By Julian Hadley
The Scene Staff
More than 30,000 music-lovers from all walks of life converged on Forest Park’s Central Field for LouFest this month.
The annual two-day music festival features local, regional and national acts.
“We’re a festival that has made a commitment to the local music scene,” said founder Brian Cohen. “We always include locals in the lineup. That’s a commitment not all festivals make.”
Saturday’s bands included Space Capone, Modoc, Kentucky Knife Fight, Wilco, Jim James, The National, Toro y Moi, Fitz and the Tantrums, Ra Ra Riot, Trampled by Turtles, Robert DeLong, J Roddy Walston and the Business, Jukebox the Ghost, Wild Belle and Desert Noises.
Wrapping up Sunday were Wild Cub, Tef Poe, Andrea Davidson, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Alabama Shakes, Icona Pop, Local Natives, Walk the Moon, Court Yard Hounds, Twin Shadow, Youngblood Hawke, The Mowgli’s, Brick + Mortar, The Lonely Biscuits and The Killers.
“We have been to the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, and LouFest this year was a lot like that on a smaller scale,” said festival-goer Tim Brooks, of St. Louis. “While the event was bigger this year, we felt there was ample room to relax and listen to music.”
Brooks attended the festival with his wife, Renee, and their son, Ryan, who uses a wheelchair. They were happy to find LouFest handicap-accessible.
Festival growth this year came in the form of booking improvements and a third stage. For the first time, all three stages hosted acts simultaneously.
“An event like this is much bigger than a single person,” Cohen said. “LouFest exists and we are where we are due to the hard work of a lot of people.”
Cohen is a native of Abilene, Texas. He moved to St. Louis in 2004 and missed proximity to music venues in his hometown.
Without any professional music background, he assembled a production team, tapped his savings and – with the help of family and friends – lined up investors to form Listen Live Entertainment.
The first LouFest was held in 2010.
“Forest Park is the heart of the city,” Cohen said. “There is a physical attribute but also the intangible. If (LouFest is) going to grow and become a destination festival for St. Louis, the first part of that is the location. All of these things are important to create the feel for the event.
“Take away Forest Park and there is no LouFest.”
Beyond bands, the festival included an on-site Euclid Records store, which sent fans home with music by their new favorites.
Cohen’s team created a sustainability model, which diverts 70 to 80 percent of waste from landfills. Food and beverage vendors are required to use only recyclable or compostable products, and people are encouraged to dispose of them in clearly marked receptacles.
“Every detail has been refined to make your visit an experience like no other,” Cohen said.
The festival also offers free refills at water stations, which Renee Brooks appreciated.
LouFest also taps into the St. Louis restaurant scene by inviting local vendors to “The Nosh Pit.” That included the Atomic Cowboy, Cleveland-Heath, Dressel’s, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Kaldi’s Coffee, Local Harvest Café, Magoos Pizza, Mission Taco Joint and Triumph Grill.
Tim Brooks found only one shortcoming in the food selection.
“While the local food vendors were great, I would have like to have seen more fresh fruit and vegetables available,” he said.
Also on hand was Chipotle’s “VIP for the People” booth, where people could get free tacos and drinks.
Schlafly sponsored Brewtopia, highlighting six classic and seasonal craft beers and offering a photo booth, games and an interactive-art demonstration.
“The experience is more than just the music,” Cohen said. “LouFest offers food, retail and room to get outside of the crowds, while also embracing a family-oriented vibe, which is important when you attend a two-day music festival.”