HardLore Podcast Summary: Sound & Fury Fest 2025

Episode Release Date: August 7, 2025

Hosts: Colin Young & Bo Lueders

1. Introduction to Sound & Fury Fest 2025

Colin and Bo kick off the episode by reminiscing about the excitement surrounding their recent attendance at Sound & Fury Fest 2025. They express their enthusiasm for the event and introduce Martine Stewart, co-promoter of the festival, marking his fifth or sixth appearance on the show.

Colin [01:18]: "So Toast sent a spreadsheet to Taylor, and it was Brace War. Ped played I don't know, eight or nine times. And I think Ceremony was 10 because they played twice one year."

2. Festival Planning and Coordination

Martine delves into the behind-the-scenes efforts of organizing the festival. He highlights the collaborative dynamic between himself, Riley, and Madison, emphasizing their diverse strengths—from budgeting to booking bands—and the seamless delegation that ensures the event's success.

Martine [05:07]: "Anyone who knows Riley personally knows how he's like a supercomputer. He's one of the smartest people I've ever known."

3. Daily Highlights and Performances

Monday & Tuesday: Kickoff Events

• Monday: Hosted the greatest live show ever made, featuring programming wizardry and their own segment, Pink's Hot Dogs.

  Bo [09:22]: "No problem. For anybody curious, I used only OBS and Elgato Stream Deck and an iPad to basically automate and do everything."

• Tuesday: Continued the momentum with another event at Brain Dead, replaying the turnstile, leading to a sold-out experience.

Wednesday: Main Stage and Special Guests

• Featured Show: Live recording of Ceremony at the Hollywood Palladium, directed by Lance Bang. Martine praises the Q&A session post-performance.

  Martine [11:34]: "He brought us to school real quick."

• Additional Performances: Olivia and Rapid Skate Shop events showcased bands like Fatal Realm and Ceramic Hereditary.

Thursday: Record Releases and More Performances

• Cosmic Joke Force Perspective Record Release: Holy Blade performed standout tracks.

  Bo [09:22]: "Great job. For anybody curious..."

• Additional Shows: Teragram hosted Train Breaks Down, Balmora, and Grinding, highlighting the depth of the lineup.

Friday to Sunday: Peak Festival Days

• Friday: Hosted Glare Glickson and 16 Underground at Gold Diggers, followed by the Blood Rave after-party, emphasizing the inclusive and liberating atmosphere.

  Martine [17:39]: "So much fun. Mainly because I saw people there just who would never tap their foot in another club."

• Saturday & Sunday: Featured performances by bands like Contention, Dynamite, Missing Link, Whispers, Nuovo Nuovo Testamento, and others, each bringing unique energy and drawing massive crowds.

  Martine [22:20]: "Yeah, it's just beautiful. It was exactly what we hoped it would be."

4. Memorable Moments and Interactions

Throughout the festival, the hosts and Martine share anecdotes about standout moments, such as:

• Stage Diving and Crowd Interaction: Colin humorously discusses his inability to be caught during stage dives, attributing it to his "scary boots."

  Bo [00:27]: "Impossible."

• Band Highlights: Martine highlights performances by international bands like Whispers from Thailand, praising their integration into the U.S. hardcore scene.

  Martine [39:25]: "It's another case of finally being able to have international bands get recognition here in the United States."

• Special Sets: The duet performances by God's Hate and Knocked Loose, showcasing emotional depth and technical prowess.

  Martine [50:58]: "They just know who they are working with and how to do what songs to play, and it just really hit hard."

5. Challenges Faced

Despite the festival's success, Martine touches on logistical challenges, such as:

• Sound and Technical Issues: Instances where equipment malfunctioned, like Colin's SPD sample pad needing a last-minute replacement.

  Colin [120:00]: "So I just gotta shout out Roland for making that happen. Unbelievable."

• Crowd Management: Navigating the intense energy of the moshing crowds and ensuring everyone's safety without compromising the hardcore atmosphere.

  Martine [143:03]: "It's like, just use that energy towards something else. Yeah. Just get up there. But then do a sick dive or something."

6. Reflections and Future Plans

As the festival concludes, the hosts reflect on the year's achievements and discuss plans for future events:

• Host Hiatus: Colin announces a temporary hiatus for HardLore, ensuring fans that the essence of the show will continue internally.

  Colin [115:12]: "Hiatus means we're not breaking up. Yeah, it means we'll be back."

• Upcoming Tours: Discussion about Martine's upcoming European tour and the continuous support for international bands.

  Martine [140:37]: "I'm going for the third time coming up in November, so three rounds."

• Merchandise and Community Support: Emphasis on supporting band merchandise and fostering a strong community.

  Colin [69:03]: "They just make sure his music is a part of the festival."

7. Closing Thoughts

Colin and Bo wrap up the episode by expressing their gratitude to all participants and listeners, celebrating the collective effort that made Sound & Fury Fest 2025 a monumental success. They highlight the festival's role in elevating both established and emerging bands within the hardcore, punk, and metal scenes.

Colin [148:53]: "What a perfect, perfect week. Perfect weekend. Kind of unbelievable how without a hitch, everything went on, huh? Miraculous."

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration is Crucial: The seamless teamwork between promoters, bands, and hosts is vital for the festival's success.
• Supporting International Talent: Bringing international bands to the U.S. hardcore scene enriches the diversity and global appeal of the festival.
• Balancing Energy and Safety: Managing the intense energy of hardcore performances while ensuring attendee safety is a continuous challenge.
• Community and Legacy: Festivals like Sound & Fury play a pivotal role in sustaining and evolving the hardcore, punk, and metal communities.

For those who missed Sound & Fury Fest 2025, this episode provides an in-depth look into the festival's dynamics, memorable performances, and the passionate community that drives it forward. Tune in to hear more stories and insights from the heart of the hardcore scene.