Over the weekend of August 3rd, the
downtown Orlando streets were alive with black horn rimmed glasses,
video game t-shirts and cosplay costumes. That could mean only one
thing, Nerdapalooza was upon us again.
For those that don't know, Nerdapalooza, the brainchild of John "Hex" Carter, is a annual weekend long multigenre nerd music festival now in its 6th year. The music ranges from chiptunes, video game music, nerdcore hip-hop, comedy rock and, really, anything that makes the hearts and minds of its rabid fan base smile.
Nerdapalooza 2012 had made some adjustments from its previous years: a new venue (split between The Social and The Beacham in downtown Orlando), a new host hotel and a new charity to benefit from it (this year, the profits went to benefit the teaching of music in schools). And, being the second year I've been to Nerdapalooza, the changes were amazing.
Friday night was the Pre-Party free show at The Social. We had arrived and the line was wrapping around the corner, with the club at capacity. I've heard amazing tales, but was unable to get in. Instead we hit some surrounding bars, and were able to talk to and meet some of the amazing artists on the bill. Even though I was bummed not being able to see DJ Cutman or Frogsuit, being able to have a beer and talk with Schaffer the Darklord, well, that was equally amazing.
Saturday was our first taste of the venue, and they did it right. Ping ponging shows from one venue to the other, connected by a door inside, helped the flow and schedule of the show stay on track. So many amazing acts hit with day one, and no matter what you were into, be it nerdcore hip hop (a la Dual Core or Schaffer the Darklord), or big rock and roll sounds (like Sci-Fried or Math the band), everything was covered, and covered well. The entire show culminating in the 2 day headliners, The Protomen. And later that evening, a racy performance from Epic Win Burlesque from New York.
Even with the amount of partying done in the hotels and staying up all night, the crowd was just as energetic for day 2. With acts like Salt Lake City's DJ RoboRob mixing his dubstep stylings with a mix of amazing hip hop performers who played throughout the weekend, YouTube sensation brentalfloss, singing hysterically genius lyrics over the sounds of long cherished video game songs, and the frantic energy of Koo Koo Kangaroo. Afterwards was a 8-bit rave hosted by The Geek Easy in Orlando's own The Comic Shop.
The weekend had a few somber moments, as well. Since the previous Nerdapalooza, the community had lost 2 important members, Triforce Mike Pandel and Josh "MC Gigahertz" Montgomery. It was bittersweet to hear a crowd of 800+ chanting their names.
On top of a great concert, there is even a better party going on that weekend. Both years I've been, I've made amazing friendships and had the privledge of meeting some amazing performers. Be it hanging in the lobby of the hotel, randomly catching an elevator or hitting up a room party, you're bound to have that moment where you find yourself sharing a drink and a story with someone you own multiple CDs from, or one of the artists that after the weekend, has become a friend for life. Every year after the show, the Facebook friends list grows and the infamous stories of parties you were in the middle of circulate. This, honestly, is the thing that keeps me coming back to Nerdapalooza. Its great to have a chance to see some of the performers you never get to see play a stage as huge as The Beecham, but I couldn't imagine missing the friends from all over the US that I met because of Nerdapalooza, and know I can see there.
So, until next year, I await the announcement of the dates, the teases of what artists are going to play, I talk to my online friends, awaiting that once a year chance I can raise a glass and share some laughs with friends from all side of the US at Nerdapalooza.
For those that don't know, Nerdapalooza, the brainchild of John "Hex" Carter, is a annual weekend long multigenre nerd music festival now in its 6th year. The music ranges from chiptunes, video game music, nerdcore hip-hop, comedy rock and, really, anything that makes the hearts and minds of its rabid fan base smile.
Nerdapalooza 2012 had made some adjustments from its previous years: a new venue (split between The Social and The Beacham in downtown Orlando), a new host hotel and a new charity to benefit from it (this year, the profits went to benefit the teaching of music in schools). And, being the second year I've been to Nerdapalooza, the changes were amazing.
Friday night was the Pre-Party free show at The Social. We had arrived and the line was wrapping around the corner, with the club at capacity. I've heard amazing tales, but was unable to get in. Instead we hit some surrounding bars, and were able to talk to and meet some of the amazing artists on the bill. Even though I was bummed not being able to see DJ Cutman or Frogsuit, being able to have a beer and talk with Schaffer the Darklord, well, that was equally amazing.
Saturday was our first taste of the venue, and they did it right. Ping ponging shows from one venue to the other, connected by a door inside, helped the flow and schedule of the show stay on track. So many amazing acts hit with day one, and no matter what you were into, be it nerdcore hip hop (a la Dual Core or Schaffer the Darklord), or big rock and roll sounds (like Sci-Fried or Math the band), everything was covered, and covered well. The entire show culminating in the 2 day headliners, The Protomen. And later that evening, a racy performance from Epic Win Burlesque from New York.
Even with the amount of partying done in the hotels and staying up all night, the crowd was just as energetic for day 2. With acts like Salt Lake City's DJ RoboRob mixing his dubstep stylings with a mix of amazing hip hop performers who played throughout the weekend, YouTube sensation brentalfloss, singing hysterically genius lyrics over the sounds of long cherished video game songs, and the frantic energy of Koo Koo Kangaroo. Afterwards was a 8-bit rave hosted by The Geek Easy in Orlando's own The Comic Shop.
The weekend had a few somber moments, as well. Since the previous Nerdapalooza, the community had lost 2 important members, Triforce Mike Pandel and Josh "MC Gigahertz" Montgomery. It was bittersweet to hear a crowd of 800+ chanting their names.
On top of a great concert, there is even a better party going on that weekend. Both years I've been, I've made amazing friendships and had the privledge of meeting some amazing performers. Be it hanging in the lobby of the hotel, randomly catching an elevator or hitting up a room party, you're bound to have that moment where you find yourself sharing a drink and a story with someone you own multiple CDs from, or one of the artists that after the weekend, has become a friend for life. Every year after the show, the Facebook friends list grows and the infamous stories of parties you were in the middle of circulate. This, honestly, is the thing that keeps me coming back to Nerdapalooza. Its great to have a chance to see some of the performers you never get to see play a stage as huge as The Beecham, but I couldn't imagine missing the friends from all over the US that I met because of Nerdapalooza, and know I can see there.
So, until next year, I await the announcement of the dates, the teases of what artists are going to play, I talk to my online friends, awaiting that once a year chance I can raise a glass and share some laughs with friends from all side of the US at Nerdapalooza.
Drew Love
for MovementMagazine.com
