HFStival’s Epic Comeback with The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, and Violent Femmes Leading the Charge

It’s hard to capture the pure, unfiltered energy that the HFStival brought to the East Coast music scene in the ‘90s and early 2000s. But if there’s one thing that defined this rock juggernaut, it was its defiance of the norms and its commitment to pushing alternative music to the forefront.

HFStival at National Park in 2004. Photo: David S. Holloway (Getty Images)

After being off the radar for over a decade, HFStival is making a triumphant return this Saturday, September 21st, 2024 at the National Park, and it feels like a sonic blast from the past, reigniting a legacy that shaped entire generations of music lovers. Brought back by the owners of the 9:30 Club—and their I.M.P promoters brand—, what started in the early '90s as a humble local music fest— the brainchild of Washington, D.C.'s WHFS radio station—has now etched itself into the annals of music history, leaving an indelible mark on the alternative and rock scenes.

The Rise and Fall of an Underground Empire

Launched by WHFS, a station that was more than just a place for music—it was a cultural hub—HFStival grew from humble beginnings into one of the East Coast’s biggest rock festivals. Starting off in 1990, it became the go-to summer gathering for fans of alternative, grunge, and later, even pop and hip-hop. By the late ‘90s, this wasn’t just any concert—it was the stage where legends performed, new genres were born, and counterculture thrived.

Garbage performing at the HFStival in 2005. Photo: Sara L. Voisin (The Washington Post)

WHFS played a major role in breaking bands that would go on to define alt-rock for years. It was the first in D.C. to spin tracks by R.E.M., The Cure, and Pixies, to name just a few. By the time HFStival took over RFK Stadium in the early 2000s, It was more than just a music festival, when music festivals were something very different from what they are today—it was a movement, drawing upwards of 90,000 fans to shows that pushed the limits of live performances. With headliners like Rage Against the Machine and Stone Temple Pilots in 2000, HFStival was the place to be for any rock fan hungry for rebellion, raw energy, and good ol’ moshing.

But after a peak in the early 2000s, the winds started to shift. The station switched formats, and with it, the festival faded out like a fading guitar riff. A few comeback attempts happened in 2010 and 2011, but they couldn’t quite recapture the spark. It felt like HFStival’s reign was over.

Images below: Festivalgoers at HFStival in Nationals Park in the 2000s. Photos: Juana Arias, The Washington Post.

A Comeback for the Ages

Now, in 2024, HFStival is back. And the lineup? It’s the kind of lineup that makes you wish you could go back to your teenage years, when the only thing that mattered was the music. The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Incubus, Bush, Violent Femmes, Jimmy Eat World… these are names that defined an era. It’s a perfect balance of nostalgia and current relevance—proof that HFStival still knows how to curate a killer show.

Leading HFStival’s triumphant return, The Postal Service will deliver their signature indie-electronic magic, offering a nostalgic trip to the early 2000s. Sharing the spotlight, Death Cab for Cutie—fronted by the same Ben Gibbard—brings their emo-alt rock sound that captured a generation with poignant lyrics and smooth indie vibes, making Gibbard’s dual appearance a highlight of the event.

Meanwhile, Incubus, known for their genre-blurring fusion of rock, funk, and metal, is sure to electrify the crowd with fan favorites like “Drive” and “Pardon Me.” Bush will add a touch of British flair to the post-grunge wave, with classics like “Glycerine” and “Machinehead” serving as timeless anthems of the ‘90s.

Images below: The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Violent Femmes, and Incubus are some of the “all the times” bands performing at HFStival in 2024.

No band embodies HFStival’s legacy quite like Violent Femmes, whose unforgettable performances—like 65,000 fans singing along to “Blister in the Sun”—remain legendary, and they’re poised to recapture that magic once again. Jimmy Eat World, the kings of early 2000s emo, will surely have everyone belting out their massive hit “The Middle,” while Girl Talk shakes things up with wild mash-up DJ sets blending hip-hop, rock, and pop, injecting a burst of electronic chaos into the festival’s rock-heavy lineup.

Tonic will bring soulful post-grunge vibes with hits like “If You Could Only See,” keeping that ‘90s rock sound alive, and Filter will deliver their industrial-alternative fusion with the intensity of songs like “Hey Man, Nice Shot.” Rounding out the lineup, Lit promises a dose of late-90s nostalgia, with their iconic anthem “My Own Worst Enemy” primed to be one of those tracks that everyone can’t help but scream along to, making HFStival’s comeback a true celebration of rock across decades.

As HFStival gears up for its highly anticipated return, it promises not only to revive the spirit of a legendary era but also to create new memories for fans old and new. With this comeback, we’re reminded of the lasting impact of live music and the connections it forges across generations.

Tickets to the HFStival can be found at here.

MTV News: HFStival '94