This year, Fox Fest will be held at Mary Jean Plaza from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 26.
After months of anticipation, some setbacks, and weeks of planning, The Sandspur and 91.5 WPRK FM are more than proud to announce the official return of Fox Fest. For a brief period, budget issues caused a roadblock in creating something as majestic as last year’s Fox Fest. However, due to generous donations from B&B Junction, Charyli, Orlando Fashion Square Mall, Orlando Weekly, and Phat Planet Studios, we are confident that this year’s Fox Fest will solidify its status as a new tradition at Rollins.
This year’s lineup consists of some of the best local music Orlando has to offer. From shock rockers Room Full of Strangers, the progressive rock of Mojave Wilde, electronic DJ muse Fortune Howl, to funky, soul-inspired headliner The Groove Orient, there is not a free concert around that can boast the talent that will be at Fox Fest. New this year is the addition of visual artists from Rollins College, as we want Fox Fest to include multiple mediums of entertainment and artistic value.
Sea Dog Brewing Company will host a cash bar providing beer and other refreshments. The Meat House will supply delicious food options, including vegetarian options as well. This year Fox Fest will be held at Mary Jean Plaza (behind Dianne’s Café and the bookstore) from 4 to 10 p.m., so come first with your beach towels to lounge in the lawn and stay late to stand close to The Groove Orient’s jarring bass and guitar.
This event is more than the sum of its parts, however. Student media at Rollins has reached new heights over the past four years; student participation has increased in both outlets—we now have a burgeoning video department, and The Sandspur and WPRK continue to receive national recognition for their contribution to college media. Fox Fest celebrates the achievements of a group of students passionate about a common cause — putting on a b***** show, no foxes given.
Featured Bands:
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Review by Alex Fang
There are very few bands these days that sound better live than on CD. Room Full of Strangers is one of those bands. Combining psych-rock with jangle pop, the Orlando-based band puts on a theatrically dazzling and aurally inspiring show. Room Full of Strangers combines the psychedelic feel of The Doors with the fun, garage, lo-fi feel of The Strokes into a potent musical force.
Room Full of Strangers has been a staple of the Orlando music scene for almost a decade. Utilizing fishnet tights, ski masks, and other eccentric clothing, they hit the stage with a rock and roll attitude. Albeit odd at first, they attract even the most conservative listener with their catchy riffs and a front man with the charisma of Mick Jagger. Bushwick Daily observes: “Their entrance to the show was at first both puzzling and theatrical, and I soon was intrigued by their presence and surprisingly strong sound. Their hard rocking sound, with frenetic fuzzy guitars and punk-influenced wandering vocal verses hit the spot.”
Though they are best seen live and in your face, Room Full of Strangers certainly do not disappoint when they enter the studio. Their debut EP, Ten Thousand, features fun songs with classically memorable choruses in songs like “Let’s Build an Idol.” “Forget the orgies and the chicken feathers too, ‘cause now we got this kick-ass idol for you,” lead singer Mick Mclaun wails.
Their upcoming full length LP, Bad Vacation, is a catchy album with surf rock tunes like the title track and spacey jams like their new single “The Haze.”
From national festivals such as CMJ to weekly gigs at Will’s Pub, Room Full of Strangers is a live band you will want to see. Luckily, you will have the chance this year at Fox Fest ’14, which is this Saturday on Mary Jean Plaza. Whether you end up liking them or not, it is a performance at least you will not forget.
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Review by Drew Devito
Sometimes creating electronic music seems easy. Almost anyone with a laptop and a garage band can throw something together and call it music. Everyone seems to have a cousin with a “new dubstep remix” they are just begging for you to listen to. This is definitely not how I would describe up and coming Orlando electronic/experimental musician Fortune Howl.
Fortune Howl’s first and most recent album,Earthbound, is ironically like entering a dreamland. Bryce Linde, the mastermind behind Fortune Howl, glitches us from track to track and slowly brings us into his own world. While listening to Earthbound’s intricate, yet ear-pleasing, chopped up, yet smooth tracks, you will catch yourself contemplating the atmospheric sounds, bobbing your head, and tapping your feet to the bouncing rhythms. Think Blackmill meets Ethereal Ratatat.
Linde has a lot more talent than your average electronic musician, and Earthbound has a lot more to it than your average electronic album. Give Fortune Howl a listen; you will not regret it. [youtube id=”Bv9G6qjQgkQ” width=”620″ height=”360″] Room Full of Strangers
There are very few bands these days that sound better live than on CD. Room Full of Strangers is one of those bands. Combining psych-rock with jangle pop, the Orlando-based band puts on a theatrically dazzling and aurally inspiring show. Room Full of Strangers combines the psychedelic feel of The Doors with the fun, garage, lo-fi feel of The Strokes into a potent musical force.
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Last Year
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