This is going to be titled “The Cure Memorial List” since there is no mystery who my favorite band of the festival was.
1. Cold War Kids - I needed this one to be really good, because my expectation were sky high. The LA boys delivered.
2. The National - i’ve seen them twice already in the past 10 months, but this one was also special. They had a great set time during the sunset. Gorgeous music in a gorgeous setting.
3. Awesome - Hilarious, witty, theatrical, great musicianship. great local band that deserves more national attention.
4. R.E.M. - Michael Stipe and co. showed why they’ve been around for so long. Delivered amazing set, delving WAAAAY back into their catalog, and bravely played in the pouring rain.
5. Michael Franti and Spearhead - delivered the line of the fest, singing “There is life in this love and love in this life” over and over while the sun was setting in the Gorge. Amazing.
6. The New Pornographers (with Neko Case!!!) - I love the Canadian supergroup TNP, but i haven’t seen them with Neko Case before. She added her perfect sultry voice and slid right into the lineup like she’s always there.
7. Fleet Foxes - they’re bringing 3, 4, and 5 part harmonies back, along with a stage full of instruments and really bitchin’ beards.
8. Destroyer - Dan Bejar is a weird guy. Awesome, but weird.
9-76: Everybody else.
Disappointment of the Fest: Death Cab for Cutie. Their show was fine, but not really notable.
Band I Hadn’t Followed But Now Will: (tie) Fleet Foxes and Awesome.
Celebrity Sighting: Rainn Wilson (Dwight from NBC’s The Office)
