The final day of Sasquatch festival 2010 was easily the best day of the three. The frat-dick crowd seemed to have funneled out early, and the vibe was clearly one only concerned with music and amazing scenery. The folks who made it their mission to complete the rigorous musical mission were in high spirits and the bands responded with top-notch performances. The sun also peaked through the clouds which eased the gloom from Sunday, and it was quickly apparent Sasquatch saved the best for last.
Who I saw:
Past Lives, Phantogram, Fresh Espresso, Japandroids, No Age, Quasi, The Mountain Goats, Camera Obscura, Mayer Hawthorne and the County, The Temper Trap, Drive-By-Truckers, The New Pornographers, Passion Pit, Band of Horses, MGMT, Ween
The Highlights:
Past Lives:
Each and every time I see Past Lives they impress me further, and “Tapestry of Webs” being as good as it is, is even better live. Having just missed the other ex-Blood Brothers perform in Jaguar Love, and the rumored onstage snub by Johnny Whitney towards a couple ex-band mates. I would have to say it must have lit a fire under Jordan Blilie and co, because they were scorching hot. Ended up being an omen for how good the day would be? Certainly got things started right.
Past Lives | Photo by Nik Christofferson
Japandroids:
The noise Vancouver B.C. duo, were forced to use foreign equipment after their gear was misplaced by the airlines, while jetting over the pond to make the show. Sasquatch seems to be cursed for Japandroids as last year they were forced to cancel due to illness. This year they were determined to make up for the absence despite the setback. Brian King looked pretty uncertain as he strummed his borrowed instrument prior to beginning, but as soon as they began it was rock and roll time. Japandroids not only made the most of the situation but didn’t miss a beat as far as I was concerned. The crowd also totally had their backs and even attempted to push through the barricade as festival security did their darnedest to stop them. It was awesome.
Japandroids | Photo by Nik Christofferson
Quasi:
My favorite performance of day 3 belonged to Quasi. The veteran Portland based trio has a new fan, and I haven’t stopped listening to “American Gong” since. Just an all around energetic performance, with musicianship at an all time high, and ex-Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein was on hand for the extent. Some bands you just don’t really “hear” the first time around. The Neumos performance I saw a few years back just didn’t grab me, but now I hear you loud and clear Quasi, and I’m stoked.
Quasi | Photo by Nik Christofferson
Band of Horses:
Band of Horses lit up the Gorge with soaring guitar work, and those beautiful ballads. The band is on a roll, since opening for PJ on the last tour, and they honestly gave My Morning Jacket a run for their money. There is more than meets the eye beyond all the “indie credibility” that their first record brought. I believe they are truly an awesome live band especially since rising to the task and putting on one of the strongest main stage performances of the weekend.
Ween:
I wasn’t really certain what to expect from the geek rock stoner troop as headliners, but to put it as simply and plainly as possible Ween blew my mind. So many amazing guitar solos, so many epic jam sessions, and that awesome green glow. Massive Attack was awesome, but Ween was Epic. I totally get it now, I do. Some bands must be seen in their native setting to understand fully. You can listen to Ween records all day and night scratching your head, but when you finally see them live you can do nothing but bow to their greatness.
Ween | Photo by Nik Christofferson
Lowlights:
None. Monday was the best day, and none of the performances I saw deserve to be tagged lowlight.
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