Party-goer's guide to 5Fest entertainment
By Melanie Barnes, Entertainment Writer
May 17, 2008 | 6 a.m.
Put down the beer bong and head to the stage because the entertainment for this year’s 5Fest is more explosive than ever. Plan the day around some of the best acts to grace the stage at one of the best parties in southern Ohio on Saturday, May 17.
5Fest, which originated as 1Fest in 2004, is an all-day outdoor event founded by former Ohio University students Dominic Petrozzi and Tim Kehoe. What began with approximately 4,000 attendees has now grown to an expected 13,000, a number that continues to grow with each successful year. 5Fest is produced by Industry Standard, Petrozzi's recording studio and street couture clothing boutique in Columbus. Many of the acts on this year’s bill are brought together by Industry Standard.
“In previous years the attendees make the fun on their own," Petrozzi said. "There’s never been much of a party focus. This year the quality of music for the fest has increased, and the vibe is going to be a lot more party-like.”
New to this year’s event is a half-pipe demo, where skaters are welcome to come out and jump on the ramp. Also a graffiti expo will feature the PBJ Crew from Columbus.
“It’s the most ridiculous party of the year," Petrozzi said. "We feel we’re taking over Halloween as our number-one party in regards to entertainment value and fun factor of the day. Saying it’s going to be the time of your life is kind of corny in a sense, but it’s going to be the biggest we’ve done so far.”
Kicking off the event is DJ Edski, headlining 5Fest on the ones and twos. One of the hottest DJs from some of the most exclusive clubs in Los Angeles, DJ Edski is bringing with him an arsenal of musical mashups, ranging anywhere from reggae to classic rock and ’90s hip-hop to Top 40. “I’m bringing a different type of music to Ohio,” he said. “Keep your ears open.”
Next up is the hip-hop trio Apocalypse Inc. Hailing from Columbus, members Colin Garchar, Mayh3m! and DJ Cheese were not originally slated to play 5Fest but instead were voted in to the bill as part of an online contest, beating out more than 30 other bands. Lyrically these men do not promote drugs, violence or disrespecting women. “We try to keep it upbeat,” Garchar said. They have shared the stage with the likes of Blueprint, Illogic, Aesop Rock and OneBeLo.
“I expect the crowd to jump around and get crazy. That’s the main thing we focus on,” Garchar said. “Instead of performing a set routine, we try to start a party. You go to concerts to have fun, so we try to throw parties, not have concerts.”
Times Up Productions, or T.U.P., takes over the stage next with a plethora of rap talent from the Columbus music scene. With influences that range from Dr. Dre and Timbaland to Kanye West and Pimp C, T.U.P.’s mix of witty lyrics and smooth beats gives them a chill sound and a laid-back atmosphere.
The One-Eyed Show hits next as an eclectic six-man army from St. Marys, Ohio. A funky mix of rock, country and blues, The One-Eyed Show’s influences are blended from roots in The Allman Brothers Band, The Eagles and Bob Marley. Also, according to their MySpace, they taste like jelly donuts.
A.M.O is a Columbus-based hip-hop group managed by Industry Standard. “They patent their style after the Diplomats,” Petrozzi said. “They have kind of an east coast Roc-A-Fella sound.”
Next to take the stage is Downplay, the singular rock-oriented band on the day’s set list. Focusing on catchy melodies and an alternative rock sound, Downplay most closely resembles a mix of Breaking Benjamin meets Three Days Grace and the Foo Fighters. Featuring four graduates of OU, Downplay has been a favorite of OU students and a veteran to a number of fests, performing this past weekend at Palmer Fest.
“The music has never been the forefront or the focal point of the day,” vocalist Dustin Bates said. “We’re really trying to get people to come up to the stage and just get the majority of the people out there to crowd the stage and make it a rock concert.”
The next crowd treat is F.A.M. Fresh Entertainment, a hype rap duo from Columbus, bringing quick lyrics and a sound reminiscent of early Eminem.
Jesty Beatz, OU alumnus and staple to any event involving live music, is playing a set of tunes from his latest CD, Deal or No Deal 2, as well as old favorites from previous releases.
B.YONEST, another Columbus artist of Industry Standard, has performed at all of 5Fest’s predecessors. With sound that has elements of Talib Kweli and Eminem, B.YONEST will be pairing up with fellow rapper CAM from Industry Standard.
“I’m a very pinpoint, precise, quick-witted and outspoken loudmouth from the heart,” B.YONEST said. “I’ve never written a lyric that I didn’t believe in or gotten on stage and said something I didn’t think was true. I think it. I write it down. I don’t care what I say. I just say it.”
Young Wise, the last artist to take the stage before DJ Edski spins the night away, is a rising rap talent from Columbus. After winning a MTV2 contest by creating and submitting a music video, Young Wise has been getting play across MTV and MTV2.
“My sound is really Midwest,” Young Wise said. “A lot of people like the South’s snappy music, but I like to represent Ohio. I like me, which, for the most part is just good music you can really just listen to.”
In between chugging beers and doing keg stands, be sure to show love to the guys on stage providing the music to make the party. Come to the stage and rock out with them for the one day that everyone is going to be talking about until 6Fest.
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Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door. Find directions, ticket information and the complete set list with performance times at 5fest.com.