So, okay, Sasquatch.
This was the best weekend of the year, possibly of my whole life. There were ton of campground adventures and shenanigans, but lets stick to the music.
Saturday:
Mumford & Sons: They were great, play with incredible energy. Never seen a guy rock that hard on a banjo before. I know alot of people can't stand these guys, and i was lukewarm on them before, but this performance sold me on them.
Portugal. The Man: So talented, also amazing energy.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: Total singalong fest. Really fun, though the spoken word part of "Home" was super awkward.
Broken Social Scene: Now we're getting serious. Probably the most talented group of musicians I've seen. The new stuff off Forgiveness Rock Record sounded fantastic. Closed with "Meet Me in the Basement" which is guaranteed to be a staple of future live shows.
The National: THEY FUCKING KILLED IT. This was the best setlist i could (realistically) expect. Played the best stuff of High Violet ("Afraid of Everyone," "Bloodbuzz Ohio," "Conversation 16," "England," and closed with a GODLY performance of "Terrible Love"), Matt went into the crowd for "Abel." Played "Apartment Story," "Fake Empire," and "Mr. November." They did not fuck us over.
Vampire Weekend:
Huge dance party on the hill. So much fun.
My Morning Jacket: I need to see them again. Opened with soem of my favourite songs of theirs ("One Big Holiday," "Gideon," "Off the Record," "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Part 1," "I'm Amazed"
). Played an awe-inspiring 15 minute or so version of "Dondante." Had an amazing finish and encore ("Wordless Chorus," "Highly Suspicious," and closing with "Steam Engine"). Couldn't have asked any more from them. The only bad thing was the crowd seriously depleted at around 11 when people started leaving for Deadmau5. Still, it was amazing.
Deadmau5: I only caught the last half, but i was seriously disappointed. Just didn't feel like he was giving it his all. Made the same drop about 3 times. Maybe it was because I was coming down from my high, or maybe it was because i was surrounded by sweaty guys, but i just wasn't feeling it.
His light show was pretty spectacular though.
Sunday:
Local Natives: Had to catch them from afar, but they sounded great. For a new band they sound extremely tight.
Tallest Man on Earth: I love this man. Dylanesque voice, amazing lyrics, incredible performer.
Cymbals Eat Guitars: It's a shame when the crowd looks disinterested (or literally aren't there at all) during a fantastic performance. Seriously, these guys shredded up there.
Kid Cudi: THE party of the weekend. The pit was absolutely packed I could barely move. I don't care for his music much, but he sure can put on a pretty decent show. A true showman.
The xx: Only caught like 3 songs from them, but damned if I didn't want to stay. Sounded great.
LCD Soundsystem: yeah, fuck the xx, I need a good spot in the pit for LCD, even if it means suffering through Tegan & Sara. This was probably the best show I've ever seen. I can't imagine what a full set would be, we got 9 songs and it was amazing. I'll sum it up by saying I got to sing "All My Friends" with all my friends. Oh, and
this.
Pavement: Classic Pavement. Classic Indie rock. Malkmus swinging his guitar around, acting like an asshole, arguing with the band, stopping the show multiple times, going over time, opening with "Cut Your Hair" and "Trigger Cut." What more could I ask for?
Massive Attack: Talk about light shows, holy fuck. I would like to tell you all about it but all i can remember is numbers flashing in the background and Martina Topley Bird's red dress. Totally Mind Blowing.
Booka Shade: These guys are fucking sweet. Danced my ass off. Craziest drum set-up i've ever seen.
Monday:
Temper Trap: Probably the only band that didn't blow me away. Still, it was decent, chill music for laying on the hill.
Drive-By Truckers: Wish i was in a better (ie. more sober) mind set for seeing them, but I can't say they weren't great.
Passion Pit: DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!
Japandroids: Total rock stars. Love em.
She & Him: Aw, I just love looking at Zooey. Even if they sucked i would love it. But they didn't, they were awesome. M. Ward is such a badass and they played a sweet cover of "Roll over Beethoven"
Band of Horses: Soooooo good. I forget how loved these guys are all over. They played the favourites and the entire crowd was singing along. I didn't know Ben Birdwell looked so fucking haggard though.
MGMT: Went into it not expecting much, hearing they suck live and their sound doesn't translate, blah blah blah. Dedicated the set to fallen soldiers (it was memorial day after all) and opened with a tasteful rendition of "Pieces of What." Then they RIPPED SHIT UP. They were absolutely great. All their new stuff is so great live, and they played "Time to Pretend" "Electric Feel" AND "Kids." MGMT had made it their mission this year to distance themselves from their first album (they didn't play "Kids" at Coachella, and rarely play it on tour), so it was pretty amazing they played all three of their biggest hits for us. Plus, did i mention they fucking rocked? The crowd looked like it was expecting a dance party when really it was a rock show. They broke it down pretty well during "The Handshake." Really, really surprised at how awesome they were.
Boys Noize: Intense. Never in my life have i been that covered in sweat.
Missed out seeing: Ween, New Pornos (arrgh!), Public Enemy (Double arrgh!), Mountain Goats (triple arrgh!), Dirty Projectors, Girls, Why? Dr. Dog, No Age, Past Lives, The Heavy, A-Trak, Neon Indian, Tame Impala, The Heavy, Fruit Bats, and Patrick Watson, but still, what a weekend.
