Sareth-Fest Pueblo 10 Recap

Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival Pueblo 10 goes underground at CR23 Bombshelter

Published by Sareth Ney on Aug. 6, 2023 at 2:58 p.m.
Updated on Aug. 2, 2023 at 3:48 p.m.

PUEBLO, Colo. - Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival Pueblo turned 10 years old. It took place from July 18 through July 21 at the CR23 Bombshelter. Prior to Party & Bowling at Bowlero Lanes, Sareth Ney met up with Cody Rheuff to go over technical aspects of the festival. They opened a box which arrived from Liquid Death. Inside were koozies and tin signs provided by Erin Bates of Liquid Death. Rheuff clipped the Liquid Death tin signs to opposite sides of the stage and Ney distributed koozies on each night of the festival. The event was the first for stand-up comedy, podcasting and storytelling at the venue.

Party & Bowling took place at Bowlero Lanes, on July 18. Sareth Ney’s friends, Sean Beeman and Travis Hickman, he knew since middle school played a league style game. The three took turns from two of the lanes. Diego Rodriguez (Velocriffer, Beneath The Floor Boards) and his lady bowled next to them. They celebrated Hunter S. Thompson’s birthday.

Photo credit: Sean Beeman

On July 19, Xenon kicked off Sareth-Fest with R&B and Neo Soul. Lady Jane accompanied him on a couple of songs. At times, Xenon strummed his guitar and sang. DJ Grinch followed and his family helped set up his disc jockey booth. His booth displayed a showing of lights and his name lit up in Christmas lights on the center panel. Ney interviewed Rheuff for Pueblo’s Independent Multimedia Podcast, as well as Aaron “Da Joker” Pacheco. Saustro followed and twerked with his feet on the Sareth-Fest banner, after he had a wardrobe change. He performed in the crowd, as well. Scott “Scoot” Limardo headlined the first night of music.

DJ Grinch · Sareth Fest 2023 (FINAL CUT)

The evening ended with Phở-Ney Farm Film Firestorm, High & Dry Comedy Show and The Dark Hour. Unable to get the television to screen “The Misadventures of Wu-Man Chu” for Phở-Ney Farm Film Firestorm, Beeman held his cellular phone in front of the crowd. It was viewed from Ney’s YouTube channel. Charley McMullen and Matt Medina did their best to roast the film. The Dark Hour featured stand-up comedy by Charley McMullen, Luke Stamm and a guest set by Medina. The evening was hosted by Ney, Wu-Man Chu and McMullen.

MRock of Despicable Dialects started the performances with Hip-Hop, on July 20. The Assault Shakers were up next and Sareth-Fest raised $100 for flood relief efforts for Douglas Cook. After Velociriffer’s performance, the crowd yelled for one more song and they roared with cheers after they were granted with one more tune. Beneath The Floor Boards followed. Prior to Diskount Vodka’s set, Matt Hamilton and Ellie Blackbird were married and they celebrated by performing at the festival. DJ Roy Rumble had an extended set. Ney told a five minute story and performed 15 minutes of stand-up comedy to end the night. Beeman helped with filming and lighting duties.

Traemon McCabe of It’s A Trade Thing had a solo set, on July 21. His other half, Amberdawn McCabe, looked on from front and center. Pivotal Backfire had his debut live performance, next. During Scrotus’ turn, mosh pits happened. As spectators fell, they were picked up and fans continued on. Hell’s Circus and Darkened Sun drove from and north of Pueblo. Panpsychism headlined the music portion to keep the energy flowing. Billie Jo Gillespie arrived earlier in the day, after being on the last leg of her five state tour. She had driven over eight hours earlier from Okla. Jill Carlson drove four hours to headline. Ney dedicated the festival in memory of his mother, Van Nop Ney, and immortalized her name on all of the merchandise.