popwreckoning

For a long time, it seemed like St. Louis was only going to purport its stereotype of being a rap and hip hop town. Nelly was the most recognizable act from this gateway city. If a music fan wanted to listen to some indier acts, they’d have to traverse to Chicago or even Kansas City. Bands seemed to skip by this place unless they were of amphitheatre magnitude, and without anyone to step up and organize an event to draw these smaller indie acts, St. Louis seemed helpless as to how to change this.

But the people started speaking up – showing their musical tastes to be more diverse than just Top 40 radio. And guess what? The city answered. Slowly there has been a trend where these smaller rising bands and even more established, but not-quite-amphitheatre-status groups started visiting the Lou. And then the biggest boost: this year, St. Louis was presented with the first (hopefully annual) LouFest.

LouFest, a two-day music festival in the beautiful Forest Park, featured over 18 acts this past weekend with Canada collective Broken Social Scene headlining Saturday and the band crush of many, She & Him, on Sunday. Though the line-up seemed to focus more on indie folk or garage rock, it found its diversity in other ways: Jeff Tweedy and Built to Spill brought a classic touch, while Fruit Bats and So Many Dynamos brought a newer touch. Carolina Chocolate Drops gave a bit of a musical history lesson, while Gentleman Auction House, Kim Massie and others showed the range of local talents.

Bottle Rockets had the honor of being the first band to play at the first LouFest. Though their set was rocking for this established act, the crowd was sparse that early in the day. People were either trying to beat the heat or the steep ticket prices (lower cost is the number one suggestion for the 2nd LouFest!) because the crowd didn’t start filling out until around 5 p.m. Which is a shame because some of the best bands of the whole festival played that early afternoon.

Stephaniesid‘s music seemed to be unfamiliar to most everyone, but by the end of her set she had made everyone feel like old friends. She had a bit of a country alt rock thing but with the adornment of little, almost jazzy, freestyle yelps. This woman knows how to own a stage – she danced with the decorative drapings, sang her heart out and even got the crowd to singalong and participate, which wasn’t easy in that heat.

St. Louis’ own So Many Dynamos took over the blue stage after Stephaniesid and they had surprises in store for their hometown crowd. The boys invited out the Funky Brass Butt Band to amp up their set.

Adam Reichmann on the yellow stage had a harder time finding an audience for his slower jams, not to say he and his band were bad, but at least in this setting, the music and jokes fell flat.

But Titus Andronicus didn’t have any trouble finding enthusiasm for their brand of punk indie rock. Perhaps it was the contagious smile of violinist/guitarist Alexi Crawford or the New Jersey quips or catchy lyrics of frontman Patrick Stickles, but this was one of the best performances of the entire festival and that was evident by the crowd’s reaction.

That energy was set to carry over into Lucero’s set, but unfortunately the lead singer was ill and they had to call things short despite an admirable effort to play a rocking set even with his weary voice. St. Louis understands, but come back soon?

Word is that when LouFest organizers put out a survey to see what bands the city wanted them to bring – the number one response was Airborne Toxic Event. This is the viola-wielding, piano beating band that brought radio “Sometime Around Midnight” with a hushed intro that grows into a screaming, guitars blazing end. Yeah, they’re undoubtably good, but the number one request for the fest? Turns out Airborne Toxic Event had never played St. Louis in their 370 or so shows since their inception. So they were well overdue for an appearance. The band must have been feeling a little guilty for their extended performance absence and they spoiled St. Louis by debuting a bunch of new songs, which feature the same dynamic drive that powers their radio hits. You won’t have to worry about sophomore slump with this band.

Built to Spill as classic indie rock staples drew a huge crowd not just from LouFest attendees, but also from bands curious to see live one of their primary influences.

Broken Social Scene swamped the stage with their many collective members trading off vocals and instruments. There really couldn’t have been a better headliner for the night. Brass, double drums, great harmonies and tons of energy from staple Kevin Drew. While most bands save their big stunts for a big set closer, Drew showed by the second song that they weren’t holding anything back; he jumped off the stage and was embracing the audience. If you’ve never had the chance to experience this band live, you must. Their recordings don’t do the live show justice.

