Music producer Christian Perez had planned to host Fall Fest in January before rain forced the event to shut down. Months later, on the sunny evening of May 22, he was feeling optimistic.
“This looks like better weather. I don’t think it will rain today,” Perez said as vendors and performers set up.
Perez’s events, organized through his company Pure Risk, spotlight underground artists across music, fashion, art and movement. On Friday evening, bands, skateboarders and local vendors filled the MSA Annex for his annual Spring Fest.
Ubba McNamara, lead singer of the hyper-punk fusion band NADA — short for “Never Actually Done Anything” — said the festival had grown since the band last played at the Annex last year.
“Last year was a bit small and we kind of maxed out the spacing,” McNamara said, pointing toward the stage area.
McNamara said he looked forward to the energy skateboarders would bring to the crowd. “We’re going to play what we play, but we always leave a little room for crowd interaction,” McNamara said. “Kind of attack the crowd a little bit and get attacked back.”
NADA headlined the festival, and McNamara said footage from Spring Fest could appear in the band’s upcoming music video being filmed near Vail.
Angel McVey, drummer for the punk band Goggles, returned to the festival this year — combining his love of music and skating.
“What a way to have two passions,” McVey said before stepping onto his skateboard. “I’m shredding, skateboarding and drumming. Super fun.”
University of Arizona art student Eden Squires added another layer to the event with interactive skateable sculptures made from wood and unused street signs.
Xavier Langston, one of the skaters Squires invited to test the obstacles, said the structures “add texture to these things meant to be destroyed.”
Despite making last-minute adjustments at the venue, Squires said the installations were a success. “The skaters really enjoyed the obstacles and the music, turning the installation into a live, evolving collaboration between music, movement and public art,” Squires said.
Langston, who moved to Tucson from St. Louis last October, said the event reminded him of a Missouri festival called Paint Louis that blended skateboarding, music and art.
“My homie Eden put these skateable art objects together that we are just enjoying right now,” Langston said. “It’s cool to see something like this in Tucson. It’s a smaller scene for sure, so it’s cool to see people doing stuff like this to keep the scene breathing.”
Perez said eight bands performed from 4:44 p.m. to 10 p.m. with over 200 attendees.
“We were able to pay our musicians, artists and volunteers and The Annex and have a little extra money,” Perez said.
After another successful festival, Perez said he is excited to keep expanding Pure Risk’s events in Tucson.
