Sound and Fury 2023 showcases the exhilaration and excellence of hardcore

Posted by Ramon Gonzales in Culture on August 3, 2023

See the gallery of images from the two-day celebration that took over Los Angeles’ Exposition Park.

The summer tradition that is Sound and Fury consumed the greater Los Angeles area for the final week of July. With events ranging from a live podcast session with the guys in Hardlore, to the label showcase in Flatspot World Los Angeles at 1720, to a potent pair of club shows leading into the festival weekend – organizers ensured the hardcore culture was on parade.

The preceding festivities only served to build the anticipation for the two-day main event at Exposition Park. Covering two stages, Sound and Fury assembled a staggering showcase of the culture’s best, sourcing established veterans and emerging prospects one on dynamic bill.

Among the takeaways from the 2023 edition included the fest’s strong international scope, which underscored the kind of global reach of hardcore culture.

Australian collective Speed made their US debut at Sound and Fury last year. This year, they took the direct support slot opening for Trapped Under Ice – speaking to the kind of impact the band has made in just a short window of time. The UK’s High Vis also delivered one of the most convincing sets of the festival, showcasing selections from their widely-acclaimed 2022 album, Blending. Japan was also represented as Kreutly obliterated the festival floor with their pummeling brand of extremity, performing cuts off of their latest, Utopia.

The festival also served the OGs well – giving flowers to the bands that have ultimately helped to festival to what it is in the modern era. Such was the case during the brilliant return of Twitching Tongues – a set that resonated like a victory lap for hardcore lifers. Trapped Under Ice pulled out all the stops, as Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates returned to his post as TUI’s drummer. The relentless headlining set was fluid, the kind of display that speaks to the natural synergy of TUI, given how rarely they play.

Ceremony crashed the party and delivered a highlight on the weekend. Taking full advantage of the spectacle of an unannounced set, the band unleashed their 2006-era volatility, performing their debut LP Violence Violence in full to the elation of the Sound and Fury faithful. Minority Unit, comprise of members of Rotting Out, Soul Search, and Alpha & Omega also made history, performing their first live set in well over a decade.

There were also wild cards on the bill that spoke to the diversity of the culture. Ohio’s death metal bulldozer Sanguisugabogg played a daytime set that cooked both on and off the stage. California crossover prospects Dead Heat sent the festival floor into a tailspin with their classic brand of shred, while noise pop art punks Model/Actriz unloaded arguably one of the most energized sets of the weekend.

By many accounts, Sound and Fury 2022 was the biggest hardcore festival in North America. 2023 had the tall task of at least meeting that same benchmark only to exceed it.

Sound and Fury compiled new artists leading the evolution of the sound.

Sound and Fury celebrated veteran bands that understand the importance of tradition.

Sound and Fury galvanized an international community that nurtures the greater culture of hardcore.

Hard to not be excited for 2024.

See the gallery of images from photographer Erica Lauren below.