liberation weekend May 30 and 31

[nkotb]

Imo this is the band Baltimore should be freaking out about, not fucking turnstile.

Whoa did pinkshift ever deliver one of the best sets I’ve seen of late, the singer has a great voice and a total ball of energy the entire set.  And the band just rocks so hard, seems like they should be much bigger.

[Julian, Hyperpop SLUTFUCK]

Let the record reflect I agreed with the Holy Kosfather’s homily before others found it fashionable to do so. This sort of change agency could be effective in solving The Monte Carlo Crisis in a boots-on-the-ground role. I am not suggesting this, just many people are talking. There is a lot of talk.

[nkotb]

I only felt safe to post after you did

Let the record reflect I agreed with the Holy Kosfather’s homily before others found it fashionable to do so. This sort of change agency could be effective in solving The Monte Carlo Crisis in a boots-on-the-ground role. I am not suggesting this, just many people are talking. There is a lot of talk.

[Julian, Hyperpop SLUTFUCK]

I only felt safe to post after you did

Let the record reflect I agreed with the Holy Kosfather’s homily before others found it fashionable to do so. This sort of change agency could be effective in solving The Monte Carlo Crisis in a boots-on-the-ground role. I am not suggesting this, just many people are talking. There is a lot of talk.

My dream of the board church moving me to the Cote de Azur is ALSO nkotb’s dream that I go away forever.

Such synergy.

[kosmo vinyl]

So besides the pinkshift set, first night of the festival was solid fun

Had checked out Pop Music Fever Dream and was feeling indifferent about them, but with a bad ass rhythm section and lots of guitar antics they kicked things off perfectly

Was looking forward to Greg Freeman having enjoyed his album this week.  While a bit of that Neil Young like vocal was there, his songs reminded me a bit of the storytelling of the Drive  By Truckers.  Would totally go see him again with a full band. Audience was a bit to chatty during his set. 

Pretty Bitter a band clearly having a blast playing live, hard to fully describe their sound it’s a little of everything.  Their drummer was perhaps having a bit to much fun as nkotb’s favorite antics were on full display with much stick twirling and mugging. 


The Ophelia’s set was interesting if a bit ragged, likely not the best venue for them.

Enjoyed what I caught of Home Is Where, but I was running out of steam so left half way through.

No after party for me given a whole more night and possibly going down early for the locals show.

[Julian, Hyperpop SLUTFUCK]

So: we are not following V2 and you’re going to give sermons in Latin? Cool. Cool. Very cool. The boldness.

[kosmo vinyl]

I'm admittedly still buzzing about how great that Pinkshift set was, going into seeing them  I was already eager to see them live because while not what I would typically would listen repeatedly  their album is really great.  My thought during their set, was why aren't they doing this as headliners or as support in much larger venues.  Absolutely blown away...

thoughts on day two

Was able to get to the early locals showcase at DC9 and caught Berra, Massie and Pinky Lemon.  Massie was definitely my favorite set of the afternoon, just a band having fun cranking out punky power pop.  Been enjoying listening to Berra, but it seems like they are still working on playing live as band.  Only two fifths of Pinky Lemon were on hand so they were using pre-recorded backing tracks to supplement, although Miri Tyler joined on drums which livened it up towards the end.   Would like to see them with their full band as they have a great shoegaze/dreampop sound.

I scooted over to Black Cat and caught part of the Big Girl set who are fun female front group not afraid to bring the rock. 

Ted Leo sang a bunch of songs and props to him for being there as he just finished the Gang Of Four tour in San Diego

more ramblings to come...

[kosmo vinyl]

On to Downtown Boys who I can see why they are favored around these parts, as they brought the energy and fury to the festival.

To be fair regarding Speedy Ortiz, I'm feeling ambivalent about their set likely due to the fact that I suspect one has be fully onboard with them and I'm not there at the moment.  Anyways, shout out to the rhythm section especially to the drummer who did back to back sets as he's also a member of Downtown Boys. 

While it would have been great to see Bartees and his great band, it was a pleasure to see him do a solo acoustic set.  As often is the case with such sets we got additional insight into the song and how he feels that while he does music, he has tuned his guitar in front of thousands.  Even my favorite of his  "Heavy Heart" with that huge hook in the middle worked well acoustically.

I'm still processing what actually occurred during Asher White's set and to set the stage for that she started releasing music at 14 and at 26 has released 15 albums so far.  The set veered from twee pop songs to absolutely wild power trio rock.  Would appear the band is working out arrangements live at this point.  And obviously with 15 albums out there it's hard to know what was a normal set from her band would be like.

L'Rain closed out the Black Cat show to those who were sticking it out to the end. She is known for layering and looping of vocals So without her band she choose to create a soundtrack to an interview done with trans activist Cecilia Gentili.

Didn't make to the Saturday after party as the thought of having to stand for another 2.5 hours was daunting.  But, all reports indicate the closing Ekko Astral and friends set included a who who's of the DC indie scene and was quite the event to behold.

[kosmo vinyl]

All in all this old bag of bones had a great time at this festival, I learned about and saw many great groups.  Bought a bunch of merch and hope they raised a load of money for a great organization.

And speaking of merch, while they had this compilation CD for sale and it's also  on Bandcamp and features many of the DC bands at the festival. It's a benefit for supporting gender affirming care for trans youth at Whitman-Walker.

Plenty Happening: a DC Compilation

https://plentyhappening.bandcamp.com/album/plenty-happening-a-dc-compilation

[kosmo vinyl]

The organizers are reporting they raised 30K possibly upwards of 35K for Gender Liberation Movement

[hutch]

Grace Jones was so cool yesterday. Unbelievable actually.

I believe first time I heard an Argentine tango at Anthem. Clutch may have done an Argentine hard rock song.


The way Grace makes songs her own…wow..Nightclubbing, Warm leatherette and Private life (pretenders) were sweet and she sounded and looked like herself 45 years ago!! That was something….one hour intermission was a bit much as was her blowing off curfew but hey she is Grace Jones.

Also first Bond movie villain to play anthem. What an amazing life. She has done it all