On March 11, a car crash took the life of Skylar Berry.
“We so loved her, because she stood for the things that were right,” said Billy Gargan, who’d known Berry since high school. “She was your No. 1 fan. She always believed in everything that you did. … She was such a loving person and soul.”
On Saturday, June 6, Berry’s fans, friends and loved ones will pay tribute to the life and art of Berry—the vocalist in progressive grindcore band Layer:0—with an all-day festival called Skyfest. Local and Inland Empire bands Space in Sound, Day of Peace, Arph, Call Me the Boxer, Gxllium, He Films the Clouds, Bronca, Violuminescence and Doppelgagers will join Layer:0 to raise funds for two organizations representing causes near and dear to Berry’s heart: St. John’s Community Health Transgender Health Program, and ICE Out of California. The event will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. at Music House Indio (82777 Miles Ave.), before moving to the Oasis on Miles (82713 Miles Ave.) from 6 to 10 p.m.
Gargan is a member of the band Space and Sound, and runs Kickass Booking with his friend and bandmate, Kyle Helm. Gargan and Helm joined forces with other local show promoters including Hot Stuff Booking; Noisepile; The Lab; Dunes Booking (operated by the Independent’s Matt King); Violuminescence’s Moon Wahal and Bri Maloney; and Berry’s partner—also named Skylar—to put together Skyfest.
“This is the first time that we’re seeing everyone really come together and work together toward one magnum opus show,” Gargan said. “This is such a beautiful thing, because this is something Skylar’s always wanted, and it’s happening. It’s unfortunate that it had to come at the expense of her life, but it’s great to see that everyone is playing a part. The whole community is really contributing, whether it’s promoting, making merch, working the event or playing the event.”
Gargan said Berry’s sudden and tragic death brought the music community together.
“(Her death) was definitely a moment where we realized we’re all human beings, and we’re not going to live forever,” Gargan said. “At the end of the day, we need to appreciate what we have, and use our platforms to support each other and recognize that we’re all going for one goal at the end of the day. We all love music. We all want to put our music out there and just be artists. I think the loss of her just really brought people together, because it made people realize that life is very fragile, and there’s no time for animosity or weirdness. There’s strength in numbers, and it’s best if we start working together to keep alive what we have going in our music scene.”
Berry and her bandmate, Zach Rivizzigno, earned numerous fans in Layer:0. Berry participated in the Independent’s “The Lucky 13” feature in 2024, shortly after the release of EP The Dead Are Not Silent, which Matt King described as a “seven-track, nine-minute epic.”
“Berry’s vocal performance is intense and filled with chaotic screaming, yet the lyrics are filled with poetic techniques dealing with themes of resistance,” King wrote.
When asked what band or artist changed her life, Berry mentioned SeeYouSpaceCowboy, a San Diego-based hardcore band that focused on themes including LGBTQ+ representation. The band included Connie Sgarbossa, who, like Berry, is transgender.
“Seeing them live with Zach was legitimately life-changing for me,” Berry said. “I thought I’d have to give up on a lot of my dreams and goals after coming to terms with my identity, but seeing Connie (Sgarbossa) and the guys live, I was like, ‘Oh wait, what am I thinking? I’m allowed to do this!’”
The highlight of Skyfest will be the return of Layer:0 to the stage. Gargan said a variety of people will join Rivizzigno during the performance.
“There will be a rotation of drummers, as well as all of her friends taking the mic,” Gargan said. “We’re labeling it the ‘Layer:0 Supergroup,’ because it’s really her friends honoring her and recognizing that the dead are not silent—which is also the name of Layer:0’s first EP. The dead are not silent, and her voice will live on forever. It’s going to be absolute chaos, and it’s going to be the most beautiful thing in the world.”
Gargan said the organizers hope to make Skyfest an annual event—and Berry’s friends plan to keep speaking up regarding the causes for which she fought.
“Silence is a detriment to what we’re trying to do,” Gargan said. “It’s important to speak up for trans rights and immigrants’ rights, and just stand up for what’s right. Skylar did that. She was one of the most outspoken people I know. She was always very positive despite living in fear many days of her life, just because of who she was.”
Skyfest will take place from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6, at Music House Indio, at 82777 Miles Ave., in Indio, before moving to the Oasis on Miles, 82713 Miles Ave., from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be a suggested donation of $10 at the door.
