Oh, Berbati’s! We have grown so close this past week during MusicFest NW. You sheltered me from the rain, you let me sit on your couch, you offered me a pen when I lost mine, you opened up your kitchen full of liquor, and even gave me a colorful stamp every time I walked through the door. But best of all, you let me listen to all your fabulous music. John Vanderslice and Beach House were a particular treat. I know you were a bit distracted and overwhelmed with all those kids running around inside you, so I’ll give you a recap:
Vanderslice started his set with “Too Much Time” - a heartbreak song about camping on the beach alone, walling yourself from happiness, and generally having too much freedom.
Driven by sober lyrics, rich poetic imagery, and an impressive use of metaphor, Vanderslice’s material is highly relatable; “Exodus Damage” being an apparent favorite as affirmed by the countless early twenty-something females lining the front row and mouthing every word with their eyes closed. I refrained from such behavior (and Oh, it was difficult!), but was nonetheless happy to see some genuine displays of emotion.
Soon the fresh-faced Vanderslice-adoring ladies dissipated and the crowd was transformed into a flock of tattooed thrift-store junkies (myself included) eager to see dream-pop stars Beach House. They began their set with a mesmerizing performance of “You Came to Me,” but only after an agonizingly long set-up and sound-check session, during which they positioned a giant white cloth triangle near the back of the stage. In fact, black and white stripes and triangle patterns appeared everywhere, surrounding the band like some optical illusion fortress.
Unfortunately, not until they played the upbeat “Master of None” (about five songs deep) did the crowd (and the band) recover from the grueling stage set-up, and finally a pair of eyes peeked out from behind a sheath of shaggy bangs and the somber faced Victoria Legrand addresses the audience: “Can anybody feel anything?” And after a few uninspired “woooooos,” Legrand responded, “I feel like a library book.”
Old and forgotten? Full of information and heavily circulated? I’m not sure. Either way, things livened up again and the crowd was amped. Well, except for the two guys behind me who left early, describing Beach House as “sleepy dance music.” Can’t win ‘em all, I suppose.
DOWNLOAD: Beach House - Gila (MP3) or Follow us for more Beach House MP3s (Twitter)
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
I’m dying to see him no better place than FETE!!
by Telly on Tue May 15, 2012 at 02.57 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Sound does matter. Viva Le Fete!
by Auquanetta on Tue May 15, 2012 at 01.13 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
YES! i MUST go to this show! i was just strollin down the street the other day and saw the poster! SO stoked they’ll be in town.
by Jaz on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.30 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Fete Forever!!
by Tabitha on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.08 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Congratulations and thank you to Fete for bringing talent to Providence! We needed this venue and vibe. Bless.
oh and I’d love to win tickets; its my boyfriends bday:D
by Ellen on Mon May 14, 2012 at 07.23 am from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
