Here’s a couple of comments on each concert I saw. Good/bad, audience, etc.
THURSDAY
Les Claypool - Awesome live. Heard so much stuff about Claypool, about him being an awesome bassplayer, etc. We were a bit far in the back, but I think he was wearing a pig mask? Sheesh. Good stuff. I liked the more funky stuff he played, which was a couple of songs. Good introduction to the festival, for real. No pictures, though, because it was rainy and digital cameras + rain = upset Jen.
FRIDAY
Brett Dennen - went to the see these guys because my best friend had a song up on her MS page that I liked. Really the only reason. And I LOVED these guys. So chill, laidback, happy music. Gets you bopping, sing-a-longie, and all fronted by a guy that looks like Chuckie from Rugrats, all growed up. Their guitar player isn’t too shabby. I liked how he brought out the 
lap guitar and played it unobtrusively with the rest of the band. And the whole band was having a good time playing, which I think is really important. I’ve seen bands before where they all look pissed off that their there. These guys were happy, so the crowd was feeling good and not obnoxious, too. Definitely looking more into these guys.
Sam Bush - I read the artist info in the booklet, and Sam Bush sounded good. So we headed over there and were completely stoked. Good bluegrassy music. All these guys were rocking and rolling, too, total positive vibes from the whole stage. Sam was a talker, too, he talked to the audience a bit, which I like. Also checking these guys out.
The Wailers - I thought I saw these guys at Bonnaroo, and then I realized that I saw Ziggy Marley. Good classic reggae…and Matisyahu got on stage with them to sing ‘No Woman No Cry’, which was pretty awesome. Songs were a bit drawn out, though.
G. Love and Special Sauce - only saw these guys for a few minutes before we got bored and headed elsewhere. I think they are probably good listening electronically, but live…..bleh. Wasn’t digging it. It was so chill I didn’t want to watch shit. I just wanted to lay in a hammock. I’ve been wanting to see these guy live for some time, because I heard awesome things. And their on JJ’s record label, worth checking out, and I’ve heard their stuff before on some of JJ’s surf soundtracks. But….bleh.
311 - This was the surprise concert of the festival, like the White Stripes at the Roo last year. Never seen either live, and they both fucking rocked my socks off. I like 311, but I’m not a diehard fan who knows all their music. The crowd went nuts for these guys, and about 2 rows in front of me, there was even a mosh pit. I kept cringing every time a guy got thrown towards us. I didn’t know whether to hide behind Wade, or get in front of him. 311 was super energetic. Like, they have serious stamina, and try really hard to put on the best show. I fell in love with their bass player, because not only was he freaking cute and bit his tongue a lot, but he was wearing a black basketball shirt, big white basketball shorts, black socks, and big white sneakers. And he kept like jigging his feet around in a way that I found quite adorable. And his skills aren’t too bad, either. Had a good time here.
The Roots - came on 30 minutes late. After that, I didn’t really want to see them anymore, and the first song they opened with sucked, so we left. I had seen them at the Roo anyways, they were much better there.
Beastie Boys - I think Wade enjoyed this more than me, because he’s the fan, and I’m one mildly knows the Boys. The crowd at this show was the worst. It was like everyone was hopped up on the same crap that made them belligerent and nasty. I didn’t enjoy this show so much, because of the crowd, and I was super tired. According to Wade, they played a good mix of new and old stuff. They did Intergalactic and Sabotage, but did some of their jazzy stuff from Ill Communication and their new album.
SATURDAY
The Avett Brothers - got canceled. Stuck in a traffic jam.
Citizen Cope - chill music anyhow, so this made for a chill show. Not much energy here, but I had a good time. There were a lot more CC fans there than I expected. He played some new stuff, and some of his more popular songs. And honestly, I’m not even sure why he plays the guitar.
Ben Folds - we wanted to see but missed to go back to the camp and get changed into something warmer. Heard a bit here and there, but that was it. Damon will kill me.
Thievery Corporation - definitely one of the best shows the whole festival. Equipped with 3 different singers, 3 guys who sung and rapped, and a freaking belly dancer. Nice and loud, good crowd, and great combination of older stuff with new, groovy stuff we could dance to.
Matisyahu - huge crowd for this one, so we ended up chilling in the back. We didn’t stay for the whole show, because what we heard wasn’t what I was expecting, and by that, I thought the show would be more energetic, louder, etc.
REM - totally thought we were going to see REM, and we totally skipped on it. Wade realized that he pretty much didn’t like REM, and I wasn’t too bothered by it. I like REM, but I’m not a fan who has followed their music since the early 90’s or anything, so we headed back to camp and listened to them while eating tomato soup. The first thing we heard was Michael Stipe say “Children of Langerado….come to me!” Weird.
SUNDAY
Keller Williams - word of mouth had us check out Keller Williams. I guess he’s impressive because he does all his music by himself, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his music is that great. I might have better luck listening to his studio stuff.
Minus the Bear - saw these guys by special request of a mutal friend of ours, who really digs these guys. The crowd here was mellow and really young, and the music was decent, but nothing to write home about.
Ani Di Franco - definitely an awesome way to end our Langerado experience. 
I told Wade beforehand that the crowd here was going to be a horde of women, ecstatic to see Ani in all her super-woman splendor, and he was still surprised. There was tons of women there in skirts, short hair, pink hair, dreads, etc, all dancing around like fairies (I quote Wade) and going wild and singing EVERY single lyric to all the songs she played. Not only did I enjoy the songs I knew, but Ani played some new ones, about Hurricane Katrina, being a mum, and being happy, that were super fun and thoughtful. Makes me want to break out my Ani tracks all over again. Crowd here was great. Happy women, and lots of kids, here, too. I danced around the most at this concert compared to the rest, and had an awesome time. Rode out of Langerado on a feminist high, which is always good times.
Langerado Photos Slideshow (Opens in New Window)
Beastie Boys - Electric Worm [3:16m]: Play in Popup | Download (700) Thievery Corporation - Revolution Solution (feat Perry Farrell) [3:42m]: Play in Popup | Download
posted by Jen | 03.10.08 | 12:27 pm | 3 Comments
Filed under: Concert, Concert Review, Festival, U.S. 
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