So it's been almost a week (nix that, I started to write this post back then, but now it's already June!) since the Sasquatch! music festival over at the Gorge and I am just now getting to writing about it? Yeah, sounds like me. If I had to describe in one word what that festival was to me = nirvana (not the band). Not only did I get the opportunity to hear over twenty amazing bands, but it was extremely relaxing and I spent it with one of my best friends, Gwen. So here's the rundown of who/what we saw:Saturday
First up was Fleet Foxes. I had never heard of these guys, but I generally enjoyed what I heard. They looked like a ragamuffin bunch complete with bushy beards and flannel shirts. Despite their lumberjack appearance, their music was very much steeped in Greatful Dead harmonies and acoustics. I'd like to get these guys' EP and am excited to see where they go in the future. Did I mention they are local?
Then we deviated from the main stage to go check out the comedy tent. I guess this was the first year they tried out comedy (and I have a sneaking suspicion it's due to the wildly growing success of the comedy venues at Bumbershoot). It was somewhat disappointing seeing as these performers came highly recommended. I don't actually remember names except for Tim Medows (one of my all time SNL heroes) because why remember names of crappy performers? Anywho, we only stayed there for like an hour and then ventured back to the main stage.
Beirut was next. Now, I had actually heard of these guys and even had one of their singles from iTunes free downloads they have every week. I didn't really remember them, but was excited to see them because I have heard so many good things about their music. And their music WAS good. It was a very interesting combination of instruments, trumpets, euphonium, violin, all added to the standard rock set up complete with guitars, bass and drum set. It sounded very fresh and heavily influenced by Europe (the name give you a hint?). I really enjoyed them and that probably has something to do with my extreme nerd-dom when it comes to any sort of wind instrument!
Still at the main stage, we saw Ozomatli and The New Pornographers. I wasn't especially impressed by either as you may be able to tell by my lumping of them both into this very short and insignificant paragraph.
M.I.A. next. I can't say I have heard of her before Sasquatch! but judging by the massive amount of people singing along, she's popular with some demographic. Her music is very dance oriented, with strong bass/techno beats. A lot of use of sound effects. The accompanying video was "trippy" to say the least. I especially enjoyed the song "Paper Planes" also one of her most popular. Her shining moment on stage though was definitely when she brought at least 100 audience members on stage to dance. It was quite a sight! I'm sure there was massive amounts of drug induced trance dancing going on, but we were far enough away to be unable to tell.
Then Modest Mouse. Of course I have heard of them, but have never really payed much attention to them. They were good, but not amazing. Gwen tells me they were a lot harder than they are on their album. I sorta liked the intensity they had on stage which leads me to believe that I might not like them so much on their record.
Last up was R.E.M. who I was wildly excited for but did not stay to watch. Why in the world did we leave? The answer is as follows:
Then we deviated from the main stage to go check out the comedy tent. I guess this was the first year they tried out comedy (and I have a sneaking suspicion it's due to the wildly growing success of the comedy venues at Bumbershoot). It was somewhat disappointing seeing as these performers came highly recommended. I don't actually remember names except for Tim Medows (one of my all time SNL heroes) because why remember names of crappy performers? Anywho, we only stayed there for like an hour and then ventured back to the main stage.Beirut was next. Now, I had actually heard of these guys and even had one of their singles from iTunes free downloads they have every week. I didn't really remember them, but was excited to see them because I have heard so many good things about their music. And their music WAS good. It was a very interesting combination of instruments, trumpets, euphonium, violin, all added to the standard rock set up complete with guitars, bass and drum set. It sounded very fresh and heavily influenced by Europe (the name give you a hint?). I really enjoyed them and that probably has something to do with my extreme nerd-dom when it comes to any sort of wind instrument!
Still at the main stage, we saw Ozomatli and The New Pornographers. I wasn't especially impressed by either as you may be able to tell by my lumping of them both into this very short and insignificant paragraph.
M.I.A. next. I can't say I have heard of her before Sasquatch! but judging by the massive amount of people singing along, she's popular with some demographic. Her music is very dance oriented, with strong bass/techno beats. A lot of use of sound effects. The accompanying video was "trippy" to say the least. I especially enjoyed the song "Paper Planes" also one of her most popular. Her shining moment on stage though was definitely when she brought at least 100 audience members on stage to dance. It was quite a sight! I'm sure there was massive amounts of drug induced trance dancing going on, but we were far enough away to be unable to tell.
