A free entrance into a pretty well-known festival was not gone to waste as I utilized every privilege I was granted during the two-day Fashion Meets Music Festival in the Arena District during Labor Day Weekend. The event greeted the people looking to see Passion Pit, Matt & Kim, Wavves, DJ Khaled, and many more.
Overall, it appeared that the third year of the Fashion Meets Music Festival was a success, aside from the sparse amount of attendees. The largest crowd that I saw during the two-day event was for Passion Pit, who was Saturday’s last performance. Friday’s finale of Matt & Kim brought the second largest crowd and by far, the most energetic. With performer Kim Schifino climbing into the crowd to twerk, and the duo deciding to throw blow-up dolls and giant beach balls into the crowd, the audience fed off of their insanely lively energy.
As the Matt & Kim performance showed, these smaller crowds didn’t affect the artists’ game-face, Or the liveliness of the attendees. Performers like Wavves and Captiva drew in a whole lot of long-haired rockers who knew every word.
While I wasn’t too familiar with most of the bands playing in this year’s lineup, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself and jumped on the opportunity to interview some up and coming bands like Young Natives, Boymeetsworld, and 7 Minutes in Heaven.
Young Natives — a band managed by Substream Magazine founder, Jason McMahon — travelled to FMMF from Pensacola Beach.
“They’re out there like any other band, just touring and writing and recording,” said McMahon. “It’s all do-it-yourself right now.”
Original members Cory Hiamovi and Chris Keranen played together for years before recruiting bass player George Doneghey and drummer Ben Stalter. With their fourth single, So//so, out as of this month, the boys have plans in their future to go on tour and release more music.
“We are working on trying to record an EP this winter,” stated Keranen.
These guys carry a great time wherever they go, releasing immense amounts of positivity on the stage.
Cincinnati-based band Boymeetsworld includes members Craig Sulken, Ryan Sulken, Andy Richter, Drew Thomason, and Andy Meister. Brothers Ryan and Craig Sulken founded the band in 2012.
“We’ve been playing in a band since sixth grade,” Ryan explains.
The guys have two full albums released, “Become Someone,” and a seasonal album to express their festivity, “Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal.” According to Ryan, the artists all come together in the studio, while vocalist Craig writes most of the music.
The boys wanted to give a shout-out to their PR team, Kelly and Billy Morrison while Thomason wanted to also give a special shout out to 7 Minutes in Heaven. Hopefully we will continue seeing an active Boymeetsworld, as long as their vehicle doesn’t break down in the process.
The Chicago-based 7 Minutes in Heaven also delivered an energetic, enjoyable performance at FMMF. Members Alex Rogers, Timmy Rasmussen, Justin Mondzak and Brennan Gilbert came together from four different states to form 7MIH in 2012.
“I started the band as a solo project and it was a full band,” said Rasmussen. “I met the other guys and they joined in 2012 and in 2014, the other two guys joined. Last year, Brennan joined.”
Aside from attending festivals, the boys have spent the whole summer writing, according to Rasmussen. They should release about six or seven songs for the start of next year with their upcoming album featuring more of a “mature, developed sound,” according to guitarist Mondzak.
I wouldn’t assume that Fashion Meets Music Festival’s main agenda was to introduce me to some new bands, but that’s exactly what happened. Between the plethora of “up-and-coming” bands and the headliners that I hadn’t listened to much yet, my pleasant FMMF experience was a shock. Concert goer Chase Naviello told me that his time at FMMF was “well spent around good people.” If the music didn’t satisfy, there’s no doubt that the people did. This year’s festival brought in friendly, excited people, and the small numbers only made the festival more personal.
“This year, FMMF showcased both national and local, musicians and designers,” said Melissa Dickson, Communications Director at the Fashion Meets Music Festival. “FMMF is happy with the turnout at its third annual festival. We are growing, learning, and will continue to host this event in the heart of Columbus for years to come.”
Whether or not next year shows more numbers or more well-known artists, I can still expect to enjoy myself.
CLICK HERE for more photos from this year’s Fashion Meets Music Festival.
