I made my way through the gates a little before noon, and wandered around by myself for a little, trying to figure out where everything was. I accidentally went to the wrong side of the park and heard a song from the Henry Clay People about “The Scene” or something and decided I had had enough of that. I eventually made my way to the Budweiser stage and caught up with my brother.
Manchester Orchestra started things off. For a 12:15 show to open up the weekend, they drew a pretty large crowd and from what I heard, did not disappoint. Their opener “Shake it Out” rocked as hard as any song I heard all day, and was one of the better songs I heard all weekend.
After a few songs, we made our way over to the BMI stage – the smallest stage from what I could tell – to check out Gringo Starr, a band I had heard a few bits and pieces from -- plus, how bad could a band called Gringo Starr be? Well, they ended up being mediocre and the few dozen people at the stage seemed to agree, so we took off after a couple forgettable songs.
Next up was The Knux, one of the only hip hop groups from a pitifully small selection of acts from a festival with a long tradition of high quality hip hop. These guys did not disappoint pumping out a high energy show that kept the crowd moving. Even though comparisons to some kind of west coast Outkast were way off, they kept the crowd moving from the jump. The highlight of the set came with their song “Cappuccino” – connecting with all the white people who wandered by, chanting the chorus “I need a fresh cappuccino with a mocha twist.” It ended up being one of the best sets of the weekend.
Buzzing off of the Knux’s set, we went to check out The Builders and the Butchers, a group that promised to offer a more folkish sound than any other act on the bill during the weekend – or at least any band that I planned to see. They were playing at the BMI stage where we had seen Gringo Starr a little earlier and after the first song it quickly became apparent that this stage was some kind of dead zone where the older people at the fest were coming to chill out and sip from their Camelpaks and down Bud Light Limes. The band sounded like they would be good in a different venue, but the sound quality of the stage was not right for a band that seemed like it needed a fine balance of its various components and leaned on involvement from a crowd that wasn’t awake enough to oblige. We only stayed for about three songs.
Next came Amazing Baby back at the Citi stage where we had watched the Knux. Again, I had no expectations. They played a mediocre U2-inspired rock for about 6 songs. They sounded good on the song “Headdress,” but for the most part didn’t do anything exceptionally well. Their lead singer also frantically spun the mic around by the cord for most of the show until he accidentally clocked himself in the face – easily the best part of their set.
After a little lunch break and a 20 minute wait to use the porta-potty, we went to see Ben Folds, an old favorite of mine, and I crossed my fingers hoping that he wouldn’t play anything post 2004. For the most part he obliged, but didn’t sound good at all – it seemed to be a combination of his voice being shot and some sound issues. He pandered to the crowd on a shitty-sounding version of “Bitches Ain’t Shit”, but made up with it via a decent-sounding “Kate.”
We ducked out a little early to get a spot for Crystal Castles, a band I was probably more intrigued to see than anything. They took the stage with a thumping set, and kept it up for the entire hour, playing one of the weekend’s better sets. Singer/drunken yelper Alice Glass entertained with various antics, and I left feeling like I had just been electrocuted while playing Nintendo… success.
At 6, the Decemberists played through Hazards of Love in a slightly above average set highlighted by “The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid”, more specifically female vocalist Shara Warden’s show-stopping bellow that perked up the crowd every time she let loose during a set that otherwise bordered on placidity.
We left a song or two early to see the beginning of the Of Montreal show. I’m still not exactly sure what I saw but at various times ninjas, balloons, dudes in leotards, and a chick with a mohawk paraded around the stage while some sort of weird clip art cartoon thing ran on the screen. Meanwhile, a pretty good musical performance took place, fittingly highlighted by a cover of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust-era “Moonage Daydream.” With or without the bizarre stage show, it was definitely the best performance of the day, and among the best of the entire festival.
Kings of Leon wrapped up day one with a set that pretty much met expectations. Based on the crowd response, they proved they are a top level act, but I left the slightest bit disappointed. They played all the songs I was hoping to hear, but I guess I’m just not as entertained by the arena-friendly sound their new album plays to. I was, however, happy to hear personal favorite “Slow Night, So Long” and a few other Aha Shake Heartbreak tracks, and lead singer Caleb Follwill’s voice was great as expected. Overall, not a bad set, but not spectacular either.
Slide show from the awesomely bizarre Of Montreal show:
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