For almost two decades, Sound and Fury Festival has embodied the past, present, and future of most fast or heavy and especially fast AND heavy genres- particularly hardcore punk. Evolving from a grassroots DIY event into a world-renowned gathering of global talent, the festival has grown in scale and vision while staying true to its roots in chaos, catharsis, and community. No barriers- literally, to this day, almost nothing separates the bands and fans. Each year marks a new chapter—not just in the festival’s story but in the ongoing history of hardcore itself.
Here’s a look back at the defining Sound and Fury Festival moments as covered by Janky Smooth, year by year (2016 on) from small rooms to massive fields, from secret side shows to legendary sets- followed by a complete schedule for Sound and Fury Festival 2025
Featured Image: Have Heart by Albert Licano
Sound and Fury 2016: Coming of Age at The Regent
Summary: 2016 was a defining year. After years of venue instability, Sound and Fury found a new home at The Regent Theater in Downtown L.A., marking a turning point in both professionalism and presentation. The lineup straddled eras and styles, and the atmosphere felt like a rebirth.
Venue: The Regent Theater, Downtown Los Angeles
Band Highlights:
Turnstile delivered a breakthrough performance that was equal parts funk, fury, and future-facing hardcore.
Nails offered one of the most violent, no-frills sets in festival history.
Incendiary ignited the crowd with political fire and Long Island aggression.
Touché Amoré gave an emotionally raw performance, previewing songs that would later land on Stage Four.
Side Shows: While the main festival was housed in the ornate-yet-grimy Regent, the surrounding weekend saw pop-up shows in record stores and underground venues, keeping the DIY spirit alive even amid the polish.
Why It Mattered: Sound and Fury was no longer just a local fest—it was a national destination with global reach.
Sound And Fury 2016: Festival Comes of Age All Across L.A.
2017–2018: The Transitional Years
Summary: These years saw the fest experiment with space and identity. Though no single location defined the experience, the lineups remained potent and the side shows carried the spirit forward.
Venues: Rotating between small clubs and mid-size venues like Union, 1720, and catch-all warehouses in DTLA.
Band Highlights:
Jesus Piece made early waves with a now-legendary side show that left the walls sweating.
Twitching Tongues continued their emotional metalcore hybrid sets to packed rooms.
Vein began their climb with chaotic, sensory-overloading performances that blurred the line between music and malfunction.
Side Shows: DIY venues like Programme Skate Shop, The Smell, and Chain Reaction hosted the chaos. Fans hopped between shows like a scavenger hunt for brutality, and some side sets outshined the main festival.
Why It Mattered: These were the years Sound and Fury solidified its community—a tightly knit web of bands, labels, photographers, and fans, all collaborating to keep hardcore’s flame lit.
The Most Complete Sound and Fury 2017 Recap On Earth
L.A.’s Best Hardcore Fest Is Sound and Fury: And Here’s Why- 2018
2019: Hardcore Gets Its Swagger Back
Summary: By 2019, Sound and Fury had rebuilt its infrastructure, uniting killer lineups with cohesive branding and a renewed sense of identity. It wasn’t just another fest anymore—it was the fest.
Venue: Back to The Belasco in Downtown L.A., combining classic architecture with modern production.
Band Highlights:
Knocked Loose demolished the stage and redefined what modern metalcore could sound like.
Have Heart reunited for an emotionally charged set that became instant folklore.
Mindforce proved that crossover thrash still has blood in its veins.
Fury reminded everyone that melody and hardcore can coexist with grace.
Side Shows: A multi-band bash at 1720 Warehouse featured surprise sets, with rumors of guest vocalists and impromptu collaborations swirling throughout the weekend.
Why It Mattered: Hardcore had swagger again—and Sound and Fury was at the center of the storm.
Sound and Fury 2019- Boston Calling
2020–2021: The Pandemic Pause
Summary: Like the rest of the world, Sound and Fury went silent during the COVID-19 pandemic. But behind the scenes, the team plotted a major return.
Why It Mattered: This pause gave the organizers time to reflect and scale. It also allowed other fledgling promoters in Los Angeles to take it back to the underground- backyard parties and illegal gatherings. All of them thriving now. When Sound and Fury came back, it would come back bigger than ever.
2022: The Return and The Revival
Summary: Sound and Fury returned from the pandemic with an upgraded vision and a bold venue change. Now located at Exposition Park, the fest went outdoors, embracing its scale and inviting the sun-drenched chaos of a California summer.
Venue: Exposition Park, Los Angeles
Band Highlights:
Gulch played their final L.A. show—an emotional farewell that ripped open the crowd.
