idobi Howl was lucky enough to be a part of Philadelphia’s This Is Hardcore Festival this year. The fest is a true celebration of hardcore of all generations, resembling a family tree and every possible branch, limb, and twig that has spurred from the crown. In no other place will you find such a conglomerate of bands, as well as fans, come together for the same purpose. Festival goers from across the country, even around the world, assembled for a four-day celebration honoring the DIY aesthetic, and immersed themselves full force for a weekend of punishing performances.
The festival offered up four unique daily lineups with once-in-a-lifetime headlining sets, including Madball playing Set It Off in full, as well as a Killswitch Engage set with only Jesse Leach-fronted material. Living legends from the likes of Converge played alongside younger groups (but no strangers to the fest) such as Code Orange and Full of Hell. There wasn’t an unhappy customer all weekend: This Is Hardcore truly honors those who wave the flag of hardcore and preserves a genre that will never die.
Check out our photos, courtesy of Alex Rudisill, below!