Sunday’s bands would have to really pull out all the stops to top what was delivered Saturday.

Since Sunday is the lord’s day, the bluesy, soulful voice of St. Louis’ miss Kim Massie delivered a special Gospel set to start the day before Magnolia Summer and then one of the more buzzed about bands: Carolina Chocolate Drops. They’re perhaps best known for their cover of “Hit ‘Em Up Style,” but the americana trio is more than just a novelty cover. Though the instruments are untraditional to what the typical guitar-based band, this act is all about the traditions: water jugs, fiddle and banjo. It was a fun lesson for what really is American’s musical history. But, of course, the fun cover made this set perfect.

Gentleman Auction House was another act representing St. Louis. Two drummers, two keyboardists and the enrichment of brass. St. Louis bands aren’t afraid to break out a little pomp to boost the volume of their sets.

Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons continued the trend of delivering feel good Americana songs, unfortunately, with such stand up acts before them, they didn’t stand out quite as much as they usually would have.

Fruit Bats continued the festival’s trend of delivering feel good folk music over on the Yellow Stage. It was a bit more lively than the preceding set and got people moving.

Alejandro Escovedo was an artist that I hadn’t really heard, but had heard a lot about. Everything from “classic” to “best guitarist” ever were some of the excited boasts I had heard. However, while the music was good, it was too laid back to really take a grip. Perhaps Alejandro was just a little overhyped.

Jeff Tweedy might be St. Louis’ favorite son. Actually, earlier that day, the mayor had proclaimed that day “Jeff Tweedy Day,” to which Tweedy responded in true rebellious son fashion, “That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard.” The Wilco front man appeared without his usual band mates, but that didn’t stop him from performing the Wilco hits with his acoustic guitar. This set really was a treat for the Tweedy/Wilco fan, but for first time listeners, they might have had a hard time getting into – be patient, keep giving the music a chance and start with Wilco recordings before returning to the solo stuff would be my advice to those people.

Jeff Tweedy

She & Him closed off the weekend, but honestly, I could have done with an encore performance from Broken Social Scene. Sure Zooey is the band crush of many, but she didn’t really engage with the audience. M. Ward tried and I have to admit, I liked his songs about more for their rocking edge. I really enjoyed the cover of “Roll Over Beethoven,” that they closed with. But with how much praise this indie duo gets, I have to say that it was a bit of a letdown to see them deliver their set with lackluster energy and then short the audience of 20 minutes of performance with an early departure. Bring back BSS, please!

Though I found some of the 2nd day a bit more dry in the quality of performance, LouFest still did a great job and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for next year.

At KRBZ 96.5 the Buzz’s “Kegs and Eggs” on Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at 9 a.m. at the Firefly Lounge in Westport in Kansas City, MO, the Airborne Toxic Event perform an acoustic cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”

In this third and final installment of my three-part interview with Friendly Fires‘s Edd Gibson (guitar) and Ed Macfarlane (vocals/synths/bass), we turn to weightier issues. I get suggestions from the boys on what to pick up at the record shop round the corner. We get into a deep philosophical discussion about the state of American and English popular music and come to the surprising realization that we don’t listen to our countrymen as much as we probably should. And they look forward to their oh so little precious time off in the coming months they’ll have to record Friendly Fires’s album number two. Read on and enjoy.

Parts 1 and 2 of this interview are available here and here.

Mary Chang, PopWreckoning: So, what kind of music are you guys listening to now?
Ed Macfarlane, Friendly Fires: I’ve been listening to a band called Nomo, American band. I wish I knew more about them, they’re from the northern part of America. [Author's note: Nomo are from Ann Arbor, Michigan.]
MC: What kind of music is that?
EMac: It’s kind of Fela Kuti-inspired, it’s got like a jazzy feel to it. It might be Afrobeat, I dunno. I dunno know what proper Afrobeat is.
MC: It’s not like Vampire Weekend?
EMac: No, it’s not like Vampire Weekend at all. It’s like quite jazzy meets postrock meets…but not Do May Say Think…more jazzy. If that makes any sense at all. The head guy plays an electric kalimba, which is like an African instrument with metal tongs. It’s like a thumb piano, but with a jack on the back. It’s full of hooks. It’s not like pretentious, arty noise. It’s got beautiful and interesting, really great trumpet and saxophone lines and is really engaging. It’s the perfect combination of artiness and actual catchy, interesting music.
Edd Gibson, Friendly Fires: Are there loads of them [about the number of members]? Do they have a brass section?
EMac: Yeah…about 10?
MC: Whoa, big band.

