How does one write the beginning of a preview of this year's Sasquatch! Music Festival? There has to be a better way then just saying, "Grab you cameras, 'cause here comes a Sasquatch!" or "Is this a Sonics game? I thought I saw a gymnast in a furry suit running around somewhere," or "Got Sasquatch?" or "Don't give me that sass young lady, just give me a sass-QUATCH!!"
But that would all be pretty stupid. Some would even say worthy of restricting my imaginary status and ejection-seating me out of the imaginary world of html indie rock reviews. It would seem to me the result of having a very "twee" intellect.
So while struggling to write this at a kitchen table in Puyallup, I was lucky enough to have my girlfriend call from Richmond to see how I was doing with life back on the left side of the country. She was the editor-in-chief of The Flat Hat at the College of William and Mary last year, and she has a degree — with honors, mind you — in art history. That means she is a lot smarter than me. I asked for help.
"Hey Linds, how should I start a preview about the Sasquatch Festival?"
"With babies. Because everyone likes babies. And because they're cute and little. Plus, everybody likes them."
What????
That didn't help at all. But it was really late in Richmond when we were talking, so she was probably just really tired and talking nonsense.
But anyways, nonsense might as well work as a lead to the preview. (Thanks Linds)
The Sasquatch Festival was great last year, and I have no doubts that this year's will be excellent as well. Last year featured amazing sets by the likes of Northwest favorites like The Thermals, Maktub, Pedro the Lion, Neko Case, Modest Mouse… and Death Cab for Cutie debuted a new song, "The New Year," from their hit album "Transatlanticism" that didn't get released until Halloween time. The headliners were The Flaming Lips and Coldplay, the former of turned the Gorge into one gigantic fourth grade summer birthday party while the latter just kind of sucked. (They looped the acoustic guitar part to "Yellow" for crying out loud. Chris Martin, just play it yourself you pansy. And congratulations on the kid.)
This year's lineup is, in my humble music-snob opinion, even better. The only problem is, like last year, trying to decide what shows to miss on the main stage in order to run over and catch something on the side stage. Like, is it worth missing the Fruit Bats in order to see Harvey Danger? Do I want to see the Long Winters and sacrifice part of the New Pornographers' and Sleater-Kinney's sets? Decisions, decisions.
Anyways, I will be there, and shortly after the show I will be driving back to Seattle to make sure I am well-rested enough to see the Sasquatch After-Party at Neumo's, featuring The Shins and the Fruit Bats. You need to show a Sasquatch ticket stub at the door (and also be 21 years old and have 17 dollars.)
So for those of you that had the same problem as I did last year and weren't sure of the who was playing where and at what time until the day of the show when you were part of that crowd furiously writing down set times on arms with borrowed pens in front of the one posted schedule next to the fleet of portable toilets, here it is. (If you're looking for more of a preview, just know it will be awesome. Make sure you get there early enough, Aveo and the newly reunited Harvey Danger are well worth it.)
Main Stage:
Aveo: 12:15 – 1:00
Harvey Danger: 1:15 – 2:00
Visqueen: 2:15 – 3:00
Cat Power: 3:15 – 4:00
The New Pornographers: 4:15 – 5:00
Sleater-Kinney: 5:15 – 6:00
Built to Spill: 6:15 – 7:00
The Shins: 7:15 – 8:00
The Postal Service: 8:15 – 9:00
The Roots: 9:15 – 10:15
Thievery Corporation: 10:30 – 11:30
In between sets on the main stage you get to enjoy the music of DJ Cherry Canoe and the MC-ing of comedian David Cross.
Plaza (food area) Stage:
Apollo Sunshine: 11:45 – 12:30
Fruit Bats: 12:45 – 1:30
Ben Lee: 1:45 – 2:30
Preston School of Industry: 2:45 – 3:30
Alexi Murdoch: 3:45 – 4:30
The Long Winters: 4:45 – 5:30
Donavon Frankenreiter: 5:45 – 6:30
The Decemberists: 6:45 – 7:30
Gary Jules: 7:45 – 8:30
The Black Keys: 8:45 – 9:30
Enjoy it all.