Fun. Fun and possibly one more ‘fun’ should just about convince the public that this festival has the most literal name of any music event in existence.
And that is a compliment. Festivals can quite often be treacherous overpopulated places, which forget to enhance the music from which their premise is supposedly founded upon.
But FFF is about as apt in its name as you’d hope it to be.
Held in the live music capital of the world this music and comedy event is the smaller less noisy cousin of SXSW and Austin City Limits.
Independent since its inception in 2006 FFF is the only genre based festival in America with stages that are dedicated to hip-hop and electronica, indie rock, punk and metal and comedy.
While this event is seemingly upstaged by Austin’s more well known music events, FFF has a proud history of booking the best up and coming underground musicians and comedians that bloggers are yet salivate over.
However the festival isn’t opposed to booking some of the world’s most renowned indie acts. As is demonstrated by past acts such as Girl Talk, The National, M83, Real Estate, The Head and The Heart, Fucked Up, Lykke Li, Passion Pit, Best Coast and Wavves just to name a few.
First held at Waterloo Park the festivals increase in reverence over the years in encapsulated by FFF’s move to the far bigger Auditorium Shores park in 2012.
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While SXSW and Austin City Limits are must attend events for music enthusiasts FFF provides a rare chance to experience Austin’s music scene without the overblown fanfare, yet with no less incredible music.
2014’s lineup looks set to prove that this year will be no different from the last. As you’ll see below the likes of Modest Mouse, Neutral Milk Hotel, Alt-J, Sun Kil Moon and Death From Above 1979 head an incredible bill.
If the lineup hasn’t full convinced you that you need to book flights to the Texan city asap watch the 2010 recap below and read through our quick x step guide to the event for further information.
1. Book Ahead Before It’s Too Late
With the Holiday Early Bird and the Early Bird tickets now sold out punters will have to pay marginally more for a three-day pass. However for the price of US $195 that’s a bargain compared to what us Aussies are used to paying.
Single day tickets, which are available from September 13th, are valued at $85.
For those with cash to burn it may be worth consider the new Ultimate Smooth Pass on offer for $450. It affords you access to leisure lounges, “bathroom experiences of exceptional pleasure”, charging stations, cocktail and craft beers with drink umbrellas, “sweet sight lines”, new access areas and more features that are yet to be announced.
Get your FFF wristbands here.
2. How To Get There
Depending on the location of your accommodation getting to FFF should be relatively easy given it’s held in downtown Austin. While the festival heavily encourages riding to the event for travellers this option isn’t always very practical. The easiest transportation route to the event is via the festivals own shuttle service, which runs from 11am-11pm for each day of FFF. Download the map here to see the multitude of locations where you can catch the service.
Otherwise you can catch a bus with all the local routes and services detailed here.
3. Where Should I Stay In Austin?
While the festival has plenty of partnerships with local hotels like The Driskell, Hilton Austin and Residence Inn Austin Downtown just to name a few, there are numerous hostel options around the city. While two of Austin’s best hostels include Firehouse Hostel and International Hostelling Austin.
4. You Can’t Miss This Year’s Comedy Lineup Either
While we undoubtedly got very excited over the music lineup we haven’t lost sight of the comedy aspect of FFF either. Both components are equally important as each other. The names set to take the Yellow Stage in 2014 include Fred Armisen, John Waters, Neil Hamburger and John Daly to name a few. While other unmissable events at the stage that will take place include the FFF Dating Show and the Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest.
5. Nites Events, Mechanical Bulls, BMX & More Things You Need To Check Out
While details are yet to be revealed keep an eye out for FFF’s Nites program. Yes we’re talking about after parties and shows and yes if you have the energy they’re well worth checking out. Free with your FFF wristband the Nites events, comprised of more than 75 acts, encompasses the best of Austin’s music venues.
Aside from the music FFF also includes a Ride The Plank feature for BMX and Skate enthusiasts. Details of these programs will be announced closer to the festival. In true Texas style a mechanical bull also appears at the event, while a live wrestling ring has in the past featured such athletes as the Sexy Sax Man.
Food is also an important component to FFF, which is great news for international punters. With progressive street food from Austin’s tastemakers (see the taco canon in the video above) it provides ample opportunities to discover the local cuisine.
Need more information? Head to the official Fun Fun Fun Fest website for the answers to all your questions.