EMac: So, what are you listening to, Ed?
EG: A lot of hip, ambient, drony music. Yeah, a band called Seefeel, and Cocteau Twins, who I haven’t properly listened to them before but I’m just getting into them because when we signed with XL [Recordings], they’re part of the Beggars Group, so we got to raid their warehouse. Gather up all these old LPs, CDs. Going through all of that. Really incredible. So for me, it’s Seefeel and Cocteau Twins.
MC: Seefeel…are they an English band?
EG: No, they’re American. [Author's note: After a search on MySpace, I believe he's referring to an ambient band based in London.]
EMac: To be perfectly honest, we haven’t heard that much English music lately.
EG: Yeah, English music sucks at the moment. (Edd and Ed laugh)
MC: No, don’t say that. I don’t listen to much American music, just a lot of British radio.
EMac: (looks shocked) You’re missing out!
MC: It [American indie music] just never gets played on the radio.
EG: What, English music? (puzzled)
MC: No, American indie music. Like the Airborne Toxic Event, they’re from L.A., and they’ve been to the Black Cat, all over America, all over the UK. They get played on 6music but they wouldn’t have a chance on local radio. And don’t get me started on local radio stations that have no DJs ands are just 7-hour continuous loops.
EMac: American indie bands, this is just a generalization, but I feel like they have less of a desire to sound poppy. Or popular. Whereas in England, it seems like lots of people are trying to write accessible, poppy music. Which is…there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that at all, but I think it means it’s harder for American bands to…I think Vampire Weekend was the last band to have penetrated the English market because their songs are very popular.
EG: And MGMT.
EMac: Yeah, MGMT. But then, their songs are really straight up pop melody and pop hooks. Anything remotely arty or that isn’t trying to be pop or poppy doesn’t really succeed in England. (turns to Edd for agreement) Is that true?
EG: Um, well yeah…I mean, you’re not going to get loads of artsy music [on British mainstream radio].
EMac: Not artsy music, but do you know what I mean, it’s got to be accessible and catchy and poppy in order for it to break in England. But that may apply to American music as well.

MC: I didn’t think Fleet Foxes would become so popular in England. But they did, and then the whole folk-rock-pop thing happened. They’re another band I first heard on British radio. They didn’t become popular in the U.S. until they were massive in Britain first.
EG: Yeah, they got loads of love in the broadsheet papers here and then middle-aged people started listening to them. Saying “Crosby, Stills, and Nash is cool again, but it’s got a different name!”
EMac: I was never a massive fan of Fleet Foxes, but when we were driving through middle America, surrounded by endless fields, someone put it [the Fleet Foxes album] on the soundsystem, and I thought, “now this works, now I get what this is all about.”
MC: Yeah, you might need the right scenery to go with the music.
EMac: The perfect soundtrack.
EG: Their EP was quite good too, but I thought the album was really boring. I think the new Grizzly Bear album is fucking amazing, I think it beats the shit out of that one. (chuckles) So, so beautiful.
EMac: The new Grizzly Bear sounds…”Two Weeks,” “While You Wait for the Others” – they sound like Beach Boys tracks.
EG: And they can pull it off live as well. I don’t know if Fleet Foxes can can do that. Hearing these harmonies live, really amazing.
EMac: It’s funny, I can’t really think of many English bands I listen to. I mean, I enjoy Foals live, but really, Foals sound like they’re a band emulating American bands. I feel like we kind of don’t emulate anyone. Or maybe a little bit. Maybe Do May Say Think in a post-rock sort of way?

