Sasquatch! Festival 2011 Preview
By thenaturalstoner
It’s hard to believe that out of over 100 bands performing at this years Sasquatch! Music Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre, I have only seen two. I go to a lot of concerts, and like a lot of these bands, so it’s really freaking odd to me that I have only seen the Old 97’s (at an old Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle, approx. 10 years ago) and Sharon Jones, although I didn’t see her with the Dap-Kings, only as a backup performer to Phish at their legendary Festival 8. With that said there are some amazing acts this year, and as always, Sasquatch! is plum full of up and coming bands we will all love in 2-3 years. This preview will look at my favorite acts I am looking forward to, and why. There are lots of different reasons that these bands appear on this list, and after the Festival I am sure some of my favorite sets from the event won’t be any of these listed, but these are the top bands I am most looking forward to seeing perform live (ALL for the first time!).
10. Flogging Molly: While “celtic punk rock” isn’t my favorite genre, it certainly jumps up big on the list after a few cold beers. So Sunday night’s Flogging Molly set on the Main Stage at the Gorge should be epic (so should The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse to follow on the Main Stage-what a way to start the night!).
9. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings: As mentioned above, I have seen Sharon Jones once before, backing up Phish at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio. This will be a nice treat seeing her with her own band. Sharons throwback funk/soul sound gets me going every time and her voice is amazing.
8. The Decembrists: I will admit, an ex-girlfriend got me into this band. Usually the kiss of death, but I have always kind of liked their sound (their 2011 album The King is Dead is a lot of fun) and these guys will be great at the Gorge.
7. Chromeo: When the initial Sasquatch! lineup was announced, I asked concertconfessions own Rev. Justito to give me some names of bands to check out that I might not be familiar with. I’m pretty sure Chromeo was on his list because they made it onto my iPod, but after a couple listens it really wasn’t for me. However, I decided to give their recent Coachella Festival webcast a chance, and after watching the ENTIRE set, this Prince-meets-Devo funky pop band is something I am really excited about seeing. I can only imagine the dance party that awaits.
6. Modest Mouse: The great Northwests own Modest Mouse, returning to Sasquatch! for a night for the ages. Sunday nights headliner is a band that I like (not love), but maybe that will change as this will be my first Modest Mouse show. I have heard their concerts can be hit or miss, especially these days, but I have to think the Sunday night magic of Sasquatch! will leave the Gorge Amphitheatre in awe.
5. Bassnectar: Dubstep, a genre I am a total noob about, is intriguing to me. And Bassnectar is one of the best blowing up right now. After hearing about the legendary glow stick wars (that supposedly put my band Phish’s to shame) and seeing some YouTube clips, I have a sneaking suspicion that this late night set could be one of the best of the entire Festival.
4. Iron & Wine: Another ex-girlfriend introduction for me, but I thank her greatly for it. Iron & Wine (traditionally a one man band, but I have heard he sometimes tours with a group) is one of my favorite mellow “rock” acts. The Main State of the Gorge will be a perfect setting for a Saturday night dusk time set and the new album is super, so the tunes should be great.
3. J. Mascis: The front man for legendary alternative band Dinosaur Jr. will be at Sasquatch! performing a solo set. J.’s past solo performances are great and his latest all-acoustic album “Several Shades of Why” is fantastic. This will be a small side stage act not to be missed! I think I just pee’d my pants a little thinking about it.
2. The Flaming Lips: Not sure how I have not seen this band before, but am SUPER excited for this set. The Lips will be performing their 1999 epic “The Soft Bulletin” in its entirety, plus other additional songs to follow. I’ve been told a Flaming Lips show can be life changing, so Sunday May 29th may be my last “normal” day as thenaturalstoner.
1. Foo Fighters: The first band announced for this years Festival is the one I am looking forward to the most. Nirvana was always my favorite band growing up, and to have the opportunity to see Dave Grohl and Pat Smear play together will rock my mind and soul. Nirvana Bassist Krist Novoselic performed on the Foos new album “Wasting Light” (as did Huskur Du’s own Bob Mould, also at the Sasquatch! Fest), so who knows, maybe a Nirvana reunion will rock Central Washington in May. Regardless, this is one set I have been looking forward to for months on end. I had the chance to see the Foos only one other time, also at the Gorge with Kool Keith and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and some mishaps along the way caused me to miss the show. That will NOT happen this time.
Just missing the cut: Death Cab for Cutie, Death From Above 1979, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Washington state hip-hop represent!), Bob Mould, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Trailer Park Boys, Reggie Watts, Wilco.
Things I am pissed about: J. Mascis and Chromeo only scheduled for 45 minutes; The Decemberists, Iron and Wine and Bassnectar only scheduled for an hour; Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings scheduling conflict.
So that’s my list. The best part about Festivals, especially 4 day long ones, is that your list will differ greatly from mine. I can’t wait to check these bands out (plus 90 others!) and report back on who was amazing and who failed to live up to expectations. George, Washington, here we come!!!
For those who can’t make it – NPR will be broadcasting live from the festival all weekend long.
Sasquatch! Festival 2011 Full Lineup:
Friday, May 27
Foo Fighters
Death From Above 1979
Against Me!
Biffy Clyro
Rival Schools
The Bronx
Bob Mould
Saturday, May 28
Death Cab For Cutie
Bright Eyes
Iron & Wine
Bassnectar
Robyn
Pink Martini
Wolf Parade
Local Natives
Matt & Kim
Trailer Park Boys
Sleigh Bells
The Thermals
Jenny & Johnny
The Head & The Heart
K-os
The Radio Dept.
The Antlers
Sharon Van Etten
Aloe Blacc
The Secret Sisters
Wye Oak
J. Mascis
Tig Notaro
Alberta Cross
Seattle Rock Orchestra
Washed Out
Dan Mangan
The Globes
Rebecca Gates & The Consortium
Pepper Rabbit
DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid
Matt McCarthy
The Glitch Mob
Sunday, May 29
Modest Mouse
The Flaming Lips
Flogging Molly
Cold War Kids
Ratatat
MSTRKRFT
Yeasayer
Beach House
Flying Lotus
Tokyo Police Club
Fitz & The Tantrums
Archers of Loaf
City and Colour
Reggie Watts
Gayngs
Tim Minchin
The Drums
Sam Roberts Band
Villagers
The Moondoggies
Smith Westerns
Das Racist
Wheedle’s Groove
S. Carey
Typhoon
Gold Panda
Cotton Jones
Mad Rad
Basia Bulat
Other Lives
Talkdemonic
DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid
Hari Kondabolu
Monday, May 30
Wilco
The Decemberists
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Old 97’s
Chromeo
Guided By Voices
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Deerhunter
Major Lazer
Skrillex
The Scott Aukerman & Paul F. Tompkins Show
!!!
Best Coast
Surfer Blood
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Bonobo (DJ Set)
Young the Giant
Stornoway
Black Mountain
Noah & The Whale
Wavves
GIVERS
Twin Shadow
Foster the People
White Denim
Axis of Awesome
Jaill
White Arrows
Head Like A Kite
The Young Evils
DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid
