It's been four days since Pitchfork, which is like 10 years in Internet-time. Oh it's all a hazy memory now awash in Goose Island IPA, barely jogged by these great photosets. Here's what I do recall from Saturday and Sunday, in list-icle form. - Samantha Vincenty
1. Ponytail won my annual "Band I need to see play indoors as soon as possible" award. BRING IT. Deafen me with your subfrequent vocalizations! Awesome.
2. Saturday's constant, circling airplane banner touting Esser's album reminded me of my high school graduation when Annika the Valedictorian's parents made a banner so large it took five people to hold it up saying ANNIKA IS A STAR with a picture of her as a little kid. Okay, we get it, I see it! I don't know if Annika or Esser winced at these banners but I sure did.
3. Pharoahe Monch's set reminded me that I have never ever in my life heard someone say at a hip hop show: "This is okay, but you know what would make it even better? A hype man."
4. A few people I talked to thought Yeasayer seemed a tad precious (I enjoyed Chris Keating's vaguely fey mannerisms, personally) but my fest buddies and I found their set to be the standout of the day.
5. Mew sounded terrible ten feet in front of the stage and INCREDIBLE way back by the beer stands and port-o-potties. Two other bands I suspect sounded much better standing in a different spot than I was, due to the all-over-the-place acoustics of the B Stage: Black Lips and Vivian Girls.
6. Every stranger I talked to all weekend was very nice, it should be noted.
7. I think DJ Rupture was a bold choice for one of the few dance acts of the weekend's lineup and I very much enjoyed him, as did the group of delightful be-dreadlocked hippie bike messenger types I danced next to. As for the rest of the crowd around us, I will never understand how folks can stand stock-still and watch a DJ.
8. Both times I have seen Beirut it was outdoors and both times I've felt that their sound was too delicate for the open air, but I'd like to hear from someone who was standing closer to the stage than I was.
9. I was told that seeing The Flaming Lips live would make me like them more, but I'm now officially so allergic to them I should start wearing an ID bracelet. To me they sound like the aural equivalent of a clammy flaccid wiener covered in confetti, just rollin' around in an inflatable bubble. It's chasing me, get it away from me! I officially Just Don't Get It but you know. Diff'rent strokes to rule the world.
10. Once again I have to commend Pitchfork's schedulers, this time for booking The Very Best as a great B stage alternative — a sentiment that seemed to be shared by the appreciative crowd they amassed.
What was your favorite Pitchfork performance?
Yup, I was in high school when "Transmissions" came out. I think "Turn It On" is just about the only song I can abide by them, actually...whereas "She Don't Use Jelly" makes me frantically search for an arsenic caplet to eat. Wayne Coyne's voice is the major problem.
Posted by: Samantha Vincenty | 07/24/2009 at 02:03 PM
Tie between Jesus Lizard and The Flaming Lips for me!
Out of curiosity, have you only listened to the stuff The Flaming Lips done since they became a trio? Or have you given the pre-1996 stuff a spin?
Posted by: tankboy | 07/24/2009 at 01:28 PM
If you find out where they are handing out those allergy bracelets, let me know...I don't get it either. Why does he need a bubble? Maybe he knows he is such a huge allergen and was trying to contain it?
Posted by: Toad734 | 07/24/2009 at 01:27 PM