Childish Gambino
Going into Sasquatch! 2012, Childish Gambino was definitely one of the most anticipated acts to catch. The fascination and intrigue of watching Donald Glover perform went far past an affinity for his role on “Community;” the sincerity in his lyrics, and the jovial attitude that would rhythmically manifest, all of it caught me and reeled me in. CG came out in full force with, “Outside,” one of the singles off 2011’s, Camp, the crowd ate it up. As the set progressed he peppered his set list from songs off his earlier albums, but his focus was definitely on Camp, after all this is supposed to be its summer. Towards the last few songs the sheer ferocity of the band seemed to begin to overload the speakers, within a few songs it definitely sounded like something had given out. Childish Gambino seemingly busted the stage; after the performance he displayed it’s easy enough to believe.
Metric
Having just been floored in a monstrous mosh pit during the Childish Gambino, it was time for that all to familiar Saturday hill-top cool down. Metric was just beginning to come on stage, and the day had barely felt like it was just beginning. Though customarily the hill-top cool down is best suited for something slower, something airy, something that’s made for cloud watching—in past years such favorites being Beach House, Iron and Wine; Emily Haines made it kind of difficult to let one’s self do this. She came out fast as a pistol, and never let the energy drop. Working the crowd into a frenzy she picked up where CG left off and continued to build the crowds excitement.
tUnE-yArDs
tUnE-yArDs, yet another Sas alum making good and coming back to larger and larger crowds. There was definitely a noticeable increase in the casual music listener, having picked up a few of the top hits through Spotify. tUnE-yArDs in general were just as good as they have been a few year earlier, claims of their improvement were, at least in my opinion, over exaggerated, this isn’t to say that they weren’t fantastic, but they’ve always been fantastic, just because others can’t recall that doesn’t make it any less true.
The Shins
Haven’t been fortunate enough to catch The Shins play before, I was eager to see how their sound transferred in a live format. Perhaps I should have kept the suspense alive by avoiding this particular performance. From anywhere that wasn’t stage center, the sound didn’t carry to well and with it went all excitement. In an intimate venue I can see James Mercer and company leading an emotionally charged evening, alas I may end up skipping them at any other festivals.
St. Vincent
Having seen St. Vincent several times over that last few years, I have to preface this with, HOLY S#!T she’s amazing! I was completely taken aback and surprised by her power and the stage presence she commands. For as long as I’ve watched Ms. Clark, she’s always demanded the audience’s attention. As she’s grown as a performer her style has tapped deep into the heart of rock, down to the Blues of it all. There was a dark undertone just slightly short of, and it worked so well. Her excitement and enthusiasm manifested everyone into their own hysteric feats of dancing and jumping around. Of course she was properly thanked with one of the most impressive in-show crowd surf’s I’ve ever witnessed.
Wolfgang Gartner
Similar to Beats Antique the night before, as the dance tent a.k.a Banana Shack is on the way to the main stage from the Bigfoot stage, you’re liable to stray into a few dance parties. Wolfgang Gartner was at a high point as we strolled in to their set, to immediately walk back out—if you were looking for the dance party, that’s where it was. If you were craving more rock after St. Vincent, well only Jack White was going to satisfy that urge.
Jack White
Never being a large fan of the White Stripes, I can admit that I’ve developed a stigma against Jack White’s creations. I’ve never tried to take credit away from the musician, as it stands Jack White is one of the most impressive musicians performing, in all technical terms, and also in most creative senses too. Watching him live made me feel like I’m sure most have: to not have seen the White Stripes performed live, is an unfortunate tragedy to any music lover or show goer. He commands a presence that comes from an older generation of Rock n’ Roll, making me feel like to meet him in person would be like meeting his caricature version of Elvis in “Walk Hard,” eccentric, erratic, yet all for his own enjoyment really.
The Roots
In all honesty it was always a shock to me that the Roots had been chosen for a late night set. I had thought that a more creative and ultimately more powerful experience could’ve been created in Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai playing late night sets—however I’m sure there were numerous mitigating circumstances that wouldn’t allow this to work. As far as the Roots themselves, there’s not too much that can be said. They play every night on the Jimmy Fallon show, and you could’ve caught the same show there, for better or worst.