BADBADNOTGOOD are good-good, not bad at FYF Fest

Just a bit before the sun began to set, BADBADNOTGOOD’s hip-hop fused electronica was a great escape from the sun into the air-conditioned confines of the Arena stage at FYF Fest.

At times, the Toronto trio served up a sensory overload of sounds and flashing lights, fired off like sirens from an ambulance. The more mellower the tunes, the more people seemed to enjoy them as there was an easier beat for people to follow. The visuals were pretty intense, sometimes looking like shining stars in the sky and other times shooting lasers all throughout the massive venue.

At one point, I saw a large mosh gather to the sound of one of BADBADNOTGOOD’s jazzier tunes. It was an odd juxtaposition but it was still welcome. “Confessions” was one of the highlights of the set with the more laid-back vibes.

The Arena was the perfect setting for their style of music and visuals. Some of the effect would have been lost on one of the outdoor stages, making me believe Goldenvoice puts a ton of effort into their booking and where the best fit is for each musical act. BADBADNOTGOOD was right on the money.

Words: Mark E. Ortega

Photography: Jazz Shademan