Scowl cemented their place as the new voice of inclusive hardcore.
Sunami brought NorCal stomp to SoCal, resulting in a pit that looked more like a riot.
Zulu, Militarie Gun, and Regional Justice Center showcased the next wave of politically charged, sonically diverse hardcore.
Side Shows: Back-to-back warehouse ragers featuring bands like Dead Heat and Initiate drew massive crowds. The energy matched, and sometimes exceeded, the festival itself.
Why It Mattered: The fest proved it could grow without selling out. Hardcore had survived COVID—and it was thriving.
Sound and Fury 2022- Risks Make Better Memories Than Nostalgia
2023: Hardcore Goes Global
Summary: 2023 was the most internationally diverse lineup yet. Hardcore had officially gone global, and Sound and Fury was the world stage.
Venue: Exposition Park (Main), with side shows across L.A. and Orange County
Band Highlights:
Speed (Australia) drew a massive crowd and reminded everyone that hardcore is worldwide.
Gel, Spy, and Kharma proved that regional scenes still push the genre forward.
High Vis (UK) brought post-punk into the pit with swagger and depth.
Drain took their party-thrash crossover to the next level with inflatable surfboards and unrelenting energy.
Side Shows: DIY tours orbiting the fest weekend included all-ages matinees at The Midnight Hour in San Fernando and wild late-nighters at 1720 and Catch One. A surprise guest appearance from members of Trapped Under Ice lit social media on fire.
Why It Mattered: This was the year Sound and Fury became the international epicenter for hardcore—not just a U.S. event, but a global summit.
Sound and Fury 2023- The Stage Dive Will Never Die
2024: Peak Energy, Pure Chaos
Summary: 2024 may go down as the most unhinged and perfectly executed Sound and Fury yet. With production levels peaking and pit culture thriving, the festival fully leaned into its mythos.
Venue: Exposition Park
Band Highlights:
Harm’s Way stunned the crowd with a physical and theatrical set.
Mindforce delivered a crossover clinic that left old heads and newcomers equally leveled.
Scowl continued their genre-defying rise, drawing huge crossover crowds.
MSPAINT, Big Laugh, and Soul Glo took hardcore into avant-garde and experimental zones, expanding what the fest could sound like.
Side Shows: DIY veterans and upstarts collided at Permanent Records Roadhouse, Catch One, and Non Plus Ultra. Several featured first-time West Coast appearances from international acts.
Why It Mattered: The scene had never felt more alive. From the pit to the photo pit, everyone brought their A-game.
related: Ceremony Get Their Flowers at Hollywood Palladium
2025 and Beyond: What’s Next for Sound and Fury?
Here are some notable side shows happening the week prior to the main festival on July 12th, 2025 at Exposition Park.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
- Rapid Skateboarding – 6:00 PM
Fatal Realm, Ceramik, Hereditary, Watch You Fall - Programme Skate Shop – 7:00 PM
Olth, Clay Birds, Alyvia, As Well - Brain Dead Studios – 8:30 PM
“Ceremony – Live at The Palladium” screening + Q&A w/ Lance Bangs, Anthony Anzaldo, Ross Farrar
Moderated by HARDLORE
Thursday, July 10, 2025
- The Moroccan Lounge – 7:00 PM
Cosmic Joke (record release), Bad Beat, Holy Blade, Odd Man Out, Firestarter - Teragram Ballroom – 7:00 PM
Knumears, Train Breaks Down, Balmora, Olth, Elm - Gold Diggers – 7:00 PM
Glare, Glixen, 16 Underground - The Chamber @ Belasco – 9:00 PM
Bloodrave, Shaun Lopez (†††), Nowhere2Run, Nuovo Testamento (DJ set), Diamondstein, Purest Form (DJ set)
Friday, July 11, 2025
- Programme – 6:00 PM
Combust, Dynamite, Odd Man Out, Seudo Youth, About Face - The Regent Theater – 7:00 PM
Terror, Missing Link, Soul Blind, Outta Pocket, Whispers, Smoked 909
Five Star Bar – ~10:00 PM
L.O.T.I.O.N., The Dark, Purest Form
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Festival
From its humble beginnings to its current status as hardcore’s flagship event, Sound and Fury has never been about just music. It’s about belonging. About being seen, heard, and sometimes body-slammed in the process. It’s the black eye you earned, the t-shirt you cherish, and the moment you knew you weren’t alone.
Whether you were there for the 2016 rebirth at the Regent or you’re planning your first pilgrimage in 2025, one thing is certain: Sound and Fury isn’t just a fest—it’s a rite of passage.
