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

thenaturalstoner is a Northwestern United States concert going human being who enjoys documenting his experiences. These are not always limited to the concert stage. thenaturalstoner likes his WSU Cougar football and collection of wet wipes as well (try ‘em out instead of toilet paper sometime!).