MC: We’re almost to the end of May, heading into June and the rest of 2009. What are you most looking forward to doing the rest of the year?
EG: We’re playing Calvi on the Rocks, a festival in Corsica, which is really out of the way. It’s supposed to be one of the most idyllic places. That should be good!
EMac: (smiles broadly) The line-up is brilliant. All sorts of music we love. Good house music. Superpitcher‘s playing. James Murphy DJaying. It’ll be incredible!
MC: So a sort of Ibiza vibe?
EMac: Ah, a little bit, no…it’s kind of not as gross. (all laugh)
EG: (interjects) …unspoiled, untouched…
EMac: A little bit more classier, let’s say. You know, it’s French!
EG: If you take an amazing line-up that you’d be happy to see anywhere, and transport it to some otherworldly, beautiful place. Yeah! That’s what I imagine it to be like. I’ve never been to Corsica! (chuckles)
MC: That sounds like it’ll be a fun time.

EMac: I’m looking forward to finishing new songs, so we have some new material to play onstage. Yeah, that’s what I’m most looking forward to.
MC: Are we going to hear anything new tonight?
EMac: Not tonight, no.
EG: But the brass sections are new.
MC: I haven’t heard “Photobooth” live either.
EG: (puzzled) Have you not?
MC: No, you guys didn’t play that in D.C. [24 March, the first date on the "NME Presents" 2009 tour of North America]
EMac: (frowns, shakes head) That’s because we were made to support, when we were actually supposed to headline.
EG: (to Ed) No, in D.C., we were made to headline but were supposed to support. But they [White Lies] were in L.A or something…
MC: No, they were taping David Letterman in New York.
EMac: (to Edd) They were late, and so we had to support, and then they turned up, they came out.
EG: Oh yeah, you’re right.
EMac: Had we headlined, we would have played it. But, to be fair, we kind of changed “Photobooth” around and added brass to it, so I think it’s good you’re over here now to hear the new live version of it. It’s way better. (grins) But yeah, looking forward to having new songs done, and yeah, being able to have some fucking free time to write some music. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing live, but when you play live all the time, you’re like, you really want to write something new and interesting. A different part of the whole creative process of being in a band. If you’re not doing that creative element, you’ll go insane.
EG: It’ll be good to have another load of songs to choose the best from.
MC: Do you think you’ll be done with the new material before the end of the year?
EG/EMac: No, no way! (both laugh loudly)
MC: (laughs) Sorry, I don’t know what your time frame for finishing songs is!
EG: It’d be amazing if we could. It’s because we haven’t had a proper chance to sit down and do it. It took 2 years to do the first one. Hopefully this one won’t take as long…
EMac: I dunno, maybe 5 years to do the next one… (both laugh)

MC: When will you guys be able to get off the road and go home?
EMac: It doesn’t seem like we ever can! I mean next year, I think we’re booked through June.
EG: We’ve got definite chunks off between September until halfway through October. Towards the end of the year there’ll be patches of free time.
MC: Oh yeah…is it true you’re touring with Maxïmo Park in the fall?
EG: (nods) Yeah, in Germany. They’re huge over there.
EMac: It’s one of those things where it’s a good opportunity, and we get to play to lots of people and yeah, see if we can steal some fans. I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a massive fan of Maxïmo Park, but it was nice of them to ask us. So yeah, so we can to play to a lot more people than perhaps we would on our own.
EG: And people like that are bound to like what we do.
EMac: (laughs) Yeah, if they like them, I’m sure they’ll like us!

MC: Well guys, I think that’s all the questions I have. Is there anything else you’d like to say to America?
EG: (grins) Now I feel like I’m Bernie Mac. (attempts a lower-pitched voice) “Listen up America!”
EMac: But Bernie Mac’s dead though.
EG: Yeah, I dunno then…we love you America!
MC: (to Edd and Ed) Come back to America soon and often, please?
EG: Yeah, and America, keep coming to our shows, please! (smiles)

Author’s note: I’d like to thank Edd and Ed of Friendly Fires very much for taking a large chunk of time out of their day in Nottingham on 24 May for this candid interview and for being so gracious. You chaps are ace – best wishes to you all and cheers.

