I swore I’d gorge on something besides music at Bumbershoot 2013. Really, I did. But the lineup for all three days had me chucking those notions most of the time. Aside from a brief trip to Flatstock (customarily wonderful) and a stroll through some of the very cool art installations at the Fisher Pavilion, I mainly imbibed the music.
Day 1 Music Highlights:
The Best: Local funketeers Down North, who got my Bumbershoot ’13 off to a throw-down start with a ferocious instrumental attack and frontman Anthony Briscoe’s killer pipes; Gary Numan, bashing out old synth hits and newer industrial grind in glowering Rock God Mode; Thao Nguyen’s bent but pretty voice and ambling, beat-friendly indie folk with Thao and the Get Down Stay Down; !!!’s gawky, aggressive, and hard-partying disco-fied punk; The Physics‘ perfect blend of Thig’s and Monk’s wordplay, Justo’s potent beats, and a snapping live band; Kris Orlowski’s terrific set of new material, which cast that warm and raspy voice in an urgent, imaginative backdrop.
The Really Good: Charles Bradley, whose sandpaper soul voice sounded more ragged than usual (even on an off-day, though, The Screaming Eagle of Soul still broke hearts); Beat Connection, whose distinctive blend of electric and acoustic music had asses shaking without forcing audiences to disengage their brains in the process; Portland quartet Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside, all twangy swagger backing Ford’s wondrous alien-rockabilly yelp; Legendary saxophonist Maceo Parker’s classy, easy-grooving set of soul chestnuts.
The Rest: Canadian electro-pop whiz kid Diamond Rings‘ Pin-Up Boy charisma and engaging retro new wave tunes were undercut by a thin, indistinct singing voice; ZZ Ward sang the hell out of her Alicia Keys-meets-Melissa Etheridge pop songs, but damned if I could cozy up to any of ’em; Washed Out’s blend of earnest indie crooning and percussive electronics didn’t quite take off live for me; and electro-punk act Crystal Castles sorta felt like a lotta sound and fury (and flashing lights), signifying nothing.
Crap! I Missed It: Heart‘s reportedly transcendental Key Arena Mainstage performance; Sets by local hip hop figures Grynch and Nacho Picasso; The Total Experience Gospel Choir.
Stay Tuned for Music Rundowns of Bumbershoot 2013, Days 2 and 3, real soon-like…