Live Blog: Eaux Claires Day II (Saturday)
We will be reporting live from Eaux Claires IV fest as much as the cell reception allows. This post is for day 2, Sat, July 7th. Party on.
2:12 – later start today. Three nights of music and drinking catching up with these old bones.
2:14 – less excitement on the bus today with no chance of surprise headliners. Seems most people hace adjusted their expectations but are ready to enjoy another beautiful day of music.
2:31 – Mouse on Mars goofing around on drum tower. Sounds like…when they let all us mess around on the drum tower.
2:41 – walked into woods to Broder deep house, which melded into Iron Boys drums and singing, which melded into Gordi singing and playing guitar with Broder on electronics. Very cool. Crowd seems cofounded with abrupt shifts but digging genre-jumping.
2:43- Some unfortunate white bro dancing during Iron Boy drumming. Not your space, bros and woo girls.
2:47 – now Channy from Policia. The set is called Broder mixtape and it is that. One song per artist with Broder in the back. Amazing concept.
2:55 – Phoebe Bridgers covering “You Missed my Heart” by Mark Kozelek with Andrew Broder in the woods. Stunning.
3:12 – good crowd for Kevin Morby. The twangy alt-folk of “City Music” sounding good on sunny Saturday afternoon.
3:27 – wish there was more shade. Good chill vibes from Morby.
3:37 – found Shade. Enjoyed Morby’s jangly set.
3:52 – won a hat. Life is cool sometimes.
4:02 – Phobebe Bridgers on stage in the round. Sounds pristine, and don’t really know her, but not sure she can top emotive set earlier with Broder in the woods.
4:31 – found spot in shade for twitchy electronica of hrrrbek, which is Justin Vernon, et al in dumb masks playing brittle ambient on drum tower.
4:41 – that was 10 minutes I wouldn’t mind getting back. Now to see DJ SPinn again because he is awesome. Teklife!
4:51 – because corporate sponsors, I now am the very proud owner of a Vans branded bandana. Hope the checks were worth the selling out.
5:02 – S. Carey and friends are playing as “Riding Horses” in the woods. Wasn’t expecting much but sounds wondedful. Like if Beirut wanted to capute spirit of John Fahey.
5:14 – this is actually really beautiful. Pedal stedal, guitar, horns, two guitars and rustic charm. Good good good
5:22- charming take on “Tennesse Waltz” and other classics. As the sun trickle through the trees, thisbis like is like a time machine back.
5:32 – as Riding Horses close their set with a gentle Lucinda Williams cover, screeching noise intrudes from an adjacent stage. Again. Good planning > cool idea.
5:39 – free whiskey and beer tents up again. Let’s go!
5:44 – veggie wrap for the sustenance!
5:59 – Moses Sumney sounds good, but doesn’t land in afternoon sun to crowd who isn’t totally enaged.
6:07 – this set would have killed at the stage in the woods. Was this bad planning or not caring? Both?
6:28 – Sumney is an amazing artist. Not feeling able to get into this set.
6:46 – noname with full band. So so so good!
6:52 – “Diddy Bop,” one of my favorite songs of 2017, sounds amazing. Joyful and commanding set.
7:05 – noname is as charming as her LP would lead you to believe, and her band is a crack outfit keeping it in the pocket. One of the most effusive sets so far.
7:22 – noname was so good. such an amazing talent.
7:36 – Sharon Van Etten is fine, but is a white bread turkey sandwich. I can’t muster energy to care.
7:43 – “Nazeem” on the side is actually spank rock.
7:57 – sweaty, hands-in-the-air dance party. Pure bliss.
8:12- chaos in the most beautiful order. Spank Rock’s set was a primal scream on dancing and joy.
8:21- Phil Cook and Iron Boy playing at drum tower.
8:34 – Pussy Riot start with a slide show of anti-capitalist material. Haven’t seen the band yet while I’m waiting for beer, but love the spirit.
8:37- Jlin! The standout footwerk producer is laying down slinky, riotous beats. but it is a small, non-dancing crowd. Bummer. Another thing that seems on the wrong stage.
8:42 – this is first-class production. Jlin doesn’t mess around.
8:54 – this is a masterclass of production. Wish more people were here. Lots of gaps in schedule, why two femlae-fronted bands (Jlin + pussy riot) at exact same time?
9:02 – is Pussy Riot propaganda? Does it matter? I’m more offended by the glossy production, if I’m being honest.
9:09- Pussy Riot sound like edm.
9:14 – the band eggs on “Fuck Donald Trump” chants. Crowd obliges.
9:17 – they somehow are doing an encore.
9:22 – it is them dancing.
9:25 – they are done. There is a woman with a cape with christmas lights. #radical
9:45 the National in the round sounds amazing. Random musicians at island stages around stage. Really good.
10:01 – new songs sounding great.
10:14 – after a mix of old and new National, all of which sounded great, Chastity Brown joined the group onstage.
10:32 – the National joined by Sharon Van Ettem for new song “light years.”
10:43- this band is meant for this setting. Just outstanding
11 12- “People Mixtape” starting. Last chance to bring out big name this fest.
11:25 – so far the guests are psymun, s Carey, etc. Not big names.
11:30- this is a craven cash grab, but right now they are playing “I Shall Be Released,” which is gorgeous.
11:40 – TU dancers are great, music is solid, but this is self-indulgent bullshit from Justin Vernon. “Main stage” is half full and lots of people leaving. Jamming with your buddies isn’t radical, it’s selfish.
11:56- there was a rush of people to the side stage. Thought it was for cool artist, found out it was for free vans jacket. Sums up this whole festival.
12:02 – Justin still noodling with his friends. Crowd leaving. What a letdown.
12:13 – bus is silsnt on ride home. Literally zero energy or excitement. What a selfish and underwhelming end to the festival.