Three-part interview conducted and transcribed and gig photos in this post by: Mary Chang

Friendly Fires: website | myspace | Friendly Fires album review | Remix Monday: Friendly Fires “Skeleton Boy” | @ Black Cat, Washington D.C. | @ Dot to Dot Festival, Rock City, Nottingham, England | Dot to Dot Interview with: Edd Gibson and Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires (Part 1) | Dot to Dot Interview with: Edd Gibson and Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires (Part 2)

This Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-25, 2009) will again see Quincy, Washington’s beloved Sasquatch! Music Festival held at The Gorge. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, February 28th at 10AM (information below).

This year’s Sasquatch! line-up includes:
Jane’s Addiction (feat. all four original members), Kings of Leon, Nine Inch Nails, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Erykah Badu, The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, TV On The Radio, Animal Collective, Silversun Pickups, Bon Iver, Santogold, Of Montreal, Explosions In The Sky, DeVotchKa, Peter Bjorn & John, Gogol Bordello, M. Ward, The Avett Brothers, Doves, Calexico, Grizzly Bear, M83, Girl Talk, The Gaslight Anthem, The Walkmen, Chromeo (dj set), Deadmau5, Mugison, Sun Kil Moon, Airborne Toxic Event, Blitzen Trapper, Shearwater, BLK JKS, The Wrens, Tobacco, Monotonix, King Khan & The Shrines, St. Vincent, Passion Pit, John Vanderslice, Bishop Allen, Blind Pilot, AA Bondy, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Ra Ra Riot, The Dodos, Beach House, The Submarines, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, The Dutchess & The Duke, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, Dent May & His Magnificent Ukelele, Fences, School of Seven Bells, Death Vessel, Horse Feathers, Hockey, The Pica Beats, Loch Lomond & more to come!

The festival’s comedy line-up includes Zach Galifiankas, Demetri Martin, Tim & Eric Awesome Show Great Job, Todd Barry, Jon Benjamin, God’s Pottery, People’s Republic of Komedy & more.

The festival, now in its eighth and most ambitious year yet, has evolved from a unique, homegrown & low key fest into a full blown three day extravaganza. A festival-goer’s dream, it comes complete with camp-outs, canyons, sunsets, three stages and new this year, an expanded comedy and dance music tent. The tent will feature performances from comedians throughout the day, and then come dusk, will spotlight electronic and dance music artists.

For the third year in a row, the Sasquatch! Music Festival teams up with Esurance and Sustainable Energy Partners to bring you a carbon neutral music festival. By increasing sustainable practices at the Gorge, including an expanded recycling program, eco-friendly signage, and energy efficient lighting (to name a few), we are able reduce our overall carbon footprint at the venue. The rest of the calculated carbon emissions – fuel consumption by all those who travel to the event and energy used during the festival – are then offset through investments in carbon reduction programs, such as methane capture projects in the Pacific Northwest.

Beginning February 28th (on sale weekend only):
A discounted 3 DAY FESTIVAL PASS is available for a very limited time / $154.50
Offer ends Sunday, March 1st at midnight.
Single tickets, per day / $56.50

Beginning March 2nd:
3 day pass / $199.50
Single tickets, per day / $66.50

Beginning May 11th:
3 day pass / $229.50
Single tickets, per day / $76.50

V.I.P. package tickets with special amenities also available.

Tickets go on sale Saturday February 28th at 10AM and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, sasquatchfestival.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone in Seattle (206) 628-0888, in Oregon (503) 224-4400, and in Eastern Washington (509) 735-0500

Camping is available for May 22, 23, 24, 25 and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com. For more details, directions and further information on camping at The Gorge Amphitheatre go to sasquatchfestival.com.

