Photo: J. Boogie for BK Reader
Now in its 12th year of existence and its sixth year at Commodore Barry Park, Afropunk Fest is, in the words of its European cousins Daft Punk, going "harder, better, faster, stronger!"
Harder, as in, to get in-- the festival was far less porous than in years past-- no side entrances for VIPs or extras. Only one way in, which was through the front entrance; Better food trucks (So the queues to get food and drink went from mentally ill in years' past, to bonafide insane!); Faster, as in how quickly the word is now spreading about the festival. Participants from all over the country and world, it seemed, were represented this year; And Stronger levels of dust being kicked up and around at Commodore Barry Park, since the City oddly refuses to do any landscaping on the field.
Photo: J. Boogie for BK Reader
Still, there were two elements of the festival that have remained unchanged and most likely always will: the beauty of the people and the quality of the acts! This year's festival featured performances by some of the legends of punk and rock, a slew of established acts and a bevy of sizzling hot up-and-coming musicians, including George Clinton, Fishbone, CeeLo Green, Living Color, Laura Mvula, Ice Cube, Janelle Monae, Tyler the Creator, Kelela, Kelsey Lu, The Suffers, The VeeVees, Qaasim and the Juggernaut War Party, Flying Lotus and more!
Photo: J. Boogie for BK Reader
To read the full story on this year's festival, go here.
In the meantime, enjoy these pictures taken at the festival by our photographer Jeannine Tallmadge of J. Boogie Photography. This year's Afropunk festival was truly in "living color."
