For one day, Mission becomes indie rock capital of world
The gates at Las Palmas Race Park weren't open at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning, but the traffic on narrow Taylor Road was backed up a few blocks.. Fans didn't care that the Never Say Never Festival officially began at noon, they were ready to rock.
Dressed in band T-shirts and short shorts, people from the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, armed with cameras and sunglasses descended upon the all-day fest that was sandwiched between South by Southwest and spring break.
Never Say Never, a music festival that featured 30 bands from all over the world, drew thousands of people to Mission to see groups like The Friday Night Boys, Never Shout Never, Drop Dead, Gorgeous and The Scene Aesthetic, back to back. Dontgetemo concert promoters Zar Castillo and Geo Culberson took a risk and set up their first festival with no outside sponsorship.
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- HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FESTIVAL
- ANBERLIN
- THE FRIDAY NIGHT BOYS
- NEVERSHOUTNEVER
- THE SCENE AESTHETIC
- THE CAPITOL SOUND
- DROP DEAD GORGEOUS
- FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS
- THE REQUESTED
- THE SUMMER SET
- THE CROWD
Bands, national and local, set up tables under the bleachers at the race park with merchandise and EPs. Giant posters adored with glitter and brightly colored block letters held by volunteers promoted bands, letting fans know when and where they could see the band they love.
- READ MORE ABOUT THE BANDS THAT PLAYED
Between the warm weather and moshing, people were quickly soaked in sweat, mouthing the words of the songs they knew from one band on one stage, then running over to the next stage to sing along with another.
Shwayze was back for another round in the Valley. He played McAllen so often in the past year, no one could fault him for giving the shout out to McAllen instead of Mission. After a few new songs, Shwayze pulled out ‘ole reliable and close their set with "Corona and Lime"
The Maine pulled a big crowd with their energetic performance, but it was nevershoutnever was the big draw for many. While nevershoutnever wasn't the headliner, the 18-year-old with a ukulele brought some girls to tears.
Diamond Alaniz came for bands who played the second stage like I Set My Friends on Fire.
"I came for them and nevershoutnever, but ended up liking a lot more," said the 17-year-old Harlingen resident. While checking out two of her favorites, she discovered local band The Requested and Fear Before.
As the night dragged on, (some bands seemed to take forever to set up) merchandise tables were quickly being torn down and fans started leaving. As some made their way to the parking lot, though, they stopped in their tracks as Forever the Sickest Kids took the stage.
Fans sang along to each word of the band's songs, jumping and yelling and cheering, expecially when the band broke into a chorus of "Deep in the Heart of Texas".
Finally, Anberlin went through sound check and finished off the festival with their set.
Mario Treviño, 18, attended the fest early and stayed the entire 12 hours to see Anberlin. He wasn't disappointed.
"I think this festival is awesome," the Harlingen resident said. "They need to do it every year."
Trevino may have his way. Promoter Castillo seemed confident when he said next year's NSN is a go.
