(I'm channeling my inner W_Z with this one)
Yesterday was my first trip to a Pitchfork Fest. Overall, it was awesome - extremely hot - but that didn't stop most people, artist or fan.
The first band we made sure to catch was Titus Andronicus. Their set was good - in the heat of the day. Lots of energy and they were funnier than hell too. Lots of good one-liners mixed in between the songs.
Next up? Raekwon. My verdict? Huge let down (sorry Wu Tang devotees). They/he came on almost a half-hour late (a big no-no at a large festival) and then made it through exactly one song before "technical difficulties" delayed the set even more. I think he actually performed about 20 minutes max of music after the delay and repeated difficulties. Not good, though some of it I guess can be attributed to things beyond his control.
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion was next. The old guys showed the young kids how it's done. I was unsure how the long-time "club" band would translate to a large fest setting. They rocked. 60 straight minutes of hard rocking blues rifts, pounding drums, and arena-rock type posing, preening, and self-promoting (all JSBX standards). It had to be 105+F heat index, not a cloud in the sky - and Jon Spencer was wearing tight black leather pants, long sleeved-buttoned down shirt and a vest over that. Insanity.
Wolf Parade was really good too. Extremely tight and almost "too perfect". I'd definitely pay to see them again.
Bear in Heaven put on a good show on the "b" stage. It was first experience with their music, so I can't give a lot of details, but they were good.
Next up was Panda Bear. I don't get it at all. Thousands of people seemed to be there just to see him. He was so bad we left after a couple of "songs" and went to check out Freddie Gibbs instead on the "b" stage. The best way I can describe Panda Bear: The episode of "Friends" in which Ross is playing in his "band" in high school. It's literally just one guy playing "noises" on his keyboard. Real bad.
LCD Soundsystem closed the night all alone on the big stage. It was hot, it was sweaty and steamy - and there were 20,000+ people dancing their little butts off for over an hour. This was the perfect fit for a fest-ending band, until the last song (a slow, extended "groggy" version of "I love you NYC..." that was kind of a dull ending). But prior to that they owned Union Park.
Sidenote: the food at Pitchfork is better than anything you will find at any other fest, arena, club, "Taste" etc. I could have gone there with the main intent of eating the entire time. However - thumbs down on the alcohol. Fans had their choice of Heineken or Heineken Light. That was it. No other alcoholic options.
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