The fourth installment of Desert Fest NYC has now come and gone. I want to start by thanking the crew, they ran a three-day fest with everything starting on time and limited technical difficulties throughout the fest, they worked their backsides off and it showed.
Thursday
The weakest point this year was the Thursday pre-fest show, I’m in my 40’s and I felt like the youngest person there. I had much higher expectations than the product I was provided with. Not saying any of the bands were bad, just too much samesies for my taste.
Friday
Friday was stacked, opening with NY natives Guhts and ending with High on Fire, but having Amenra, Primitive Man, Belzebong, Domkraft, Deathchant, Blackwater Holylight and more sprinkled in between made for an awesome day. Hands down favorite of the day Amenra! They are punishing in all the best ways, and they have killer visuals to match.
Saturday
Saturday was the party day, with perfect East Coast early fall weather, The outdoor Ruins Stage was the place to be with Truckfighters, Dozer, Hippie Deathcult, and Gozu all melting faces and bringing the riffs. The Saint Vitus Presents Texas stage was that nice mix of something different I was speaking of above with Benin, Trace Amount, Infinity Ring, HIgh Desert Queen, and Tower all bringing something diverse and I was here for it. The Main stage was no slouch though starting off with Spaceslug (my personal highlight), Eagle Twin’s two-piece onslaught, and Green Lung’s second-ever US show on there first ever US tour (so happy they got their visas sorted so we can see them a few more times in the next coming years). Acid King showed the crowd why they have been mainstays in the stoner metal scene for thirty years. Russian Circles closed everything out with their atmospheric noise adventures through time and space.
All and all it was a solid weekend and I have high expectations for next year. All I know is that the venue is already booked so it’s happening and I’m just going to have to wait until then for some more Desert family fun in NYC.
Follow Desertfest online for future announcements, tickets, and merch:
https://www.desertfestnewyork.com/
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY DANTE TORRIERI
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