Sasquatch! Music Festival: website

Apparently the last time we reviewed Jack’s Mannequin, which was complete with pictures of Andrew McMahon‘s fresh ‘stache, we caused one of the worst days of his life. No, seriously, he actually said this during a pre-show set for the radio station, 96.5 The Buzz. Well, Andrew, no worries, this show review of the Night the Buzz Stole Christmas won’t call you a porn star again. Besides, McMahon’s just sporting a little grizzle right now, so that really isn’t enough to start any gossip. I guess we’ll just have to focus on the music for this review.

Since this was a radio show, there was a bit more of Everything in Transit than what has been done at other shows on the recent Hammers and Strings Tour. There were also more paper planes than what have been at recent shows. Perhaps, McMahon’s been getting into M.I.A. lately and this has created an urge to throw paper.

Kicking off with “Crashin” followed by “The Mixed Tape” it was clear that the band already had the crowd fired up. With their high energy, the crowd channeled it toward singing “Fuck Yeah” boisterously on “Holiday From Real”.

McMahon slowed things down for “Annie, Use Your Telescope”, a song he describes as “pure sex.” I must admit as he solidly held “oooh” in the word “scope,” that it was a little sexy. Following this number was “Spinning”, which just isn’t the same without Stacy Clark on backing vocals. Although, Bobby Raw really rocks the guitar on it live.

After all these new songs in a row, they went back to EIT and played “Kill the Messenger”. This is already an amazing song, but when McMahon went into the extended ending and started singing, “I watched it pour. Poured on Kansas City,” followed by a new piano variation that effortlessly led into “Dark Blue”, it was pure gold. I love how McMahon does these variations, so that no matter what, there is always something new at a Jack’s Mannequin show.

The electronic “Bloodshot” came next and with the freedom to stomp around to this number, McMahon took advantage of his time away from the piano to reach out to the audience and climb on the piano. As I watched McMahon bounce around the stage, I almost missed that the rest of the band had started cleverly warping other melodies into the ending jam of this song. I believe I caught hints of “Kill the Messenger”, “Dark Blue” and “Crashin”.

After the last few more raucous numbers, the set took a more serious turn as the band described life on the road in “Hammers and Strings”. They followed with a “I’m Ready” and “Bruised”, both of which seemed a little off in the harmonies, and then finally came one of the most moving songs in the set: “Swim”. This is the song that helped McMahon get through his struggles with leukemia. As he poured his heart into this song, much to my dismay, a few crowd surfers sprang up. Crowd surfing is fine, but this song was simply not the time to do it. A mildly shrieky “The Resolution” fittingly followed “Swim”. Jack’s Mannequin closed the set with the upbeat “La La Lie”. There’s nothing like a little harmonica action to end a set.

They weren’t planning an encore with this being a radio show, but the crowd wasn’t finished with the band, so they came out and played a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire”. After the rocking “La La Lie”, this song seemed stripped and I would have almost guessed it to be acoustic if I didn’t see the plugged in electric guitars right in front of my face. They finally ended the show with both parts of “Made For Each Other”. As a fun bonus, a little cover of U2‘s “With or Without You” was mixed into “Pt 2: You Can Breathe”. Even with all these variation loops he throws at the crowd, people were singing along every step of the way. McMahon has crowd control down to a science. With a toss of yet another paper airplane, the show was over.

So, there was no moustache and, for the first time that I’ve seen them live, there was no Something Corporate cover, but it was still a fun time and a great sounding set.

In fact, I’d almost venture saying that with a sold out venue and the line up of Jack’s Mannequin, Eagles of Death Metal, Anberlin, The Gaslight Anthem and The Airborne Toxic Event, that this was the best The Night the Buzz Stole Christmas to date.

Set list:
Crashin
Mixed Tape
Holiday From Real
Annie Use Your Telescope
Spinning
Kill the Messenger
Dark Blue
Bloodshot
Hammers and Strings
I’m Ready
Bruised
Swim
The Resolution
La La Lie
\\
I’m on Fire (Bruce Springsteen)
Made for Each Other: Pt 1 MFEO / Pt 2 You Can Breathe (with a little U2 “With or Without You”)

Jack’s Mannequin: website | myspace | interview with: pt 1 | interview with: pt 2 | Glass Passenger review | Omaha show review

Written by: Bethany

Monolith Music Festival was just as busy and just as good on the second day, Sunday, Sept. 14. People started to come out a lot earlier for these acts. I had a long drive ahead of me, so I didn’t make it as late as the headliner Justice, but I still managed to catch a lot. Check out my pictures and reviews below. If you missed it, here is what I had to say about Saturday’s line-up: pt. I and pt. II.

2:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. Rosewood Thieves – Esurance Main Stage

I got to the venue in time to catch some of the Rosewood Thieves as they were finishing up their Dylan-esque folk rock set. I enjoyed the laid back jams I heard and wouldn’t mind giving trying to check them out another time.

2:45 P.M. to 3:15 P.M. Snowden – New Belgium Stage

After making the long trek up the stairs from the Esurance Main Stage to the New Belgium, I had the chance to catch my breath during Snowden‘s chill rock set. I really enjoyed grooving to their experimental rock, but what really caught my interest were the amazing bass lines and soulful harmonies of Corinne Lee.

3:00 P.M. to 3:45 P.M. Tokyo Police Club – Esurance Main Stage

Of all the bands at the festival, I must admit that Tokyo Police Club was the band I was most excited to see. This was partly because I really like their music, but also partly because they’ve canceled three shows that I’ve tried to see them at and I was finally getting to see them play live. The boys did not disappoint and put on an energetic set that had the audience clapping along. They all seemed genuinely pleased to be playing for the crowd and their enthusiasm was well-expressed in their music.

3:45 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. The Handsome Furs – New Belgium Stage

The Handsome Furs were one of those bands that I thought was really good, but maybe not as great as people are making them out to be. Denver was excited for this band because they’re not getting a visit from Wolf Parade on their upcoming tour, so I suppose this spin-off group sufficed. However, while they rocked musically, their stage show was a little dry.

4:30 P.M. to 5:10 P.M. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Woxy.com Stage

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson has been well-supported on this site by the other editors and writers and now I finally saw what the party was all about. MBAR and his supporting crew excellently swelled from mellow acoustic melodies to exploding indie rock anthems supported with big bass drums and guitar solos. MBAR treated the audience to a few new songs, which indicate the upcoming album should be amazing.

5:00 P.M. to 5:45 P.M. Tilly and The Wall – New Belgium Stage

Omaha represent! Tilly and the Wall are one of the best live groups you could possibly see. They play a series of songs that has everybody dancing whether they tap or not. One Omaha guy loves them so much he follows them around in fun outfits and Tilly even let him join them on stage. This was the first time I got to hear songs from O live and they sounded much better when accompanied by their live stage show than the recording was able to capture. My only regret about Tilly and the Wall was that I didn’t plan ahead and try to carpool to Monolith with them.

5:50 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. The Whigs – Woxy.com Stage

When I heard the Whigs on the radio, I wasn’t blown away. For the first song of their set, I still had yet to be blown away, but once the guys loosened up their Nirvana meets The Beatles music finally caught my attention. I especially loved when lead singer Parker Gispert kicked along with every clash of the cymbal.

5:45 P.M. to 6:45 P.M. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – Esurance Main Stage

I just caught a few songs of soulful singer Sharon Jones‘ set, but she definitely has a powerful voice that will get people grooving along. The highlight of her show was when she spotted Tilly and the Wall’s number one fan in the crowd and had security bring him on stage to dance with her.

6:30 P.M. to 7:15 P.M. The Kills – New Belgium Stage

There are just two members in the Kills, but they produce a sound as full as any band. This UK group is getting a lot of deserved buzz, but I suggest you catch them now before Alison Mosshart destroys her voice with her chain smoking.

7:15 P.M. to 8:15 P.M. Band of Horses – Esurance Main Stage

Band of Horses took to the main stage to play their easy rock tunes to a packed crowd that I was glad to see actually knew the words to more of their songs than what was in commercials like “Is There a Ghost.” I saw these guys a few years and loved the vocals, but was kind of bored by the stage show, which offered little more than what you could hear on a CD. However, these guys have come into their own and feel a lot more comfortable being on stage and it shows on their songs. This was a much improved set.

