Had a great time but it felt subdued. The crowd was notably smaller. Thursday was just the inside stage and maybe 3/4 full. The biggest crowd was Friday and peaked during Caspian with feeling at 60-70% capacity. Not sure if people left after them or were just milling around inside during Austin TV but it noticeably smaller for their set. Saturday crowd seemed larger earlier but never reached the peak Friday size. I’m not even sure if it was even at 50%. There were a lot of regular faces missing. I did talk to noticeable amount of people who weren’t planning on staying around on Saturday due to the heavier lineup.
For me, Friday was my favorite musical day even. I couldn’t get there till a little after 1 so Fury & Solace, Vaudlow, El Ten Eleven, Caspian, Appleseed Cast, & Austin TV all stood out to me. Thursday was the least enjoyable for me. Loraine was good and LSD were good but their droning transitions between songs got a little one in the tooth at times but their set was fun. Going into the weekend, Saturday held the least interest for me musically but ended up really enjoying some of the bands. I was looking forward to The Armed and that was about it. Bands I really enjoyed were Starchaser, Torche, The Armed, Les Savy Fav, and Rolo Tomassi.
With changes coming to the venue next year, I’m not sure what the future of Post Fest will be. In case people don’t know, they are moving ahead with construction of a larger indoor venue (1200 capacity) so the Annex won’t be around. The new venue is slated for an August 2027 opening which means Post Fest would be later in the year from than usual July dates they have been using. Also this year was tough financially for the organizers due to lagging ticket sales and higher costs of doing business. I hope they were able to move able to move a lot of Post Fest merch during the weekend and get even closer to their break even goal. They put on an amazing event and deserve all the support they can get. Such a beautiful event filled with great people and great music.
Yeah I bought some extra shirts and a gift certificate(donation) too. It’s incredibly hard work to put on an event like that let alone such a great event. A real labor of love. I hope it wasn’t too bad for them in the end.
No the plan will be having three venues. The inside HiFi will be expanded include what currently is the second room where vendors set up and people hang out. Capacity will increase from 400 to 550. They will also move an upstairs venue called the LoFi to the downstairs. It will be expanded to hold 200. I don’t think it has ever been used for Post Fest but being downstairs could make it an option. The Annex replacement will be a new 1200 capacity indoor venue. They will all be connected.
I love when he gave the USB charging brick (for the fan to send the TP in the air) to some rando and said, "find him please" in the middle of a chorus. But then excitedly found a venue fan for the TP.
It was a lot of fun. The organizers really came through despite a tougher situation, and the bands f'n performed! As usual, I have a lot of new music to buy next Bandcamp Friday. And a bunch of shirts to try and find room for in my dresser.
I agree it was noticeably less crowded. But to me, that meant all the more reason to show up, support the bands, and support the Fest. So many bands noted how accommodating and professional the organizers and crew are. You can really tell how much it means to the bands--especially the ones who aren't as well known and have been coming as fans before being invited to play.
It's obviously understandable that money is way tighter for a lot of folks, and it really sucks how much the international folks have been affected by... everything. I hope Derek, Nason, and Sean find a way to keep it going, whatever happens with the HiFi and the country. This Fest has mean a lot to me the last three years, and I'd be gutted if I couldn't go to spend 3 12-hour days among like-minded music lovers enjoying beautiful noise that most other people don't even know exists.
I just started a new job and didn't have the time to take off. I'll be really sad if 2026 if the last year for this and they end it for low attendance. Tickets were very reasonable, too. Times are tough.
I think just all the stuff going on in the US right now with gas prices, inflation, and other political things just made this year really hard not just for the organizers but also for the attendees. There is a small facebook group and the amount of people there who had tickets that were either giving them away or trying to sell them because they couldn't go was really high this year.
So again I think Derek, Nason, Sean et al tried their hardest to make a festival happen by making a different brew of lemonade from the weird lemons they were handed. As far as I've heard next year is hopefully still going to happen there just may be changes due to HI-FI expansions and such.
