Day one at Shaky Knees was everything you would want from the first day of a festival. Loud rock and roll. Wild costumes. Animated dancing. Everything was perfect. That said, the pre-party on Thursday with J. Roddy Walston was a heater. Check out our video of the first encore below. (It’s a bit loud, but wait for it. Around the two minute mark…)
The Front Bottoms
One chorus sums it up:
“…I was young, I thought I didn’t have to care about anyone;
But I’m older now and know that I should”
The thing that I love about the Front Bottoms is how raw they are. They’re not perfect, but neither is life. My friends complain about the vocals, or the seemingly meaningless lyrics, but they just don’t get it. A guy and his buddies are simply singing about the little things in life. All of the dumb sh*t they did when they were younger, the mistakes they made, and what they learned from them, can all be heard in the lyrics–but the music makes you feel it.
I’m a big fan of the Front Bottoms; in fact, Shaky Knees was my third time seeing them. But, while I wish I could tell you that they stole the festival, I can’t. They were just as flawed as any real fan would expect them to be. Voices cracked, notes were missed, and some people left for other shows. But, on the other hand, bass solos were plentiful, guitar riffs kicked ass (as to be expected), and real stories were told. That sounds about perfect to me.
Crystal Fighters
You: “What will you remember about Crystal Fighters?”
Me: “That’s easy–their balls.”
Crystal Fighters’ balls were all over the place on Friday. Some of them were huge, some of them were small, and a couple even hit me in the face.
If you were there you’d know that I’m talking about the beach balls they released into the crowd. It was a cool twist made even cooler by their own beachy-vibe. I, not necessarily on purpose, tend to judge a show based on the best moment. Did they, even if only for a fleeting instant, make me feel something?
You: “Did Crystal Fighters make you feel something?”
Me: “Yes; while at that show, I felt like myself.”
And that’s all we can ask for from a show, isn’t it?
Here’s a fan shot video from the set:
Jane’s Addiction
The anticipation was at a peak by the time Jane’s Addiction took the stage. Maybe for good reason. Dave Navarro can still shred and embodies a rock and roll guitarist. Strippers danced lightly around the stage, sometimes hanging upside down, sometimes making out with singer Perry Farrell, who also spent a decent amount of time interacting with the crowd.
Farrell(Speaking to a 4-5 year old on his father’s shoulders. The kid was wearing an old Mexican wrestling mask): I love wrestling. I love wrestlers. I want to wrestle you later. (A bit later) Is this the first time you’ve seen Jane’s Addiction?
Kid: Nodding yes
Farrell: Well, welcome to the family Mother F###er.
Foals
This was the first late night show we caught at Center Stage. Foals took the stage at midnight and for 50 minutes tore that building down. The first notes of Snake Oil shook so vibrantly that the dance party was like an explosion. It was hot and sweaty and perfect for both a late night show and for Foals to showcase their unrelenting talent. Highlights included “My Number,” “Inhaler” and “What Went Down.”
Snake Oil
Olympic Airways
My Number
Providence
Spanish Sahara
Red Socks
Pugie
Late Night
Birch Tree
Mountain at My Gates
Inhaler
What Went Down
