When you are amongst a crowd of roaring fans, packed in tight like sweaty sardines watching and singing along to your favorite band, the music is not the only aesthetic that captivates you. It is the tight tattered jeans, the gaudy turquoise jewelry, the excessive rugged leather, or even the simple untucked Replacements tee that we can’t help but admire—especially when loosely hanging off some dude shredding a keytar.
Like it or not, fashion is a part of music. That is why Columbus came up with a unique festival to commemorate the fusion of the two seemingly different types of art. Fashion Meets Music Festival (FMMF) is in its second year, and although it is still in its infancy, it has been gaining a hefty amount of traction from the national press and fans around the country.
“Music inspires fashion, and fashion inspires music,” said Melissa Dickson, communications director and board member. “We as consumers are always looking for what is the next trendiest thing, and a lot of times we are looking at what the stars are wearing. I think a lot of times I think it is as simple as that. What we are trying to do is to take those two passions people have and put them together in a unique variety of experiences for people to enjoy over Labor Day weekend in a festival setting.”
There are over 30 bands signed on to play over the weekend, spread out on two stages. Some of the headliners include Ludacris, Taking Back Sunday, St. Vincent, Milo Greene, and Columbus’s own Nick D. and the Believers.
“We’re excited to get to play at a fest right in the middle of our hometown with some of our favorite national bands,” said Nick D’Andrea of Nick D. and the Believers. “It’s a huge honor for us to get to share a bill with acts like O.A.R, St. Vincent, and Young the Giant, and be a part of a fest that’s helping put Columbus on the map as a music city. Also, we heard there’s free hotdogs back stage so… that’s cool too.”
In addition to the jams, 25 designers will be exhibiting their work. Some designers have even made outfits special for the occasion.
“We have a local designer, Celeste Malvar-Stewart, who put together a whole collection based on music…that Benji Robinson, a local musican, wrote,” said Dickson. “He wrote [this music] based on different parts of Columbus—some in German Village, some in the Short North, and some on the West Side of Columbus. The music [notes are physically] displayed on her gowns that she designed herself, which will be displayed in an all girl runway show at the end of the festival.”
The most exciting thing about FMMF is that it is brand new. The city is building something from the ground up. It’s not everyday that this opportunity to construct a music city comes along, not only for those behind the scenes, but for everyone who comes out and enjoys the festival.
“We have people coming from 31 states and four countries,” said Dickson. “People are really looking forward to this. They are really looking to make Columbus, Ohio a destination weekend, and obviously that was our plan the whole time. Its amazing to be able to provide a festival like this for the community of Columbus, but then also having it be highlighted and to give Columbus that national recognition as this festival gains traction each day.”
And in case you are wondering, it is not too late to get involved as a volunteer. Not only will you receive a boxed lunch, but also your ticket will be paid in full. Already, they have 500 volunteers, but still are in need of stagehands, recycling sorters, beer pourers, and volunteers for ticket sales. If interested, visit fmmf.us/get-involved.
See you there, Columbus.
When: September 5-6
Where: Arena District
Two-Day Admission: $99.99
Single Day Admission: $59.99