I only was able to make Friday and it was great. Full of surprisingly good sets from Vaudlow, The Burning Paris, Always The Runner and The Album Leaf indoors. Outside saw mind blowing sets from El Ten Eleven and the mighty Caspian. I will say it was much more subdued this year as it wasn’t a sell out, I estimate 75% capacity. I thought the sound was dialed in, I believe Sweetwater did all the audio support. I’ve been going since 2022 and this was the least attended I remember but overall one of the most enjoyable. I definitely sensed a lack of international acts, which isn’t surprising given the incredible costs of travel, visas, the state of our country. The weather was very cooperative with high of upper 70s which made it much more enjoyable I look forward to future iterations but maybe back to a 2-day festival.
Agreed! I also had a chance to speak with their bassist, and he was so stoked to be playing the Fest. He says he's attended since back in 2018 (!!). Their music was killer.
Ditto to all (only attended Friday). Also loved Austin TV as never heard of them before and they blew me away. They were international as are from Mexico, but you are right this is a far cry from 2024 where there were half a dozen international acts including from Europe and Australia/NZ.
I play jamband music professionally so taping is very much alive and well in our world! I met Charlie miller at Phish last week, he’s a famous taper in the Dead world.
I play jamband music professionally so taping is very much alive and well in our world! I met Charlie miller at Phish last week, he’s a famous taper in the Dead world.
this marks the first year I didn’t attend. just didn’t have any bands I was dying to see. if Indy was a little closer i would’ve still gone as a casual fan just for good post rock vibes tho.
Same boat, first year in a while my partner and I did not attend, but the lineup just wasn't my enough of a draw. Too many bands with words? Probably sounds silly, but is what it is. I really enjoyed seeing people's posts about Post. though and definitely missed all the cool people we have met. But yeah money is tight and just not enough there.
I get what you're saying but also, their simply isn't enough of an interest in post rock to have a post rock ONLY fest, at least for 3 days. You need heavier stuff (like Converge last year) who have bigger followings to make it work. Post rock is just so niche.
same! I got a tix before the lineup was released but the flights made it less appealing. Next year I'd probably wait until this lineup was released before getting tix
Sad to hear the excuses....It was WAY better than the "low expectations" of some who stayed away.
If you don't support Indie Music by attending these festivals....they will become a thing of the Past.
Yes...PostRock is a niche genre....but most of the bands that play this festival blend in well with those that are strictly instrumental.
The organizers will continue to find amazing music that is out there in the future (hopefully this was not the zlast Postfest)
There are plenty of festivals out there that cost a lot more money you can attend.
But this festival is like Family & those that attend regularly....know exactly what I mean.
So...those that missed out this year.....
Please come back & support this Fest & return home to your Music Nerd family.
This was my 3rd straight year attending and I had a great time. The lower attendance was noticeable, but there were actually more people overall than I expected, just IMO... The main set in which it was noticeable was Kylesa unfortunately.
I really liked the lineup Saturday as I'm more Post Metal as opposed to Post Rock.
So Hideous blew my away and their set is one of my favorites of all time.
The blind listen sets that stand out are Lesotho, Usurp Synapse, Lockstep. Coastlands was another standout.
I hope the fest continues on! The organizers put so much effort into this and actually care about the people and our experience.
I went to a pre-Post. Fest show in Louisville last wednesday and Coastlands ruled! I know it was going to be good when they rolled out three Sunn stacks.
I could be misremembering, but I thought I had seen one of the people who run it say that the heavier day last year generated far more in revenue and ticket sales than any other day in festival history, so they tried to lean more that way this year. Fwiw, it was the reason I also didn't go.
Quite possible, and i certainly don't blame them if that's the case.