Then Modest Mouse. Of course I have heard of them, but have never really payed much attention to them. They were good, but not amazing. Gwen tells me they were a lot harder than they are on their album. I sorta liked the intensity they had on stage which leads me to believe that I might not like them so much on their record.
Last up was R.E.M. who I was wildly excited for but did not stay to watch. Why in the world did we leave? The answer is as follows:
- It was POURING rain. Cold rain. Cold, wet, rain.
- We had no jackets. Just what we wore earlier in the day.
- The sound system SUCKED. It was so quiet, there was no point in staying
Sunday
Sunday started with a band called 65DaysOfStatic. Yes, all smashed together like that. These guys were really hardcore, which I don't usually like all that much, but they had some real interesting composition going on. I could tell these guys know music. They didn't sing really at all either which left more of an opportunity to actually hear their music which I enjoyed more than I expected upon first inspection.
Then The Blue Scholars. Little known fact, I am pretty into the hip-hop scene. Especially the local hip-hop of Seattle. The Blue Scholars are the best example of where Northwest hip-hop is going. They are fresh, innovative, and not to mention from UW. I have seen these guys a total of 3 times and they only get better. It's just two dudes, rapping about life in Seattle, going to school, and troubles they face. It's amazing stuff to say the least. Also, in their song "The Ave" they mention the street where I lived in Lander, cool huh? At least I think so...
We saw a number of other bands that day, The Cold War Kids, Tegan & Sara, The Presidents of the United States (local), Michael Franti & Spearhead. All good stuff, just not anything spectacular I need to let you know about.
Then Death Cab. HUGE crowd. Okay music. I like them and all, but I don't think they are that good on stage.
The best of the night, in my opinion, The Cure. These guys are beastly! They played straight for 2.5 hours! They just kept going. Their music is good, they are relatively fun to watch, and their guitarist just shreds it up there. Not to mention has creepy face painting that makes it so much better. It was definitely fun to watch, but man was I tired when we rolled into our campsite well past midnight.
Then The Blue Scholars. Little known fact, I am pretty into the hip-hop scene. Especially the local hip-hop of Seattle. The Blue Scholars are the best example of where Northwest hip-hop is going. They are fresh, innovative, and not to mention from UW. I have seen these guys a total of 3 times and they only get better. It's just two dudes, rapping about life in Seattle, going to school, and troubles they face. It's amazing stuff to say the least. Also, in their song "The Ave" they mention the street where I lived in Lander, cool huh? At least I think so...
We saw a number of other bands that day, The Cold War Kids, Tegan & Sara, The Presidents of the United States (local), Michael Franti & Spearhead. All good stuff, just not anything spectacular I need to let you know about.
Then Death Cab. HUGE crowd. Okay music. I like them and all, but I don't think they are that good on stage.
The best of the night, in my opinion, The Cure. These guys are beastly! They played straight for 2.5 hours! They just kept going. Their music is good, they are relatively fun to watch, and their guitarist just shreds it up there. Not to mention has creepy face painting that makes it so much better. It was definitely fun to watch, but man was I tired when we rolled into our campsite well past midnight.
Monday
Started with Matt Costa, but I'm not going to lie, I definitely fell asleep for most of his set, not because it was bad, it was quite good, but just because it was sunny and I was still tired.
Then The Hives. I have heard of them but haven't actually heard them. They are a band from Sweden and very good. They have a nice punk sound that reminds me of The Clash and The Ramones. I loved the lead singer, charismatic and funny. Good stuff.
Then Built to Spill. Never heard of them. Not bad, not great. Also slept for some of this one.
From then on it was pretty amazing, starting with Rodrigo Y Gabriella. Now, I have been a fan of these two for some time. I think I was introduced to them by Matt and Holly to begin with. Basically, it's these two siblings (at least that's what I thought) who just rock the acoustic guitar. Not only did they play good stuff from their album, but covered a other popular tunes as well. I especially loved their rendition of "Wish You Where Here" by Pink Floyd, partly because I actually know how to play it, but also because Rodrigo used a beer bottle to play slide for the solo. It was epic.
