BigView
By Chris Murphy
Xclamation Fest Turns Sweet 16 this year!
ModestoView was there the day it started in 2000 on J St with Flying Blind, Post Garbo, Blessid Union of Souls in front of a gigantic cruise ship with 5 other stages and 20 other bands and a block long disco and we were there with a view from our skybox. Now, 16 years later, X fest is the Central Valley’s best summer party. Our friend Chris Ricci told us “I am most excited about the lineup this year. It’s strong and diverse. I am really proud to throw this show for the young adults in this city they deserve it.”
You can go for the amazing line up of national and local bands, the awesome mix of DJ and house music or you can get your body dancing with some big time hip-hop from Wacka Flacka Flame, Tech N9Ne, Tribal Seeds, party with the fantastic Dancetronauts, sing along with the amazing over the top Tubes headbang at the local metal stage, raise your glass with the Moonshine Bandits, celebrate local and tribute bands. . New this year will be SKA stage so you can really get down. One of our favorite stages will be the Rockabilly Stage on J St. This is Modesto’s music and this is our history and it is some of the best swingin and dancing music in the whole place. You will dig it This will be a cool space next to the Roller Derby and the Modesto Graffiti USA booth There will be so many places to just dance the night away, eating and drinking and partying with your friends. X Fest has something for everyone and it is a fun night in the Central Valley. The stages are loaded with great line ups from 6 pm until 1:30 am. Also performing are: Andre Nickatina, Baeza, Chingo Bling, Moonshine Bandits, Los Rakas, Sadistik, Fortunate Youth & Nick G.
Not only are there great bands, DJs, food and drink everywhere you look, there will even be Bushido wrestling fun and you can’t 20 feet without running into some you know and you will meet new friends all evening long.
When it all began XFest was designed to be a great party, with fabulous entertainment and cool commmunity feel for a great price. If you have been to a big concert lately, you have been paying $40 – $300 and more to see a show. The 2015 XFest is still $20 for a full evening of fun. Chris Ricci runs a great event with the local stage production teams making it happen. Modesto is so cool that we have all of these local bands and stage managers that all work together to create special events like X Fest, The Summoning, Luckyfest and more.
If you like to eat, there are more food vendors than a fair and you can get your taste of everything at your favorite downtown restaurants and bars, many offering their own VIP packages. There are fun booths, things to do, vendors with cool stuff and of course, lots of beads to make X fest the best party of the summer.
Why go this year? There is a great line up with a lot of variety and a new layout. X fest connects all the way from 10th St to 12th St including H, I and J Streets. There are stages everywhere. There are Express tickets with Express entrances to make getting in and out really easy. Get your general tix in advance for only $20 and express for $30. Tix will be available at the door. Doors open at 5 pm on Aug 22 and the event ends at 1:30 am www.xfestmodesto.com
Event creator and promoter Chris Ricci has worked with the City of Modesto to make sure that 15,000 of your best friends and all enjoy the music and party safely in Downtown Modesto. There are no gang colors, and security is tight so be cool and just come prepared for fun.
ModestoView X Fest Tips: Get there early! Take advantage of the short lines early and get in and hang out and your favorite bar or restaurant. This way you will be there early and het to see all the people show up. You will not regret it.
Key things to plan: Drink lots of water, park a few blocks away from X Fest and walk. Bring your camera, your party attitude, and make sure X fest is a fun and safe night. Make it easy and get there early when the lines are short and just find a good place to hang
Tag us! #modestoview Post your your fave X Fest pics after the show and we will repost them in ModestoView.com and use the best ones in our special X Fest Rear View Mirror. Most importantly, stay safe and have a blast at X Fest.
Cab or Carpool
Modesto has a good line up of Taxi services. Please consider car pooling, booking an Uber or Lyft car, taking a cab or getting a party bus in advance to drop you off and pick you up. See page 30 to see a complete list of taxi companies. Book in advance so you have a ride home waiting for you and no hassles.
XFest Schedule
Doors open at 5 pm on Aug 22 and the event ends at 1:30 am
Entrances are: K and 10th, K & 11th, 13th and I, H & 11th