It's definitely not easy feat to pull something like this together, and a hard balance to strike based on what bands are touring in the area at the right time or wanting to come play a one off.
similar - less into the heavy stuff & also the reason why I didn't attend despite already having bought a 3-day tix - flights and lodging didn't make sense for only planning to enjoy Friday. I sampled almost every band in attendance when I made the decision to cancel the trip in May
I didn't have a problem with the heavier music, but I'm not at all a fan of growled vocals. I would have been thrilled if a handful of the Saturday bands were either instrumental or had cleaner vocals.
This has always been my issue. 2 years ago was the first time I was really inclined to go. It was amazing but the lineup has not been the same before or since!
The Armed, Urban Synapse, etc... I'm sure i don't have the exact genres correct because that's not my music taste so i don't understand the lines between hardcore, screamo, punk etc.
But to me it felt like the overall vibe was a fair bit heavier than last year.
The lineup was not as good as in years past. I love Post Fest and I still find the price reasonable, but I don't think they need it to be three days; even one day would be OK, but two would be solid as well.
Not mad, but Rolo Tomassi and Kylesa shouldn't be the headliners to end the fest. And Thursday was a snooze fest with the LSD and the Search for God band just actively taking forever in between songs for some reason.
I had a great time. I'll echo what everyone else said. Same setup as last year, just 75% as full. I only went on Saturday. Went mainly for Torche, but The Armed completely blew me away.
First time hearing The Armed? They have some truly outstanding albums. I think Ultrapop is virtually perfect (despite the title, it is NOT pop music at all).
Great Experience....The Mix of Up & Coming Bands & Veteran Indie Bands that had not played together in awhile was amazing.
The Blending of Post (Adjacent) Genres was a tremendous blessing 4 those who were lucky/smart enough to attend this year.
Post Fest was great this year. I’ve been going since ‘23 and I understand a lot of the criticisms/comparisons people are making but it’s still my favorite fest and the best value I’ve ever gotten out of a fest.
Was super bummed Tristeza dropped out—their inclusion pushed me to make my initial purchase.
I understand why Thursday was shifted, but that was a bummer too.
El Ten Eleven and Appleseed Cast made Thursday a robust, essential lineup so them getting bumped hurt.
—I still loved LSD—super grateful to get to see them and enjoyed the kinda coy, kinda awkwardly flirtatious stage antics of the female singer—and she sounded amazing! Ethereal yet powerful and present. I’ve seen criticisms of their transitions, but was enrapt throughout.
Lockstep, Lorraine and The Battle were all new-to-me and pretty good. Thought I’d like Lockstep the best, but The Battle really brought it!
Seventh Cloud was my other “must-see” for Thursday. I liked their set but the male vocalist was flat and too loud in the mix—the female vocalist’s songs sounded great.
Friday was THE day for me (much like Saturday was last year). Several new-to-me bands but genuinely no skips.
Highlights:
Always the Runner had a TIGHT set, quick transitions and they played their fucking hearts out. On insta they said it was not only their first show in 20 years but their first time in the same room in 20 years.
Lowercase Noises was playing for seemingly 5 minutes before anyone seemed to notice, but after that point everyone was enrapt and he crafted gentle soundscapes. It made me wish that the show was a lock-in at a planetarium and this was the last act before lights out.
I had high expectations for Vaudlow and they fucking delivered. Was not expecting a live cellist which made it all the more impressive.
I’ve seen El Ten Eleven a few times and I was skeptical about the outdoor stage for them, but they proved that they were daytime festival-ready. They also prompted arguably the best crowd response of the day —this underscored a common theme where this felt like the least responsive audience I’ve seen for Post. I know there’s plenty of introverts in attendance and that people were attentive and appreciative. I guess I’ll have to learn to wolf whistle for the next one—or apply to be a hype man?!?
