JMOC:
Favorite/best performance: I'll go with Rage. I thought it was a great show, plus I've never seen them; my neck is still sore from the headbanging. Also, this kid I saw dancing for the Nine Inch Nails show -- it was hysterical, I wish I had video.
Worst performance: Love and Rockets. I was listening far away for this show, but they did not impress me at all.
Biggest surprise: I would say Yeasayer. Didn't know much about them going in, but they rocked it. Plus they win for weirdest looking bassist, and the most stoned...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c8W3hcu2XQ
Biggest disappointment: The last two songs for Radiohead. Why did they turn off the sound in the back two sections? This was the headliner! I talked to some co-workers that were in the back of the crowd, they said they could hardly hear a thing for those last two songs.
Honorable mention: The visual effects NIN had on their stage the second half of the show. At first I was disappointed, but they definitely won me over by the end.
Zorm La:
Favorite performance: Gotta go to the National, blew me away how much better they make the songs sound live ... Radiohead was a great show (can they play a bad one?) but the bar is set so Bonnaroo high......
Worst performance: Bloc Party. Just can't do a stadium with a tin sound ... their first-album songs sound so much better than the second-album songs do live ... it's just too weird seeing a band play half a good set....
Biggest surprise: NIN. Had no idea what to expect, but they were GREAT. Great sound, great stage setup, great set. Even the slower instrumentals (which Jim Derogatis described as "meandering") worked because they served as chapter breaks for the whole set -- if you stayed for the majority of the set (which Derogatis did not). GREAT energy. HONORABLE MENTION: Flogging Molly. Awesome set from a band I knew about as well as my ass from my elbow. Will be checking out more.....
Biggest disappointment: Not being able to be at both Rage and Wilco. Had a great time -- really a perfect, chill Chicago night at Wilco. But Rage sounded, from all accounts, like they raged.
New discovered band: Booka Shade. Was on my way to MGMT, and Booka Shade were playing right next to MGMT. Told myself I would stay for a song -- was so blown away that i stayed the entire 20 minutes and missed all of MGMT. And I swear, HALF their crowd was people just like me, passing and then staying......
OD:
Favorite: Radiohead, even though I couldn't hear it as well as I would have liked. I don't think I stopped smiling through the entire show.
Best: Rage. I'm really glad I was talked out of leaving this when they kept stopping their set to keep people safe. The band wasn't rusty at all; they were totally rocking.
Biggest surprise: Yeasayer and Battles. I loved how Yeasayer translated to the outdoor setting and managed to put on a really kick-ass set without the benefit of a light show. Battles was just crazy, and it was really fun to watch each band member contribute something different, yet strangely cohesive. That drummer was intense; I loved the tall cymbal. Another surprise was seeing Slash playing guitar with Perry Ferrel on the Kids Stage. I was kind of far away and kept thinking "That kid that looks like Slash can really play!" Then I found out it really was Slash.
Biggest disappointment: The Sunday lineup, as a whole. I liked the National and NIN, but the rest was pretty weak. I was also once again disappointed by the Black Keys. I'm not the biggest fan of theirs to begin with and this show didn't help my opinion. I guess I can chalk some of it up to the sound issues. I just wish they'd mix things up a bit; all their songs sound the same to me.
Mickey:
Favorite/best performance: Radiohead. Between the light show, the setlist, the fireworks, and the crowd it was quite a production. 2nd Rage. Despite the stoppages I was quite impressed.
Worst performance: Okkervil River. I did only stay for the beginning, first five songs, but I definitely thought they sounded better on the album, and the lead singer really needs some practice with a microphone.
Biggest surprise: Yeasayer. I like the album but had moved on. Their performance was loud and impressive, even on a mainstage. Even their stage banter was better than I would have thought. I'm definitely giving the album another listen. Battles had their moments too.
Biggest disappointment: The sound on the Bud Light stage. Very inconsistent for a few acts that I saw there (Keys and NIN). Thought the PS3 stage had better sound most of the time.
Honorable mention: The crowds, for the amount of people and alcohol, I thought it was fairly orderly, no thanks to Lolla (long lines, no cold water, and so on).
Daniel Haas (Apehands)
Favorite/best performance: Favorite -- NIN (first time show, long overdue) Best -- Radiohead.
Worst performance: Any DJ tent that caused sound bleeding, especially during MGMT.
Biggest surprise: Wilco suits and new song.
Biggest disappointment: The National.
Honorable mention: Okkervil River.
JMOC: Flogging Molly are even better at smaller, indoor theaters. Crazy shows -- really intense.
ReplyDeleteEven though I haven't seen them live, I have to agree with OD's Black Keys thoughts. I have two of there albums, recorded 5 years apart & there is little difference in the structure or sound of the songs.
ReplyDeleteHeck, even my sounds has changed in 5 years; thanks whiskey, cigs & Trader Todds!