Blood, pits and punk: Scenes from Fest 21

GWAR performs their set in Bo Diddley Plaza on Oct. 27, 2023. at FEST 21 in downtown Gainesville, Fla.

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Roger Lima, bassist and vocalist for Less Than Jake, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville, Fla.

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Laura Jane Grace accepts the Key to the City from Mayor Harvey Ward Oct. 27, 2023 at City Hall in downtown Gainesville, Fla.

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Laura Jane Grace, lead singer of Against Me! holds the Key to the City of Gainesville. Grace received the key from Mayor Harvey Ward on Oct. 27, 2023.

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A sea of people gathers to watch GWARs set during FEST 21. GWAR performed at Bo Diddley Plaza on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville Fla.

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A crowd listens to Knives at Loosey’s during FEST on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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A line of FEST attendees waits outside Boxcar Beer & Wine to pick up tickets on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Bad Planning performs at Loosey’s during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Danny Attack, vocalist for the band Knives performs at Loosey’s during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Tyler Moscarello, guitarist for The Real You, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at How Bazar in Gainesville, Fla.

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Mold plays in Palomino Pool Hall during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Jade Rich, vocalist for the Fox Teeth, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at How Bazar in Gainesville, Fla.

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A line of FEST attendees waits outside Boxcar Beer & Wine to pick up tickets on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Jack Coombs, guitarist for Bad Planning, performs at Loosey’s during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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An audience looks on as Laura Jane Grace receives the key to the city on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Bad Planning performs at Loosey’s during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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Lee, 23, stands looking at a phone on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla. Lee and many others attended FEST a weekend-long punk music festival.

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GWAR performs their set in Bo Diddley Plaza on Oct. 27, 2023. at FEST 21 in downtown Gainesville, Fla.

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GWAR performs their set in Bo Diddley Plaza on Oct. 27, 2023. at FEST 21 in downtown Gainesville, Fla.

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At Bo Diddley Plaza a crowd headbangs as GWAR gushes blood over them during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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A sea of people gathers to watch GWARs set during FEST 21. GWAR performed at Bo Diddley Plaza on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville Fla.

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After a show soaked in fake blood, three people walk away from Bo Diddley Plaza after the GWAR set. GWAR performed on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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A FEST 21 attendee crowd surfs to the front of Bo Diddley Plaza during the GWAR set in downtown Gainesville, Fla. on Oct. 27, 2023.

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A FEST 21 attendee crowd surfs to the front of Bo Diddley Plaza during the GWAR set in downtown Gainesville, Fla. on Oct. 27, 2023.

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A FEST 21 attendee crowd surfs to the front of Bo Diddley Plaza during the GWAR set in downtown Gainesville, Fla. on Oct. 27, 2023.

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GWAR performs their set in Bo Diddley Plaza on Oct. 27, 2023. at FEST 21 in downtown Gainesville, Fla.

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A FEST attendee stands covered in fake blood during FEST 21 after GWARs set on Oct. 27, 2023, in downtown Gainesville, Fla.

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Kristian Hallbert, vocalist for Crime in Stereo, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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Kristian Hallbert, vocalist for Crime in Stereo, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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Kristian Hallbert, vocalist for Crime in Stereo, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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Nathan Hardy, lead vocals for the band Microwave, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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Nathan Hardy, lead vocals for the band Microwave, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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Nathan Hardy, lead vocals for the band Microwave, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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Travis Hill, guitarist for the band Microwave, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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A fan records Microwave during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, Fla.

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Peter “JR” Wasilewski, saxophone player for Less Than Jake, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville, Fla.

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Chris DeMakes, guitarist and vocalist for Less Than Jake, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville, Fla.

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Chris DeMakes, guitarist and vocalist for Less Than Jake, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville, Fla.

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Buddy Schaub, Matt Yonker and Chris DeMakes of Less Than Jake perform during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville, Fla.

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Roger Lima, bassist and vocalist for Less Than Jake, performs during FEST 21 on Oct. 27, 2023, at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville, Fla.

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Laura Jane Grace, lead singer of Against Me! stands next to Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward after receiving the Key to the City on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

Roger Lima, Bassist And Vocalist For Less Than Jake, Performs During FEST 21 On Oct. 27, 2023, At Bo Diddley Plaza In Gainesville, Fla.

Laura Jane Grace, lead singer of Against Me! hugs a fan during FEST weekend. Grace received the Key to the City from Mayor Harvey Ward on Oct. 27, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla.

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