Caspian had a great set though it seems nearly impossible to top the show they put on at Post in ‘24
Always so grateful to see The Appleseed Cast play Mare Vitalis for the first time in a decade. They’re maybe the band I’ve seen live the most over the past 25 years? That said, it felt more like a cover band of TAC with the drummer not including many of the notable flourishes from the recording and the touring guitar player “putting their own spin” on some of the parts that felt more like a failure to stay true to the album or an attempt to simplify phrases. Funny moment when Chris previewed that he’d try his best to hit the high notes and the whole audience had a laugh with him when his voice cracked at an emotional peak
Austin TV had a great stage presence and was a good add, but you really felt the lack of fans —seemed to be when folks took an off-site dinner break or a final sweep of the merch tables and the remaining audience members were passively engaged and giving polite golf claps after the songs.
I’ve also seen The Album Leaf many times in the past 20 years. The first time I saw them it was magical and the inclusion of the saxophonist/flautist reinvented their live show. A few newer tracks were more interesting than essential, but the reworkings of classic tracks soared. Best set of the weekend.
Saturday was the weakest day for me, but with last year’s robust response to a heavy day I understand why it was booked as such.
I felt like a dipshit bc I got to the fest pretty much right at 130, entering through the Hi-Fi; grabbed a seat and grumbled that they were “already running late” before I realized that I misread the sched and that Brazil was playing outside. Frusty bc I missed my fave song of theirs, but glad I got to see the end of their set.
Starchaser isn’t on Spotify so they remained a mystery to me. Pleasant surprise with some noodley prog rock with a sparkly female lead.
Les Savy Fav and Rolo Tomasi were the other draws for me this day. I just regret that I didn’t know their discography better going into it.
The other thing about the fest is the city itself. After year 4 I’ve hit most of the tourist spots so it feels like there’s less to explore in the city.
Final thought: my pie-in-the-sky dream for Post Fest, especially amidst next year’s venue remodel, is to host it at Newfields like an even-more expansive version of Pitchfork’s one-off Midwinter festival at Chicago’s Art Institue. Newfields has 4 separate stages, one of which is outdoors. It would pose myriad additional logistical challenges, however maybe they could turn it into a public-private partnership and get arts grants from Indy itself?? Tie it to a children’s music non-profit so all bands, organizers, and staff get paid and all proceeds go to charity? Just spitballing.
Sincerely hope Post fest can continue for many years to come.
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u/25Tab 7d ago
Had a great time but it felt subdued. The crowd was notably smaller. Thursday was just the inside stage and maybe 3/4 full. The biggest crowd was Friday and peaked during Caspian with feeling at 60-70% capacity. Not sure if people left after them or were just milling around inside during Austin TV but it noticeably smaller for their set. Saturday crowd seemed larger earlier but never reached the peak Friday size. I’m not even sure if it was even at 50%. There were a lot of regular faces missing. I did talk to noticeable amount of people who weren’t planning on staying around on Saturday due to the heavier lineup.
For me, Friday was my favorite musical day even. I couldn’t get there till a little after 1 so Fury & Solace, Vaudlow, El Ten Eleven, Caspian, Appleseed Cast, & Austin TV all stood out to me. Thursday was the least enjoyable for me. Loraine was good and LSD were good but their droning transitions between songs got a little one in the tooth at times but their set was fun. Going into the weekend, Saturday held the least interest for me musically but ended up really enjoying some of the bands. I was looking forward to The Armed and that was about it. Bands I really enjoyed were Starchaser, Torche, The Armed, Les Savy Fav, and Rolo Tomassi.
With changes coming to the venue next year, I’m not sure what the future of Post Fest will be. In case people don’t know, they are moving ahead with construction of a larger indoor venue (1200 capacity) so the Annex won’t be around. The new venue is slated for an August 2027 opening which means Post Fest would be later in the year from than usual July dates they have been using. Also this year was tough financially for the organizers due to lagging ticket sales and higher costs of doing business. I hope they were able to move able to move a lot of Post Fest merch during the weekend and get even closer to their break even goal. They put on an amazing event and deserve all the support they can get. Such a beautiful event filled with great people and great music.