7:10 P.M. to 7:50 P.M. Does It Offend You, Yeah? – Woxy.com Stage

I wish I had gotten to this party sooner because I was forced to listen to the electronica songs of Does It Offend You, Yeah? from the hall as the played to an overflowing room of dancing bodies. Even from the hallway, they were a fun show to listen in on.

7:50 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. The Airborne Toxic Event – Gigbot Stage

So, you might have noticed that The Airborne Toxic Event‘s album’s reviews are slightly mixed, though we love it. However, one thing is for sure and that is that their stage show is phenomenal. While all the musicians are quite skilled, keyboardist and violinist Anna Bulbrook especially shined on stage as she climbed on amps and rocks, while playing the violin.

8:15 P.M. to 8:45 P.M. Paper Bird – Madeloud.com Acoustic Stage

Up in the rocky mountains, Colorado has been keeping a little secret, but I doubt they’ll be able to keep septet Paper Bird secret much longer. With bass, banjo, trombone and some of the prettiest harmonies of the weekend, it was hard to not to become endeared with this sweet group.

8:45 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. TV on the Radio – Esurance Main Stage

They almost didn’t make it. Van troubles in Utah threatened to keep the boys in TV on the Radio away. Rumors the entire day were that they were not going to make it, but TV on the Radio insisted they wouldn’t miss it for the world and the rented cars to speed through the mountains in. You have to admire a band that determined to not let their fans down. They barely got to the venue in time, but the drama of their drive and the lack of a warm-up did not seem to phase these boys as the ripped through a set of old and new material. The new album held up quite well next to the older songs.

Monolith Music Festival put together a great line-up of the finest indie acts. With five stages hosting one fine group after another, it is very hard to criticize any aspect of the festival. Although I wish more people had come for the entire weekend. In the future, a weekend with this solid of a line-up should be a sell out.

Monolith Music Festival: website | Sunday line-up | Saturday review pt. I | Saturday review pt. II

Photos and writing by: Bethany

The other day we strongly recommended checking out this year’s Monolith Festival held September 13th and 14th in Morrison, CO at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. We’ve already posted Saturday’s schedule and now you can check at the amazing line-up for Sunday posted below:

Esurance Main Stage
10:30 PM :: Justice
8:45 PM :: TV on the Radio
*7:15 PM :: Band of Horses
*5:45 PM :: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
4:15 PM :: The Avett Brothers
*3:15 PM :: Tokyo Police Club
2:00 PM :: The Rosewood Thieves
1:00 PM :: Fox 31 “Fox Rocks” Contest Winner

New Belgium Stage
9:45 PM :: CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy)
8:00 PM :: Akron/Family
*6:30 PM :: The Kills
*5:00 PM :: Tilly and the Wall
*3:45 PM :: The Cribs
*2:45 PM :: Snowden
1:45 PM :: Astra Moveo
12:45 PM :: The Elms

WOXY.com Stage @ Southwest Airlines Heart of the Rock Theatre
8:30 PM :: Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip
*7:10 PM :: Does It Offend You, Yeah?
*5:50 PM :: The Whigs
*4:30 PM :: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
3:10 PM :: Grampall Jookabox
2:00 PM :: Pomegranates
1:00 PM :: Jukebox the Ghost

Rock Room Stage
9:10 PM :: The Giraffes
*7:50 PM :: Airborne Toxic Event
6:30 PM :: Chester French
5:10 PM :: Hearts of Palm
3:50 PM :: Moonspeed
2:30 PM :: American Bang
1:30 PM :: The Chain Gang of 1974

MadeLoud.com Acoustic Stage
10:00 PM :: Dave Beegle
8:15 PM :: Paper Bird
6:45 PM :: The Wheel
5:15 PM :: Joshua Novak
4:00 PM :: Lynsey Smith
2:45 PM :: David Moore
1:15 PM :: Alyse Black
12:30 PM :: Miles Nielson

Monolith Festival: website | customize schedule | buy tickets

*recommended sets!