Keeping Fun Fun Fun Fest Weird [Fun Fun Fun Fest Memory]

Weird Al's MySpace

Although it may seem like an odd choice, my fondest memory from Fun Fun Fun Fest in the two years I've been has to be "Weird Al" Yankovic's festival kickoff set last year. For me, it was one of those performances I didn't know I had to experience until after it was over. To see many of the songs that me, my dad, and my siblings had bonded over when I was young was an amazing feeling, not to mention the fact that Al absolutely killed it onstage. With costume changes, visual gimmicks like breaking a guitar he barely played, and hit after hilarious hit, I felt like I was experiencing all those songs for the first time again. It set the tone for the rest of the weekend, and made last year's installment even more enjoyable than the one that had preceded it.

Of course, I have seen plenty of other great sets over the last few years at Austin's little festival that could. The Antlers, The Hold Steady, and Fucked Up immediately come to mind, and there have always been a handful of left field surprises like Foot Patrol, Big Freedia, and the always excellent Dominique Young Unique. There is also an atmosphere to Fun Fun Fun Fest that feels unlike any other festival I've attended, making me even more excited about this year - especially considering how it has grown exponentially over the last twelve months.

This year's lineup is undoubtedly the best and most ambitious yet. For starters, Spoon's only show of 2011 should see the band in top form, and it will finally give me the chance to see them play a full set. Also, the chance to catch the legendary Public Enemy is simply too good to pass up, as their material still runs circles around approximately 98.5% of all rap released in the last 25 years. And, I'll finally get to see what Slayer is all about (please don't throw things at me for having never listened to them before).

Several other sets I'm particular excited for include seeing Girls play behind their amazing Father, Son, Holy Ghost, a rare chance to see Architecture In Helsinki, The Thermals, Four Tet, Henry Rollins, and the exceedingly talented Future Islands. Of course, that's just touching the tip of the iceberg on groups I already know I want to see. Add to that the endless possibilities of walking around and sampling some of the many group's I've either never heard of or are not too familiar with, and this year's festival is already looking like it will provide more great memories.