With music venues popping up like daisies and an array of local musicians playing weekly, Fresno may have finally found its niche in the Central Valley music scene, right alongside more established centers like Visalia and Modesto.
The Fresno Urban Sound Experience Festival is going on its sixth year this September. Called, “F.U.S.E. Fest,” the event is a locals-only music festival in Fresno.
“By locals only we mean, local bands playing original music across all genres: hardcore, punk, indie-rock, hip-hop, jazz, folk and so on,” event organizer Josh Tehee said. “For those unfamiliar with the local music scene, this is a good primer.”
The festival is a two-day event starting Friday Sept. 20 to Saturday Sept. 21. The bands will be playing in venues in and around the Mural District in downtown Fresno, including Fulton 55, Warnors Theatre and Peeve’s Public House & Local Market.
“The festival is a celebration of what these venues do every weekend, month in and month out,” Tehee said.
F.U.S.E Fest began when Fresno State Alumnus, Josh Tehee, said he noticed that Fresno needed its own music festival.
“At the time, Fresno didn’t have its own music festival,” Tehee said. “Modesto had one, Visalia had one, so we were filling a need.
“Now, there are at least three pretty similar, and significant, events in the area.”
Since F.U.S.E. Fest started, several prominent local artists have played, including violinist Patrick Contreras, indie-rock band Rademacher, who has toured with Silversun Pickups, and nationally known hip-hop artist Fashawn, who has collaborated with Wiz Khalifa and J. Cole.
Organizers expect to see a turnout of 600-700 people at the event. Tickets for the event cost $10 for Friday or $15 for both days and can be purchased online through the event’s website, www.fusefest.com. The website lists over 30 bands and artists playing the event, each scheduled to play for 30 minutes.
“[This festival is for] anyone that’s curious about Fresno’s music scene or is a geek about it,” event organizer Mike Seay said. “Really anyone that likes cool, unique things happening in Fresno, age doesn’t matter.
“This is why the lineup is always eclectic, so there is something for everyone.”
Seay said exposing Fresno’s music scene, talent and downtown amenities is a crucial part of F.U.S.E. Fest.
“We want people to leave realizing Fresno’s talent, both musically and downtown,” Seay said. “We want people to know that Fresno does cool things, that Fresno has a rich music scene that rivals any small city.
“We really want people leaving with a sense that they know what Fresno’s music scene is like now.”
Although he likes where the festival is now. Seay said they also have bigger plans for the future.
“We always would like it to be bigger and expose more people to Fresno’s music scene,” Seay said. “We have hopes in the future to have a F.U.S.E. Fest week where we have local music-related events happening all week, leading up to the main event of the music itself.”
Currently, Tehee said the event is a celebration of talent.
“For the bands, musicians, venues and promoters who are already in the scene, who are out there playing and putting on shows each week, this is a celebration of what they do,” Tehee said. “[The festival is] a way to showcase their contributions to the scene, and it’s awesome to have hundreds of musician types hanging out and talking shop and watching each other play.”
