Hanging by a Moment with Beardfest 6/26-28
Words: Matt Testa / Photos: Alex Buschiazzo
Lauryn Hill joining Out of the Beardspace & Zion Marley Friday 6/27/25
As soon as blind faith tickets went on sale, they were purchased along with my car camping pass. Months of anticipation followed, as they had for the past eleven years. As the time drew closer, so did the loose plans. When all the pieces seemed set, my work life revealed its annoying head on Thursday. You know what they say about best-laid plans…they are just that. When I arrived on Friday, I quickly understood that I had no idea where my friends were. A quick catch of my breath helped me realize I knew exactly where my friends were…all around me. That’s Beardfest for ya. Regrets about missing Thursday aside, I did get a quote from a source close to the festival (a friend) regarding Tauk and Kanika More. She mused, “Her and Tauk were like a Prying Mantis…They Fucked Us..and then they Ate Us.” I found that hilarious and oddly comforting. I’ll unpack that on my own time.
As has been true with every Beardfest lineup, it was simply too stacked to write about every act; to do so would be the ultimate “TLDR”. I’ll hit on the highlights, but what struck me most this year was that I felt a sense of renewal, as if things that were lost were becoming found again. In speaking with other attendees, as well as enjoying the post-fest reflections, that seemed to be a common theme this year. It’s no surprise to any of us that Beardfest is the perfect incubator for self-acceptance, reflection, and growth; however, that energy was much more penetrating and prevailing than in years past. Perhaps the overall state of the world had something to do with that? I couldn’t possibly comment further.
As has been true with every Beardfest lineup, it was simply too stacked to write about every act; to do so would be the ultimate “TLDR”. I’ll hit on the highlights, but what struck me most this year was that I felt a sense of renewal, as if things that were lost were becoming found again. In speaking with other attendees, as well as enjoying the post-fest reflections, that seemed to be a common theme this year. It’s no surprise to any of us that Beardfest is the perfect incubator for self-acceptance, reflection, and growth; however, that energy was much more penetrating and prevailing than in years past. Perhaps the overall state of the world had something to do with that? I couldn’t possibly comment further.
Day 1 Photos
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Koser was the first set I took in; let’s just say they understood the assignment. They put on a masterclass of showpersonship and rounded out with the optimum nostalgic cover, Hanging by a Moment: Lifehouse. It was the cover no one asked for, but everyone needed. Next up on my docket, Crickets and Cicadas made off like bandits as they stole the collective face of Beardfest. What I find so great about them is that they don’t even try to sound like the Grateful Dead, why try to fit into an un-fittable box when you take the music further in your own way?
After a healthy break to charge up, it was time for Out of the Beardspace, and oh, what a time it was. Their proper set was as energetic as a split atom and contained a few songs I had not heard in a while. It was especially wonderful to see Kevin Savo back on-stage playing bass; his talent and stage presence are a thing only he can do. The Zion Marley set was a lovely change of pace, executed flawlessly with all the zeal one would expect. The moment when all of Beardfest sang 'Three Little Birds' in unison is something I will remember for as long as I can remember anything.
And then it happened. What we all knew was coming came, and despite the foreseeable anticipation, it was something one had to see to truly believe. Ms. Lauryn Hill graced us with her presence and talents by joining her son and Out of the Beardspace on stage. Now, I could write this whole story about that moment… but if you were there, you were there. That time in your life should remain uniquely yours; no words of mine could ever do it justice.
Saturday began with a respectful showing at the second annual Beardfest Disc Golf tournament. The spirit of camaraderie and fun flew and spun around with our discs. No one was trying to beat the others, although I must give props to the guy who was twelve under par! The day progressed as the sun beat down, and the Beardfest population migrated to the beach as it always does. As friends splashed and floated, kids played, and friendly dogs ran amok, I thought to myself, ‘another perfect Saturday Beardfest afternoon'.
As the temperature began to drop, Knorwood blessed us with their Led Zepplin inspired trip through the Shire and beyond. The blend of narration, theatrics, and precision performance was any nerd's dream. To say we were transported would be an understatement. After a healthy rest, the next set that graced my ears was Natalie Brooke, and it was a personal highlight of mine. The virtuosity of her and the band, along with her electric stage presence, was evident to the ears and eyes as she continues to become more than a few people’s favorite acts to see on a lineup, and to listen to in general.
After a healthy break to charge up, it was time for Out of the Beardspace, and oh, what a time it was. Their proper set was as energetic as a split atom and contained a few songs I had not heard in a while. It was especially wonderful to see Kevin Savo back on-stage playing bass; his talent and stage presence are a thing only he can do. The Zion Marley set was a lovely change of pace, executed flawlessly with all the zeal one would expect. The moment when all of Beardfest sang 'Three Little Birds' in unison is something I will remember for as long as I can remember anything.
And then it happened. What we all knew was coming came, and despite the foreseeable anticipation, it was something one had to see to truly believe. Ms. Lauryn Hill graced us with her presence and talents by joining her son and Out of the Beardspace on stage. Now, I could write this whole story about that moment… but if you were there, you were there. That time in your life should remain uniquely yours; no words of mine could ever do it justice.
Saturday began with a respectful showing at the second annual Beardfest Disc Golf tournament. The spirit of camaraderie and fun flew and spun around with our discs. No one was trying to beat the others, although I must give props to the guy who was twelve under par! The day progressed as the sun beat down, and the Beardfest population migrated to the beach as it always does. As friends splashed and floated, kids played, and friendly dogs ran amok, I thought to myself, ‘another perfect Saturday Beardfest afternoon'.
As the temperature began to drop, Knorwood blessed us with their Led Zepplin inspired trip through the Shire and beyond. The blend of narration, theatrics, and precision performance was any nerd's dream. To say we were transported would be an understatement. After a healthy rest, the next set that graced my ears was Natalie Brooke, and it was a personal highlight of mine. The virtuosity of her and the band, along with her electric stage presence, was evident to the ears and eyes as she continues to become more than a few people’s favorite acts to see on a lineup, and to listen to in general.
Day 2 Photos
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From there, Out of the Beardspace ripped off what has often been my favorite set of the weekend, when they venture off into the forest and provide energy and light to the trees, akin to photosynthesis. Individual members of the band have expressed to me that this is also their favorite set; it’s the one they truly get to rip the chord, let loose, and let gravity take over.
SNACKTIME was something I was altogether unprepared for, as I had no previous frame of reference, despite the many highly spoken-of reviews I had gathered throughout the weekend. The crowd found themselves absolutely floored. The soulful, sexy, masterful musicianship equaled the energy emitting from the stage to the audience, and back again. Everyone I saw and encountered had a look of pure satisfaction as the music of Beardfest 2025 landed firmly in its coda.
I can only go by what I’ve been told about the bonus day on Sunday, from all accounts, the same spirit of the weekend thrived through in a new, but familiar capacity. The general consensus is that this should become a new staple of the Beardfest experience.
As I came back to reality, a truth so simple hit me…Beardfest is a place to hang by a moment and fall more in love. How that looks will vary from person to person, experience to experience. It’s a place to fall more in love with your significant other, your passions, your favorite bands, your hobbies, the cool new thing you learned, or any combination of those…but most importantly, it is a place to fall more in love with yourself.
Day 3 Photos
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