Written by Ariana Assaf
Now in its 13th consecutive year, many people know the story of FYF’s humble (and frankly, uncertain) beginnings as a single-day, hastily planned event at LA’s The Echo and Echoplex. We’ve had the pleasure of watching the festival grow into the most un-moody teenager anyone has ever had the pleasure of dealing with — although the recently announced lineup definitely amps up the sass factor — and this summer, it’s coming back and standing up to the best of ‘em for three full days!
The additional day is a huge leap for the festival, carrying just as much magnitude as its moves from The Echo to the LA State Historic park in 2009, and again to its current home at Exposition Park in 2014. But more importantly, FYF has taken a hint from the wacky world we’re living in and is taking efforts of diversifying music industry representation into its own hands.
In a stunning win for feminism, two of this year’s four headliners are wonder women Missy Elliot and Björk. Overall, female solo artists and female-fronted bands represent 21 of 69 acts on this year’s bill, or 30%. There’s always room for improvement, but that’s a pretty uplifting number if you ask me. I’m personally excited to get down to Little Dragon and The Black Madonna, and see rising stars like Hundred Waters, Cherry Glazerr, and Princess Nokia in action.
Further props to FYF for bringing out more uber-talented boys and girls of color than ever before. From the deeply moving ballads of Frank Ocean and Solange to the alternative, experimental stylings of acts like Mitski, Flying Lotus, and Moses Sumney, we’re thrilled to see a lineup that all members of the LA area and beyond can see parts of themselves in.