Last year we missed the festival by a week while vacationing in Western Massachusetts, so we made it a priority this year to attend. Being an unabashed Wilco supporter over the years made this a no-brainer. When we rolled up via the provided shuttle buses on Friday evening, rain was threatening but it just looked like it might be a nice, cool June evening in the Berkshires. We poked around the grounds before the crowds came, popped into the on-site record store and bought the festival 7" (clear for those wondering). There was a DJ spinning immediately as you walked in, mostly playing jazz, funk and soul. Definitely trying to set a mood as you stepped onto the premises. Goose Island beer was on hand, with their Honker Ale and IPA. $5 a cup, though Langunita was there also selling their Wilco beer.
The first act to perform was Purling Hiss from Philly. Not bad. Power trio playing face-melting riffs with sustained feedback. I'd be interested in hearing what they sound like on record, but not enough to plunk down for the bevy of vinyl they had for sale. Pajama Club was up next, which is Neil Finn and his wife. They were incredible, which is to be expected with Neil Finn. I was actually surprised that they weren't more of a highlighted act, though I suppose that they were on the mainstage, and by that time people were hunkering down for Wilco. Still, it seemed that not a lot of people were digging them. The premise of the band is that the music they play was composed via late-night, drunken evenings with Neil and wife. It sounded anything by jammy. Very delightful, and I really wish that they'd plop the music down on a record.
Purling Hiss
Pajama ClubAnd then the rains came...in torrential buckets. John Hodgman and Justin Long came out and did a bit, which was only slightly funny. I don't think I've stood in rain that hard, and that sustained for that long. Yeah, it was fun to a certain extent. It made you feel like you were devoted, but then my underwear was getting soaked and that feeling quickly went away. Also, the people who brought small village-sized golf umbrellas needed to be dragged out and beaten. You know I love everyone, that's my thing. But honestly, it was a disturbance and an unfortunate one. Wilco blazed though, and night 1's stage set-up was really cool with these tied handkerchief thingamajigs hanging down that lit up. Also, since they were white and spaced out just so, they had images projected onto them, which made for an interesting switch-up from their normal routine. By the end of the evening, my wife had a mild case of hypothermia, and I was completely soaked and muddy.
Saturday morning came really fast, but we made it out to festival--this time braced for what would be another wet day. Didn't get to see Sarah Lee Gutherie, but more on her later. For most of the morning, the rains stayed away. In fact, during the Handsome Family's set we had to seek shade as the temps were rising quickly. I've loved the Handsome Family for a number of years, but this was my first time seeing them live. Love the dynamic and their kooky eccentricities definitely make their act work. As my friend put it, "they seem like they are so nonchalant about performing. If there weren't any mics there, they'd still be playing and talking like this". Pretty apt description. Nice moment was being able to recommend which records to buy to an elderly couple. I was going to wait around for their meet and greet, but they ran a little late and Liam Finn's set was starting. Oh well.
I'm actually surprised Liam Finn isn't a bigger star than he is. He's full of energy, his music is pop rock goodness, and he's the son of Neil Finn. His set was off the wall. First time for me seeing him live, though I've had about 3 prior chances. He had every single person in the crowd eating out of his hand. Glad I hadn't bought his 2nd record yet so I could buy it and get him to sign it via the meet and greet. Had a nice conversation with him about beards, surprise surprise.
The Handsome Family
Liam Finn
Here We Go Magic started playing right as the rains started again. We were all famished, so we didn't really hear much of their set. What I heard was good though, and a great selection for an afternoon. Unfortunately, what would've been great lounging music turned into not so good rain scattering music.
