Black & Brown Fest has been putting in the blood, sweat, and tears to push and uplift POC in the rock community, and this fest was a testament to their hard work!
Created, curated, and run by Jazzmin Readeaux, she brings black and brown alternatives together for a one-day annual affair of hardcore, emo, punk, and alternative hip-hop. She’s a one-person MF army straight up KILLING IT with the help of the wonderful people at the venue Bohemeo’s.
Every band/artist they booked brought the heat to the stage, and to top it off they had a dope ass variety of vendors selling their goods. Here are some takeaways from all the acts!
THREETHIRTYTWO
Kickin off a show or fest is never easy, but for this abstract underground hip-hop collective it came trouble-free. With emcees trading verses back and forth over dope Lofi production, they didn’t miss. Odd Future and Griselda would be proud.
THE VIRULENT
They came ready to take souls(and succeeded)! This metal band got the pit started immediately! Nothing but good vibes and loud riffs their entire set.
DREAM SEQUENCE
Get ready to dance and mosh with this groovy post-hardcore band. Drums were going crazy, bassline poppin’, guitars flaring, with the incredible Zach on vocals. He’s got the voice of the purest angel- it lifts your spirits and takes you higher. Legends Kurt Travis and Anthony Green would surely be proud!
TOWN DESTROYER
With a name like Town Destroyer, you already know what time it is. A metalcore body with a melodic hardcore soul, TD tears it down musically and lyrically. Frontman Angelo gives his all on vocals with supreme songwriting. Definitely a band you need to catch live(
BEING HVMAN
After stating that they had a rough morning getting to Houston for the fest, Being Hvman let it all out on stage. Nothing but wild moves and jolting from frontman Mateo, reverbed screams mixed with experimental hardcore punk. Ending the set with pushups where some fans joined in, perfect.
ARABELLA
A highlight of the evening was owner and curator of Black n Brown fest Jazzmin’s band Arabella. The shortest set of the night with chaotic screams over blasting drums. You have to show love to this wicked grindcore band for bridging and gathering so many beautiful POC at the show. Arabella is also a dope ass band you NEED to see live. Nonstop mosh pits and spin kicks await you.
SLOTH
Reppin’ San Antonio, with a mathy, emo, and progressive groove. Even while combining multiple genres Sloth is so cohesive and is as smooth as mf butter. Sloth brings a nostalgic vibe from 2008-2010 era, but with a new spin. They could easily tour with Hail the Sun or Royal Coda. 100% gonna be a breakout band!
FATBOI SHARIF
Straight from Dirty Jerz, spitting nothing but the filthiest and most abstract bars over underground beats is Fatboi Sharif. We loved that Black n Brown Fest incorporated alternative hip-hop to the line up, amongst all the bands. Once Sharif got comfortable, the shirt came off, intricate raps fired off, and the crowd went bananas. If you’re a fan of Ghostface, Canibal Ox, and MF Doom, this west coast emcee is right up your alley.
PACMANTHEMOVIE
This band is nothing to play with, hardcore, mathcore, progressive metal shooting throughout the whole crowd from Pacmanthemovie. Moshers, 2-Steppers, and spin kickers were on the dance floor gettin’ busy. They provided terrorizing screams with ridiculous musicianship to the table.
B L A C K I E
Another one man army, Blackie is brings us alternative experimental noise rap. While his sound fits this genre, its way more than that. The energy was through the roof, and distortion and bass rattled at your bones. For fans of Death Grips, JPEGMAFIA, and Clipping. You can only find his music on bandcamp.