Sasquatch music festival diary (part 1)

The 2012 Sasquatch! Music Festival is over and I have returned to the real world. I am going to be putting out a lot of fun stuff in the next few days. I have a couple of fun interviews with Sasquatch bands Grouplove and Reptar, a story about a local artist who was seen performing everywhere at the Gorge and not just inside the venue walls, a full show review and a ton of awesome photos.

While I am working on putting that content together, I wanted to release my diary from the weekend. This is part 1 and will cover the first two days of the festival. Part 2 will be out tomorrow.

FRIDAY

5:05 p.m.

After spending way too much time in line trying to get into the parking lot and in the security line I am finally through the gates and at the Sasquatch stage to see Allen Stone. The Gorge is still relatively empty because the gates just opened and most people are getting setup in the camp ground but it doesn’t feel that way in the pit.

5:50 p.m.

Allen Stone just finished a great set. The early crowd loved it. I was about to head to another stage but got distracted by this platform that is erected in the pit at the main stage. It is taking up prime dancing real estate and nobody seems to know why.

6:48 p.m.

The nice people from 107.7 The End invited me into their acoustic tent for a private set with Blitzen Trapper. They were fantastic and I can’t wait to see their full set tomorrow.

8:11 p.m.

Spent 30 minutes at Santigold. She put on a great show with some pretty entertaining dancers and custome changes. A few songs in she pointed at some fans in the crowd and told them to come up on stage to dance with her.

Left Santigold and ran up to the Banana Shack to see STRFKR. The dance tent was packed and I even spotted a baby on her father’s shoulders wearing some bright pink noise-canceling headphones. It was a pretty awesome sight.

8:20 p.m.

Waiting for Girl Talk to start at the Sasquatch stage. Still not sure what this platform in the middle of the crowd is for, but now it is surrounded by security and there are turntables set up on top. Should be fun to see what happens next.

8:41 p.m.

Girl Talk is in full effect at the Sasquatch stage. He has members of the crowd dancing on stage with him, fireworks, and a pretty fantastic light show. High energy is an understatement. Greg Gillis (Girl Talk) is bouncing in place while making adjustments on his computers and occasionally taking the time to turn and dance with the fans he brought on stage. This is amazing.

10:10 p.m.

When Girl Talk ended, the crowd was starting to leave the pit when lights hit that platform in the middle of the crowd that I mentioned above. It takes me and everybody else a second to realize what’s happening and then it hits me. That’s Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

Macklemore standing on the rail around the platform with his arms in the air sporting a “LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE” tank top. The performed three songs during the intermission between Girl Talk and Pretty Lights.

This is the 11th year of the Sasquatch! Music Festival and the ninth I have attended. I have never seen a surprise like that. Very cool move. I wonder what they will do tomorrow.

10:33 p.m.

After all the dancing during Girl Talk, I’m ashamed to say I’m too tired to brave the pit during Pretty Lights. Watching from the grass as thousands throw their hands and glow sticks in the air, I am pretty jealous.

11:45 p.m.

Leaving the Gorge. What a first day. Maybe the best first day of Sasquatch ever. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the weekend holds.

SATURDAY

11:58 a.m.

Waiting for Reptar to kick off day 2. Really excited to see these guys.

12:50 p.m.

First time seeing Reptar was pretty great. Excited to interview them in a little bit.

2:44 p.m.

Interview with Reptar went really well. Singer Graham believes in aliens, and he and Keyboard player William both hate Kokanee beer.

3:55 p.m.

Just got done watching the Alabama Shakes. Wow. This band is going to be huge. They sound even better live. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them on the main stage in the next two years.

5:15 p.m.

Seattle rapper Sol just played the smallest stage in the venue in front of a packed crowd. There were fans climbing all over the stage trying to dance with Sol.

“I need everyone to take five steps back” Sol said to the crowd. The crowd had caused some problems with the sound gear, but the sound guys couldn’t fix the problem because they were too busy keeping fans off the stage.

What a great show. It’s only a matter of time before Sol is known all over.

6:15 p.m.

Vindication! Childish Gambino just rocked the Sasquatch stage like he had been there several times before. After seeing him live I feel so much better about all the times I have argued on his behalf. So much more than an actor trying to rap.

7:32 p.m.

Got to the Banana Shack just in time to catch the last two songs from Purity Ring. Bummed I didn’t see more of this set because what I did see was amazing. The Purity Ring hype is real.

8:30 p.m.

Just watched tUnE-yArDs. What an amazing show. I heard some new sounds and noises I didn’t know existed before this set.

10:00 p.m.

While waiting for Jack White to start, Seattle rocker Reignwolf decided to rock the lawn crowd at the Sasquatch stage with a surprise set.

I noticed there was a van parked next to the Easy Street booth and someone was climbing around on top of it. Then I saw the Reignwolf kickdrum light up and I knew it was on. A crowd quickly ran from the grass to surround the Easy Street van and booth as Reignwolf climbed around rocking on top of both.

He played two songs and it was amazing. This guy is on the verge. Just wait.

10:51 p.m.

Freezing while I watch Jack White perform. It’s pretty amazing though to hear Jack White play his solo songs, a little Raconteurs then go into the White Stripes hit “Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground.”

11:49 p.m.

Super tired and having a hard time believing this thing is only halfway over. Not sure where I’m going to get the energy for two more days of this.