Photo by Philip Cosores
Sasquatch Music Festival is ten-years old. And, over the course of the last ten years, you have probably heard the same things I have heard: that it is in the most beautiful of locations possible, that it is run seamlessly, that it is the most anticipated festival for people who go to a shit-ton of festivals. And, after Media Editor Erik Burg and I did some investigating at The Gorge Amphitheater, we have come to the conclusion that these assessments are pretty right on.
Of course, the festival is not without its drawbacks, the biggest being just how inaccessible of a location it is held at. The travel in and out can be grueling, but the payoff of being in the middle of nowhere in Washington is that you see stars and trees, and there is a general sense of camaraderie as no one (or at least very few) are true locals. And hell, the people who are locals are pretty damn nice, too. Never before at a festival have I encountered a security team and event staff that was so friendly, helpful, and committed to both doing a good job and being reasonable. These little things are instrumental in having a good time, and I think a lot of festival staffs forget that sometimes, that people are there to have fun.
For this ten-year party, Sasquatch expanded to four days and booked a pretty stacked lineup of top-to-bottom talent. Sure, there was a general lack of hip-hop, but, it was an indie and dance music fan’s paradise and we even got turned on to a few new bands. Over the next few posts, check out what Erik and I saw, heard, and experienced, and why we can’t wait until next year. Enjoy! – Philip Cosores
Friday
Death From Above 1979
Yeah, sure, there were other groups besides the mainstage one-two punch of Death From Above 1979 and Foo Fighters on the bill for Friday. But, after waiting a couple hours to get into the festival and setting up camp, the only two bands that really mattered would be the only ones we would see.
As far as the former goes, things got rowdy. Of course, not as rowdy as the last time we took them in at SXSW (you know, the show with the riots…), but still, by the end of the festival, the event security looked back at DFA as their moment to shine.
But, were they good? Well, yeah (duh!). Nothing DFA 1979-related will ever top seeing that first reunion show on a tiny bar patio with people literally busting down the door to get in, but the band undoubtably rocks and can rile up the largest of festival crowds. They can also seem a little one dimensional, but hell, that one dimension is pretty perfect for what it is. – Philip Cosores
Photo by Philip Cosores
Foo Fighters
Photo by Philip Cosores
In celebration of their Tenth anniversary, Sasquatch added an extra day to festivities in 2011, making Friday the first of four days. And although the schedule was fairly light throughout the day, the Foo Fighters closed the night with a fast-paced and energetic set, playing right into the hands of a crowd eager to start the weekend.
The two hour closing time slot gave the flannel-clad group plenty of time to highlight their rather illustrious career, opening with “Bridge Burning” and “Rope” off their new album Wasting Light, before lighting up the stage with their most popular tracks from their back catalog.
And say what you will about Foo Fighters, whether you’re a longtime fan or not particularly fond of their modern arena rock type sound, there were few patrons who left the grounds without a smile on their face Friday night. If there was one thing to take away from the show, it’s that Dave Grohl is one hell of a frontman; exciting the crowd as he strut from side to side and called for cheers as often as he strung his guitar. Their sound was crisp and loud, a combination that led to some great fan-led choruses on hits like “Learn to Fly,” “The Pretender” and “All My Life.” Friend of the band – and performer earlier in the day – Bob Mould came out to play guitar on “Dear Rosemary,” energizing Grohl as the two traded riffs on the new tune.
Photos by Philip Cosores
It was everything you could ask for from a headlining act: a perfectly executed set filled with songs new and old from a band that everybody at least respects, if not enjoys the hell out of. Grohl and company were the perfect start to Sasquatch, and well worth signing on for the extra day. – Erik Burg