Here We Go MagicIt was at this point that we decided to go grab some beers, and sit in the car and drink while the rain passed over us. It lasted a lot longer than we expected, so we had more than a few beers. That's ok though, because the act I was waiting for came on right as the rains decided to let up. I've been a Sonic Youth fan for 15+ years now. I've yet to see Thurston solo though. Its been one of my regrets over the years, but it was finally righted on Saturday. Fresh off the release of Demolished Thoughts, TM and band were performing. It was absolutely gorgeous with a harpist, violinist, drummer and guitarist. Thurston switched between a 6-string Martin, 6-string Taylor, and a 12-string Martin. To anyone who thinks his guitar-prowess ends at the electric realm, it certainly doesn't. The man knows how to eek sounds out of a guitar with complete elegance. It was such a pleasure to watch him in this environment with likely a crowd who hadn't previously listened to him. That, and I got to meet him in a formal meet and greet. A little bizarre, and I tried not to be creepy.
We walked the grounds for awhile after that, and finally it was time for Wilco to play again. They had ripped down the handkerchief motif and switched it up to lampshades. Came in right at the tail-end of Syl Johnson and the Sweet Divines, which I kinda regret judging by what I did hear. Bummer. Wilco came on and in my opinion blew Friday's performance away. Highlights? Definitely hearing 5-6 new songs over both days. Live-wise it sounds like they were recording for Stiff Records, but we'll have to wait to see how the album actually sounds from the studio. Also, Sarah Lee Gutherie coming out and singing with Tweedy on 1 of the 2 (or 3?) songs from the Mermaid Ave. album. So good. The songs that I heard in their infancy of the The Wilco Album, are now fully-fledged members of their canon, and it shows. Those songs have been perfected and everything from Bull Black Nova to One Wing are just incredible. Another noted piece was during Hoodoo Voodoo Nels Cline and Pat Sansone having a guitar-off. Let's just say that Sansone can hold his own. I've seen him shred in a restrained way at gigs, but man, he was letting it loose on Saturday night. Wish they could've played all night.
How about Sunday? Yeah. That's a bummer. My wife and I are big The Band fans, so seeing Levon was a big deal on Sunday. Unfortunately, when we woke up and got our car packed out, and were ready to get on the road, a big warning light plopped up on the car's display. Basically, one that when you refer to the manual it says get to a mechanic immediately. We decided to chance it, only to get about a mile or two down the road and get freaked out about being stranded in Massachusetts. We made the executive decision that it'd be better to start home and chance it, rather than waiting until Monday morning when a mechanic/dealership opened. Luckily for us we made it the 7 hours home without any complications. It was a huge downer to look at the clock in the car at 4:30 and know Levon was going on stage. However, and maybe they were saving our feelings, some friends who were there said that Levon sang only one song and the rest of the time was just behind the drum kit.
So what are my thoughts on the festival? First, I hope they regroup and do this again next year. Despite the rain I think they sold a ton of tickets and I was happy to see a lot of locals out there who had no idea who Wilco or any of the bands even were. Secondly, this was one of the best run festivals I've ever been too. Security was there, but not overbearing. For a town with one road in, and out there was no traffic problems. Definitely kid-friendly with lots of activities for the little ones (kite making!), and there were places to kill time if you weren't exactly stoked about the acts on stage. The food vendors were varied enough that you didn't feel overdone on nachos, hot dogs and burgers. We had some incredible catfish po' boy sandwiches on Saturday afternoon. Sure they cost $10, but it was worth it. Loved the record store on-site as opposed to one conglomerated merch tent that you point to objects and they hand them to you. It was cool to flip through records, and to actually spend time looking at them. Finally, you are surrounded by beauty in the Berkshires. Can't ask for a nicer (in ideal weather) location.
Another thing that was great? The band members and other bands were actively checking out the other bands as part of the audience. During Liam's set I was standing next to Neil Finn, and Glenn Kotche and Nels were constantly out walking about.
Only qualm--the port-a-potties were out of the way which made making bathroom breaks not just something you had to do, but rather plan into yr schedule. But that was a minor inconvenience.
Overall a great experience despite our misfortune on Sunday and the rain. We got 2 solid days of music for a fair price, and had a great time at it.
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