Third time’s a charm, right? If that’s the case, than the third personal installment of Sasquatch! Music Festival in George Washington sure was destined for the record books. Going to the Gorge has become an annual tradition for myself, as well as the festival family that has been cultivated from an unwavering appreciation and love for all that is music. With every new festival season, there’s often the thought of, “how can this year top the last,” (first world problems, right?) On Memorial Day Weekend if these are you’re main and only concerns, congratulations you’re winning in this crazy little game we call life, and there’s likely a few people you should constantly thank.
To be fair, with the past years bringing many indelible sets like Santigold in 2009 creating the epic dance party, and the Decembrists in the same year playing so magically that their sound created infectious love making for the world to see; or LCD in 2010 bringing 20,000 festival goers into one of the most unbelievable gatherings and sing along most will ever witness to the early “00’s” Indie rock legends that seemed to have come together for one of the most ideal lineups last year, (Iron & Wine into Bright Eyes into Death Cab, c’mon now;) it’s hard to keep one upping yourself… But this is Sasquatch, and over the years Adam Zacks, has become somewhat of a kingmaker in the music world, bringing in bands and artists right before their about to break, or finding gems to release unto the world.
For southwesterners, driving from Arizona every year has become just as important to the experience as the festival itself. Traveling 1,300 miles one way to camp in a desert that’s in all reality like the one we have at home, there’s always an odd sense of déjà vu. With it comes a comfort that I have to believe is reserved for a select few… So going back to Sasquatch! every time feels just like going home. This year we decided to go a little bit off the beatened path, and we had the Symbiosis gathering in Pyramid Lake Nevada to thank for that one, (check that amazingness out here.) Driving up the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain, and into the ever-beautiful Oregon forests, we couldn’t help but let the anticipation slowly consume. With a pit stop in beautiful Portland we only had a short drive through Seattle to pick up supplies and soldiers, and then off to the Gorge.
As seems to be the case with every year, the elements like to test the patience of all Squatcher’s early on. Heavier winds, intermittent rain, and colder temperatures, these are what we’ve become accustomed to in the past years; however as we just left a fest that Burners, (Burners (n)-a modern colloquialism used for festival goers that frequent Black Rock Nevada’s Burning Man,) repeatedly told us was much harsher than anything they experienced, it was going to take a lot for Sasquatch! to truly test our patience or even make it a challenge. Yeah out tent was breaking, and yeah the sun had gone down hours before, but who cares, when the Gorge is at your front door, life’s complications often seem meaningless and a far off thought. The wind could not stop us.
Waking up on Friday morning was a treat, as we decided to make the trek in earlier the day before, there was still plenty of room around us, thanks Premiere. Coming forth from our tent the Main Stage was clearly visible, and sound check was in full swing… and so it begins. Friday’s lineup had an interesting mixture of music counterbalancing the day, with a folksy/ alternative sound like, Of Monsters and Men and Allen Stone to of course the main draw for the hoards with the dance party mixes of, Beats Antique, Pretty Lights, and even a little Girl Talk. Oddly enough Explosions in the Sky was tossed in the middle closing the Bigfoot stage, and giving some respite for those who were less inclined to try and forge through the mob of overly induced teenagers.
Of Monsters and Men:
Not being an initial fan of their debut album, My Head is an Animal, I was surprised by their set. Playing main stage at Sasquatch! tends to bring a little more out of any artist, and this group definitely knew it. Playing through a few of their deeper tracks, they saved the crowd pleaser of “Little Talks,” for the middle, knowing full well what everyone had come to hear. Though there were some sound difficulties during the beginning of their set, it was more comical for the band and the audience. Ultimately adding to the experience. Suffice to say seeing them play for the first time on Sasquatch’s! main stage was a great way to start off the weekend.
Poliça:
As Of Monsters and Men started to end, there was something that had kept pulling me to Poliça… going in to the festival this was definitely one act that kept popping out, as one that shouldn’t be missed. Fortunately scheduling allowed for catching their set. Poliça is somewhat reminiscent of past Sas alum like Phantogram, just a bit slower, but the heavy vocals of Channy Leanagh definitely set them apart from the crowd. As part of the Minneapolis super-group Gayngs (who in fact performed the year before) Channy can be recognized as the female contributor to the mix. Strapped in a bright silver sequenced dress, she strolled across the stage with a presence that is nothing short of inspiring.
Santigold:
Running from the Poliça set to Santigold prove to be an easier feat than originally thought, I suppose many were still trying to funnel in for the night, but hadn’t been able to make it down to the main pit. We were able to get up close and personal for the first real dance party of the weekend. Santigold had an amazingly eccentric setup, using minimalistic stage accompaniments, like her two dancers. The most notable addition to the performance had to be the random horse costume that made a cameo later on into the set. At one point she brought up a small group of fans to rock out with her, making for a crowd pleasing scene. There isn’t much one can do at a Santigold show but dance, and so the set rolled through with very little conversation, mainly just one beat into the next.
Girl Talk:
How do you keep the party going after Santigold? Why with Mr. Greg Gillis, also known as Girl Talk! Girl Talks performance can be best summarized as rainbows upon rainbows of confetti falling everywhere. Having experienced the confetti canons frequented at Girl Talk performance it would be safe to assume they brought a bit more this time around. It’s hard to imagine trying to leave a Girl Talk show, especially while being surrounded in the heart of the party, but the promise of Explosions in the Sky at the Gorge was too much to pass up.
Explosions in the Sky:
I’d like to go off into a long dramatic soliloquy on what it means, what it really means, to see Explosions in the Sky at the Gorge, but… well… I just can’t. It’s EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY AT THE GORGE! There are no words, to explain the sentiment, this moment will be one permanently etched in glory, because Explosion shows always leave you breathless, there’s just not enough time or words that can properly convey the thought.
Beats Antique
As we made our way from the Bigfoot stage moving towards the main stage, we stumbled across Beats Antique. At first I had a momentary moment of PTSD, recalling the weekend before at Symbiosis 2012 (never forget,) where we braved the winds, the heat, and the ground literally sinking from below our feet…Once I realized I was in the beautiful land of Washington the feeling subsided, and Beats Antique were just as crazy as ever.
Pretty Lights:
Honestly there isn’t any need to expand much on this thought, but Pretty Lights lived up to his name, and it was a blast!