Fall’s first splash of seasonal sprinkles didn’t hinder the energy at LA Weekly’s third annual Detour Festival held in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Though the predicted rain produced a gloomy hue of blue-gray that matched the dull government structures, this was a day (and night) to remember.

With an eclectic line-up that included Gypsy Punk headliners, Gogol Bordello, post-electro from the Presets and Cut Copy, the down home beats of Peanut Butter Wolfe, and the dissonant noise of Black Lips, there was something for everyone.

Before making my way to one out of the four stages, I perused around the rows of white tents, noticing groups of friends, young and old, caring less about bundling up for the rain and more about representing a social or political thought on their t-shirts. From less subtle slogans to more controversial, it was instantaneously obvious that these crowdgoeers were not just here to be passive spectators. After all, ’tis the season to be voting. This seemed to be the overall theme that circulated each booth, as banners in bold black font screamed similar powerful slogans that ranged from domestic violence to recycling water bottles. (more…)