Orlando's Pre-Pre Fest brings a slice of the Gainesville rager to Mills 50

Good Friend are one of many playing Pre-Pre Fest Credit: Lee Anderson

While hope feels fleeting, there is some solace in a good gig. It’s a practice Jordan Shroyer of Whatever Dude Productions and local punk band Virginity understands well. He and the folks at Montgomery Drive are organizing Orlando’s annual “Pre-Pre Fest” showcase, taking over Mills 50 with a stacked lineup of nearly 30 punk acts, including headliners Chris Farren, Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms, and Greg Norton + Büddies celebrating 40 years of Hüsker Dü.

“The event is organized for bands and buds who are traveling to Gainesville’s Fest and looking for an extra Florida show this week,” shared Shroyer. “Somehow it gets better every year.” Pre-Fest shows offer an additional gig and additional cash for bands making the trek.

This is true of Ireland’s Good Friend, also on the bill.

“We need punk more than ever. Punk is born out of frustration and sustained through solidarity,” says singer and bassist Adam Carroll. To his neighbors across the pond, Carroll offers advice to “stop mistaking noise for truth, your strength was never in shouting loudest, it was in showing up for each other when no one was watching … and put down the flag if it’s blinding you.”

5 p.m., Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave., willspub.org, $51.

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Orlando’s Pre-Pre Fest brings a slice of the Gainesville rager to Mills 50

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