Unfortunately, I couldn't stay long as I rushed over to see the overlapping set by folk trio Be Good Tanyas. Currently on their quasi-reunion tour, the trio performed their old and recent hits, including the not-so-optimistic "Waiting Around to Die" and the new(ish) song "September Field." The three ladies were obviously huge Neil Young fans as they repeatedly asked who in the audience caught his performance and even covered his song "For the Turnstiles." In another way, it was a double-reunion as two members are former San Francisco residents, a fact which got a big ovation from the crowd.
Portland, Oregon-based Portugal. The Man (the period is part of the band's name) brought a different flair to the festival with their positive and upbeat songs. "Work All Day" and "People Say" were crowd pleasers, especially after a few lucky people from the crowd were invited into the photo pit to get a closer view of the band.
I tried to catch the Alabama rock band Alabama Shakes at the Sutro stage, but I was forced to turn back after seeing the extremely crowded Sutro area. As a result, I retreated back to the main stage to see Explosions in the Sky and hear their ambient electronic tunes. Again, many lucky members of the crowd were invited into the photo pit, which excited the eager festivalgoers. Much of the band's music seemed like a blur as each song continuously flowed, one after another, until the set ended as unceremoniously as it began.
Many in the crowd were anxious to see The Kills perform at the main stage. A more moody rock set felt like the perfect accompanying follow-up, one that could get the audience into a darker, yet unagitated, frame of mind.
I was still traumatized by the crowd at the Sutro stage, so I decided to not see Norah Jones and instead catch Passion Pit. There was probably an equally large crowd at the Twin Peaks stage to see the Michael Angelakos-led electropop band perform the big hits from their first album Manners, including "The Reeling." But they were really eager to play some songs from their recently released sophomore album, Gossamer.
Article comments