I mean, I am a fan of Spoon, but I've seen them three times (each show declining in quality). The one act I would genuinely like to see is Devendra Banhart. Ted Leo puts on a good show, but I have no real desire to see him again. And while I'm sure Destroyer and some of the other bands have fantastic moments on record, could you imagine standing and watching them play? All in a row? Outside in the middle of summer in Chicago? Just think, Jens Lekman, then the National, then the Mountain Goats, Destroyer, Yo La Tengo... I would need a gameboy, five Red Bulls and a bucket of speed to stay awake. This rings especially true in light of how last year's "mellow" acts at Intonation fared (not well).
That said, MoB is playing. I guarantee they will make up ear damage for all the "quiet" bands. We'll see who the next 23 artists are.
Continuing with Chi-town summer fests (a trend that I fully approve of), Intonation this year actually looks like it could potentially be a lot of fun. Day one would be worth going to for a chance to see Boredoms alone. A good festival set is usually a focused, short blast of all the artist's best music. Boredoms' tribal freak-outs, I imagine, would thrive in this (outdoor) setting.
The rest of day one, for not really having any bands I listen to regularly, looks like a good time. Lady Sov plays, of course, as well as Kano, Chromeo, High on Fire, Jose Gonzalez, and the Streets. Extremely varied line-up that could really be a unique festival experience (and I am available for editing brochures, if you're watching, Vice).
Day two has Panthers and Bloc Party, and I would like to see Annie (though I wouldn't expect much). They still have more artists to add so it could get better (fingers-crossed for Boredoms). Plus it's in June, a month that's a usually a bit cooler than the middle of July.
And lastly, the infamous 'palooza. Very conflicted about this one. The idea of seeing Kanye West, The Flaming Lips, Queens of the Stone Age, Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney, Broken Social Scene, The New Pornographers, The Secret Machines, Stars, Editors, Lady Sovereign, Feist, The Go! Team, Wolfmother, Hot Chip, and Be Your Own PET in three days is a bit mind-blowing.
But that means putting up not only with August heat, three days (!) of enduring festival conditions, and a high ticket price, but the music and fans of Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins, Matisyahu, Umphrey's McGee, Nickel Creek, Blues Traveler, Coheed And Cambria, Panic! At the Disco, The Disco Biscuits, She Wants Revenge, Reverend Horton Heat, Andrew Bird, Aqualung, The Subways, and even MORE terrible bands, many of which I would consider paying NOT to see.
Blah blah blah, I guess as of now I'm going to Intonation. Midwesterners (and foreigners too), which are you planning on attending? Why? How does that make you feel? Tell me about your mother.
2 comments:
I'm in full agreement with you on expecting pitchfork to have a snoozefest. I just wrote a similar post to yours the other day.
I'm actually in for all three fests at this point, the lollapalooza lineup was way too interesting for me to want to pass up even with Blues Traveler on the bill, and I'm just hoping for some better acts to be added to Pitchfork's fest.
If I get the chance this summer I'd go to Intonation, just b/c it seems like the more stable choice in the sense of performers and crowds.
Lollapalooza sounds too manic, but at the same time awesome. Shit if I could, when I start working for Frontgate Tickets again in this summer I'll ask if they need help for the festival up there. If it means getting in for free it would be totally worth it.
And how hot could it possibly get up there. I haven't been in a Chicago summer in a few years but it couldn't be as bad as what I had to experince down here for ACL Fest. 100+ degree weather for 3 days no clouds, no wind. Then went night fell it would be a dust storm b/c of all the dry dirt and dead plants.
I think you'll be ok.
And as for my mother. She hates white people, women, and the gays. You wouldn't be welcomed in her home
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