Editor’s Note: Our Zach Klassen was on hand at Sasquatch! this year. Here are his dispatches from the event.
DIIV
If I had any doubts about DIIV before, I now realize it is only because I hadn’t seen them live. Sure, most bands benefit from a live setting, as the tension from an audience can steer energy into different areas of the performance. But it’s rare to come across a band like DIIV who can channel that energy in such dynamic and sincere ways. From the first song on the Honda Bigfoot stage, the members of DIIV could be seen bouncing around and smiling, while the sound from the intertwining electric guitars carved out beautiful sonic narratives over the crowd. Simultaneously, each song was much faster than the originally recordings off Oshin, none feeling dragged or interminable. And the crowd repaid them, going nuts for hits like “How Long Have You Known”, “Follow” and “Sometime”. “We’re having too much fun,” said guitarist and front man Zachary Cole Smith, smiling. “Sorry.”
Earl Sweatshirt
Before Earl Sweatshirt really became a force in his own right, he may have been the least visible member of Odd Future. This is partly has to due to his mysterious disappearance to the Coral Reef Academy—a therapeutic retreat school for at-risk boys in Samoa—as the hip-hop collective was gaining traction in the main stream. But through that as well as the attention-gobbling bombast of Tyler, the Creator, Earl has built a significant following with his talent, a following that was very visible on Sunday at the Honda Bigfoot stage. As soon as he walked on stage, screams of “I love you Earl!” could be heard from the photographers pit to the very back of the lawn. “150 Molasses” a cut off his upcoming album Doris, absolutely killed, with everyone seemingly knowing the line, “I’ll fuck the freckles off your face, bitch.” With other groups’ stage set ups that boasted huge lights and stage decorations, it’s a wonder that all Earl had to do was walk out and collect eruptive applause.
Grimes
Earl Sweatshirt may have come close, but no one could fill the Honda Bigfoot stage like Grimes. I’m not even sure Vampire Weekend had as many people as Claire Boucher brought to the lawn on Sunday night. And, as she proved with her incredible set, this was not undeserved. Flanked by two back-up dancers, Grimes played tracks off her critically lauded album Visions, with nearly everyone in the audience dancing uncontrollably. All the hits were there, “Genesis”, “Eight”, “Oblivion” as well as electronic interludes that bound the whole damn thing together. Honestly, I’m still recovering.
CHVRCHES
Even with the rain pouring down on the sizeable Monday afternoon crowd at the Honda Bigfoot Stage, CHVRCHES seemed unfazed. After stepping onstage and graciously thanking the crowd, the UK triplet couldn’t help but compare the rain and green hills to their native land. “There’s fucking Scotland right over there,” said vocalist and keyboard player Martin Doherty, laughing. By the time CHVRCHES started playing “Recover,” the undeniable single of their recent EP, the rain was coming down even harder. However, the audience—now decked out in all manner of raingear and protective clothing—were dancing like it was the sunniest day of the festival.
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