Highlight of Ft. Worth's Fortress Festival: Run the Jewels, Slowdive, Purity Ring and more
Photography: Bryan Yalta
Although it had a late start because of potential weather hazards, Fortress festival managed to move forward with the cool temperature Saturday, April 29th, the first of the two-day event. Organized around two stages—one by the Will Rogers Memorial Center and the other in the backfield of Ft. Worth’s museum the Modern—festival-goers walked back and forth between the two to catch acts such as Run the Jewels, Peter Hook and the Light, Purity Ring, Survive, Slowdive and more. Here are some of the highlights from the weekend.
Flying Lotus
Two projection screens were raised onstage—one in the background, another in the foreground—only to have Flying Lotus in between both. What can be described as an out-of-this-world visual experience, Flying Lotus’s set was eye-catching from beginning to end. Bringing forth explosions of graphic patterns and mesmerizing soundscapes, this performance fully awed the crowd.
Survive
The Austin four-piece performed at the Modern’s over-water stage in the evening, creating the perfect setting for Survive’s haunting compositions. An abundance of fog and hazy light added the perfect visual touch as the audience watched from a distance the eerie sonic moods intensify onstage.
Run the Jewels
To paraphrase something El-P said that night: “We brought a gift. It was weed, but we smoked it.” The duo’s ecstatic behavior and humor ran wild on the main stage as they closed the first day of the festival. Killer Mike’s dancing moves were enough to pump up the crowd and get them to lip sync to his quick vocal deliveries.
Alvvays
Notwithstanding technical problems, Alvvays powered on with their indie jams on the Modern stage Sunday evening. Being a sunnier day than the last, the band provided a great blend of soothing pop melodies to match the weather.
Peter Hook and the Light
Performing songs from Joy Division and New Order, Peter Hook brought the late '70s, early '80s vibes back to prove that these songs are timeless. Hook’s voice closely resembled New Order singer Bernard Sumner and the late Ian Curtis while adding a virile style of his own.
Slowdive
The Shoegaze act, having returned with a new album, sounded just as similar as their past studio albums. Although the band is older now, their sound seems to have aged very little as was evident with their performance. Shoegaze lives on with Slowdive.
Purity Ring
Bringing the festival to a close, the Canadian duo electrified the main stage with huge crystal-beaded curtains, which produced a dreamy aura. The act’s electronic sound presented to the audience various beats to dance to and go crazy over. Purity Ring’s theatrical stage movements and aesthetic seemed to distract the audience from facing the end of the night, as people lingered in the music. Unfortunately, it all had to come to an end.
The Fortress festival may be over, but you can relive some moments from the weekend with more photos of the acts. Check them out below.