noogy, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, Full Circle Brewery District. $15.
Dropout Kings, VRSTY, Guerrilla Warfare, Cloud Construction, Scoundrel and Kid Goku, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, Full Circle Brewery District. $18-$22.
Kenny G, 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, Saroyan Theatre. $53 +
Soulfly, Short Fuse, Farooq and Severed One, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, Strummer’s. $22. All ages.
The Iron Maidens, 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, Fulton 55. $30.
LMC Presents Harry Romero, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb 12, Fulton 55. $10-$20.
That’s it for this week. Remember you can now hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com