Siren Fest 2010: Coney Island, Baby!

Screaming Females

Story and photos by Jim Testa

The Village Voice's annual Siren Festival - two stages worth, for a full day of indie rock just off the boardwalk at Coney Island - went off without a hitch on Saturday, July 17, despite record-high temperatures and blazing sun. But a cool breeze off the ocean helped everyone keep their cool, and the great music - delivered crisply, promptly, and with excellent sound on both stages - didn't hurt. Special thanks to Cymbals Eat Guitars for hooking me up with a VIP pass so I could enjoy a little shade (and a few complimentary beverages) backstage instead of huddling against the barricades with the unwashed masses. Here are a few photos that will hopefully capture the spirit of the day:

That's the Wonder Wheel in the background

Screaming Females

The unwashed masses with the Cyclone, the world's most rickety rollercoaster, in the background

Surfer Blood - they left Coney Island and hopped on a plane to play Pitchfork Fest the next day

Marissa from Screaming Females with unidentified male admirer

Another Cymbals Eat Guitars photo, because they got me the VIP wristband

Jaded celebrity posers signing autographs


Matt Whipple, sexiest legs in show business

Zak and Jen, two of the many, many "VIP's" I knew backstage