Young Atlanta becomes one at Peace Fest

On May 7, 2016, a collective of young Georgia Tech engineering students calling themselves Patio Mob unwittingly hosted one of the most diverse music festivals of the summer. Peace Fest took over No Man's Land skate park — an unassuming warehouse in the West End — for a day of music and lounging.

On most days, No Man's Land bustles with young skaters drawn to the building's half-pipes and wide-open concrete spaces. But for one Saturday afternoon, mobs of young kids gathered to spend the day listening to music. Face painters, a tampon drive from Peach Coven, rock bands, electronic dance beats, and lose-your-mind hip-hop performances all combined into a daylong celebration of diversity and diversion. All told, 17 bands spread out across the outdoor Yin stage and the indoor Yang stage.

Walking around the skate park, it was difficult to tell who was playing that day and who was there just hanging out. A lack of distinction between band members and festivalgoers led to performers blending in at the front of the stage, lost in a young scene ready to put their phones down and celebrate with their hands in the air.

Sea Ghost, King Guru, Dog Lover 420, Larry League, and Danger Incorporated led unhinged performances for an explosive crowd. A scene with this much raw, youthful energy could only grow out of the tangled kudzu and ruins of a derelict industrial warehouse district — and with this many bands, could only be rendered with this much orderly chaos by a group of engineering students.

Peace Fest placed an emphasis on strengthening community bonds around music and the arts. Here, festival goers lineup to get their faces painted by photographer Rebecca Gerhard.

Sloth and Friends set the scene for a relaxed day amid the industrial ruins at Peace Fest.

Dog Lover 420 switched up the mood with a set of electronic pop that brought the crowd to its feet.

King Guru played the outdoor Yin stage as the sun set over No Man's Land.

Aidan Burns & Wounded Deer whipped the scene into a frenzy with their high-energy performance.

The pit built around the base of a half-pipe. The bands played on as skaters pumped back-and-forth across the ramp.

A skater takes to the air in the midst of Peace Fest.

Circle pit at Peace Fest.

The audience and the performers become one as Danger Incorporated feat. Young Ghoul (blue jacket) take the stage.

Danger Incorporated feat. Young Ghoul.

Danger Incorporated feat. Young Ghoul.

Danger Incorporated blesses the crowd at Peace Fest.

Crowds and power: Danger Incorporated live at Peace Fest.

Sea Ghost frontman Carter Sutherland breaks out a box of Cap'n Crunch Oops! All Berries Cereal.

Sea Ghost baptized Peace Fest with Cap’n Crunch.

A moment of elation in the midst of Sea Ghost’s set.