The random dust clouds we've run into on I-76 make it feel like I've never left the backstage of Pitchfork. Is there a baseball diamond following us that I'm not aware of?
Also, in my half-awake state this morning I forgot to put on sunblock. I am deeply regretting this right now.
Quickly going over my RSS feeds and the big stories seem to be about the Phillies hitting their 10,000th loss and a 14 year old being shot over some road rage incident. Sad news. Wonder how John Street's enjoys learning about this on his iPhone. As a mere citizen without an ounce of political clout, I'm pretty bummed/annoyed about this. Look John, I know you can't do anything about the Phillies (really, who can?) but *try* and do something about the others.
you know, those were different times
I'm pretty certain I should be asleep right now, but I am kinda bummed that I lost an hour due to the time zone change about an hour ago. Yes, I am in the pretty flat but pretty expanse that is Indiana, rolling towards the east.
So, now that it's over, here is what I've learned: keep the bar low, very low, when it comes to expectations. Actually leave it on the ground. Way easier.
- Steve Malkmus busted out Pavement tunes, reminding of how much I loved Pavement, and how little I care for his solo career. I might have cried during "In the Mouth of A Desert" or "Trigger Cut". Bobby N came out to drum and slow dance, though not necessarily together.
- Have Of Montreal fans never seen drag queens? Transvestites? Dominatrixes? Apparently not. Who knew that in the Age of Paris, sex could still be shocking. That said, Maura and I both agree: Kevin Barnes has a nice ass.
- The dust from the baseball diamonds flying over the New Pornographers was so pretty.
- De La Soul... they may not had a record anyone's cared about in a loooong time, and have been performing the same set for, like, ever, but man. They do it so well. And busting out Taana Gardner's "Heartbeat" for a backing track... shit. Wow. That said, the most memorable aspect of their set (aside from the Prince Paul cameo) would have to be their "shout out" to the VIP section, which generated enormous boos from the audience. Class warfare, albeit of a hipster variety, lives on. That said, I think the VIP section was more concerned about the lack of free ice cream.
- The afterparty at Lumen was fun. That space looks like the future. I really should have gone back to my friend's apartment and slept, however.
the final stretch
Wow, I was sure in a crappy mood earlier! You know what cheered me up? Getting out of the hipster refugee camp that is the backstage and into the crowd. So I'm deffo feeling more up with people at the moment. However, if Jamie Lidell doesn't fucking stop, I'm going to throw up. Seriously, his music is making me physically ill.
the last & final day
I know, these reports have been half-assed and barely trickling in. I'm amazed by anyone covering this festival who has something to say, as it's been pretty dull so far. Even Dan Deacon's "stunt" of performing in the audience (which nearly caused the Fire Department to shut down the Balance stage) has barely registered with me. Am I too fucking jaded or not "insider" enough? Maybe both, maybe neither.
Then again, 2007's been a pretty blah year for music and it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that a music festival might follow suit. That's why I'm dreading Day 3 and it's zzz-inducing lineup.
In other news, I had my first real stabilizing moment of the day -- the Swedish Tease at Svea, a diner-like hole in the wall that serves Swedish foods even IKEA hasn't imported yet. Then I browsed Payless. Ah, retail therapy, thank you for providing me the strength to endure.
And lest you think I am pure hate (I'm really not), let me just say Yoko Ono's performance gave me goosebumps. GOOSEBUMPS. I was this close to crying, too. Worth the wait, but what was up with the infomercial at the beginning of her set?
Good thing I held off on posting this, because I totally took the Red Line with THURSTON MOORE!!!!!! Christ I can be such a fangirl sometimes.
overheard
"Gregg Foreman will always have stupid hair."
early evening update
I'm dying to know why there were security guards chasing Dan from Oxford Collapse after their set. (It was a good one too, even without the technical problems.)
MORE first world problems
The complimentary catering (chipotle burritos!) has reopened for the evening and the line is like, a mile long. No kidding,
Battles were the first great band of the day; about to see Professor Murder and Oxford Collapse!
day two early afternoon
Grizzly bear sounds great, but man has this been a snoozefest so far. Honestly, sitting on a bench and checking email is much more exciting. Also, everyone is very hungover.
the worst part about this festival...
...are the trains, or lack thereof. SEPTA is looking pretty good right now.
post-show party @ the hideout
So, somehow my ride to the Hideout was a limo?
sonic youth
Initially i was kind of bummed to not get a closer spot for sonic youth, but right now, im on a bench with limited view of the band and fireflies popping up around me -- whoa, Britt Daniel of Spoon just ambled by. I'm pretty certain I've died and gone to heaven.
Also, this VIP area is a different world.
GZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
slint
My first thought when i heard slint were playing was "i thought they had sold off their equipment after the reunion shows?"
if this were the case, then that would explain the delay at the start of their set -- maybe they were in their green room, arranging an equipment share with sonic youth?
national lampoon's pitchfork vacation
My traveling partner and I hit the road at 3PM Thursday. Here are some highlights:
- Driving on I-76, listening to Lizbot's show on WPRB. Awesome show, Liz! As she faded out, Eurhythmics' "Sweet Dreams" started breaking through.
- I must be pretty lucky, because we hit some pretty interesting radio along the way: the doo wop AM station outside Pittsburgh, old school dance (ie, laid back's "white horse") in *Indiana* at 4AM, and I'm forgetting one more. Sure there more Jesus stations than you could shake a stick at, but these made a very long drive go a little faster.
- Word to the wise: if Jon Solomon tells you about a Panera bread located on the Ohio Turnpike, it's the *third* stop in. However, it is closed at midnight.
So thats that. For the most part the drive was pretty painless, but that's the beauty of late night driving.
have arrived in chicago
Drove through the night. Got here at 730 am. Very tired.
Testing 1-2-3
....and now I can blog from the road. Beware.
Labels: management
