Krazy Fest


Krazy Fest was an American music festival hosted in Louisville, Kentucky. It ran annually from 1998 to 2003, with a one-off comeback in 2011. The first three editions were held during Memorial Day Weekend in mid-late May. From 2001 to 2003, it was held between mid-June to early August.
The event was first organized by Scott Ritcher and Andy Rich, who were both co-owners of the emotional hardcore record label Initial Records, in partnership with Jason Noble, and Mark Brickey. Noble and Brickey were also involved with Initial Records in various functions. Ryan Patterson, senior vice-president of Initial Records, came on board in 2001. As such, the festival principally showcased emotional hardcore bands, but also included melodic hardcore, post-hardcore, punk rock, hardcore punk, metalcore, and indie rock acts.
While in its seventh year's planning in early 2004, Patterson announced to the press that the festival would be postponed from its usual spring or summer date to later in the fall. Patterson stated that the issue rose from the lack of availability for headlining bands and the increased cost of getting bands to play the festival. Initial Records also became defunct around the same time. In late 2004, a VHS/DVD of Krazy Fest 4 and 5 was announced but it was never released.
After receiving Rich's blessing in 2010, new promoter Andrew Tinsley brought back Krazy Fest for Memorial Day Weekend in 2011. Tinsley hoped to continue the festival in 2012, but was unable to due to scheduling conflicts.

Krazy Fest lineups by year

May 29–31, 1998: Krazy✻Fest!

Location: Brewery Thunderdome.
Notes: The festival was originally to take place at Stage Door Johnnies in Louisville, Kentucky, but it was moved to the Brewery Thunderdome. The split CD between Metroschifter and Shipping News was released at the event. Due to an electrical storm and a subsequent power outage on the evening of Sunday May 31, headlining bands Superchunk and Shipping News were not able to perform. Two bands did not perform on Saturday May 30 due to one breaking up and another breaking down in Pennsylvania; one of the bands that played on Friday May 29 was asked to play a second set on Saturday to compensate.

Friday May 29th

Location: The Belvedere.
Notes: Cave In did not perform due to a van fire earlier in its tour. Ink & Dagger was scheduled to perform, but did not show up.

Friday May 21st

Location: The Belvedere.
Notes: In addition to Initial Records, the festival was also sponsored by eMusic. The Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Dimitri Minakakis injured audience members by swinging his microphone chord during the band's set and hitting people in the face with the microphone. The festival was announced as By the Grace of God's final show, though the band would perform one more show at the BRYCC House a few weeks later.

Friday May 19th

Location: Louisville Water Tower.
Notes: The Dillinger Escape Plan played with special guest vocalist Sean Ingram.

Friday July 27th

Location: Louisville Waterfront Park.
Notes: Planes Mistaken for Stars and The Jazz June were booked for the festival but cancelled their appearances in May 2002. Planes Mistaken for Stars was replaced by Most Precious Blood. Drowningman was originally scheduled to perform on Friday June 21 but it was moved to Saturday June 22.

Friday June 21st

Location: Louisville Waterfront Park.
Notes: The Beautiful Mistake was booked to play on Friday August 1 but cancelled their appearances in July 2003; the band was replaced by Elliott.

Friday August 1st

Location: Expo Five.
Notes: The 2011 come-back event was the first to include more than one stage; the bands were split onto three stages.

Friday May 20th

Stage A
Stage A
Stage A