Then Flight of the Conchords. Also introduced to me by Matt and Holly. These guys are HILARIOUS! Unfortunately, I haven't seen much of the show, but I do have their first EP. So, I didn't know the words to most of their stuff, but it was still so funny! Some woman actually threw her bra on stage and there was a blow up doll crowd surfing! They were very very good.
Then was The Mars Volta. I had heard these guys are crazy, which they are. They are like some kind of thrash/progressive/jazz band. The lead singer is so energetic, throwing stuff around, actually chucking a symbol into the crowd. Their songs were long and interesting, but at times, a bit monotonous. Overall, very interesting to listen to.
Last and MOST AMAZING was The Flaming Lips. I have no idea how I have never heard of any of their stuff, but it is so good! I am pretty sure I have been converted into a life-long fan. I had also heard these guys' live shows are amazing, but they absolutely blew me away. First off, all the lights go out and a UFO is descending from the top of the stage and out comes the band members. Finally the lead, Wayne Coyne, comes out of the top enclosed in a giant plastic bubble! He then proceeds to jump on top of the crowd and surf the tops all the way back on to stage. It was the greatest thing I have ever seen. They continued with more theatrics and amazingness all though out. They had giant balloons, streamers, aliens, naked people, videos, astronauts, you name it. It was so amazing. I highly recommend going to one of their shows before they stop touring. It will change your life! I looked over and Gwen was actually in tears at one point. We both agree, that show immediately became the best we have ever been to, hands down.
So that's the run down of the Sasquatch! music festival. A lot went on there, a lot of interesting things to say the least. But for me, the best part was the music. Seeing these great artists play in such a beautiful surrounding, there is no other venue I love more. I can't wait for next year, hopefully some of you will join!
Then The Hives. I have heard of them but haven't actually heard them. They are a band from Sweden and very good. They have a nice punk sound that reminds me of The Clash and The Ramones. I loved the lead singer, charismatic and funny. Good stuff.
Then Built to Spill. Never heard of them. Not bad, not great. Also slept for some of this one.
From then on it was pretty amazing, starting with Rodrigo Y Gabriella. Now, I have been a fan of these two for some time. I think I was introduced to them by Matt and Holly to begin with. Basically, it's these two siblings (at least that's what I thought) who just rock the acoustic guitar. Not only did they play good stuff from their album, but covered a other popular tunes as well. I especially loved their rendition of "Wish You Where Here" by Pink Floyd, partly because I actually know how to play it, but also because Rodrigo used a beer bottle to play slide for the solo. It was epic.
Then Flight of the Conchords. Also introduced to me by Matt and Holly. These guys are HILARIOUS! Unfortunately, I haven't seen much of the show, but I do have their first EP. So, I didn't know the words to most of their stuff, but it was still so funny! Some woman actually threw her bra on stage and there was a blow up doll crowd surfing! They were very very good.Then was The Mars Volta. I had heard these guys are crazy, which they are. They are like some kind of thrash/progressive/jazz band. The lead singer is so energetic, throwing stuff around, actually chucking a symbol into the crowd. Their songs were long and interesting, but at times, a bit monotonous. Overall, very interesting to listen to.
Last and MOST AMAZING was The Flaming Lips. I have no idea how I have never heard of any of their stuff, but it is so good! I am pretty sure I have been converted into a life-long fan. I had also heard these guys' live shows are amazing, but they absolutely blew me away. First off, all the lights go out and a UFO is descending from the top of the stage and out comes the band members. Finally the lead, Wayne Coyne, comes out of the top enclosed in a giant plastic bubble! He then proceeds to jump on top of the crowd and surf the tops all the way back on to stage. It was the greatest thing I have ever seen. They continued with more theatrics and amazingness all though out. They had giant balloons, streamers, aliens, naked people, videos, astronauts, you name it. It was so amazing. I highly recommend going to one of their shows before they stop touring. It will change your life! I looked over and Gwen was actually in tears at one point. We both agree, that show immediately became the best we have ever been to, hands down.
So that's the run down of the Sasquatch! music festival. A lot went on there, a lot of interesting things to say the least. But for me, the best part was the music. Seeing these great artists play in such a beautiful surrounding, there is no other venue I love more. I can't wait for next year, hopefully some of you will join!
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