Amazingly fun times were had by all this weekend as the second edition of the Popped! Festival reared its beautiful head over Philadelphia over the weekend. I traveled down on Saturday to catch the heart of the festival at the Drexel University campus where a fantastic variety of bands played on a sun-soaked, yet tolerable day.
Unlike Siren Festival where concert goers are forced to endure hours of standing on concrete with no shade and then transverse two stages, Popped! is confined to one stage and there is ample opportunities for relief with grass fields to lie down in and vegetation to shield yourself from the sun. Sure you have to pay to get in, but with that you get a line-up that goes beyond the indie white-boy Brooklyn bands aesthetic.
The first thing I think about the day was how it went by really fast and that at the end you're tired, but not exhausted like you are Siren. By the end of Siren, you just want to cower in a corner somewhere to sleep for two days. Again, the set-up of the grounds made it easier. It was just a pleasent experience, hardly any complaints at all.
Musically, as much I'm getting tied of 80s synth bands, I must admit that Crystal Castles were unreal -- a huge surprise for me. The music has no redeeming qualities, but the live show is a swift kick in the head.
For the next few days, I'll be posting a crap load of pictures from the day and insights on each act that only your favorite friendly neighbor blogger can provide.
I'll use this post as an index, so here are are some quick thoughts about each act that will eventually link to their posts.
- The Ting Tings: Making their Philly debut, the tired twosome played until midnight in Brooklyn's Southpaw, only to have head down the turnpike to open the festival at 1pm. Somebody give my buddies a break!
- Hoots & Hellmouth: The lone local act on the bill threw down some heavy country, foot-stomping tunes. Made me want to scream, "YEEEEE-HAAAWWWW"
- Mr. Lif: The veteran rapper blended right into the Philly rap scene with his funky rhymes and soul/jazz-infused beats.
- Dan Deacon: I only have this to say for now: I am renaming this blog, Dan Deacon At The Buffet Table.com. I will explain later and hopefully somebody can explain to me why he's popular.
- Gogol Bordello: The highpoint of the day for me. Even though they played a shorter set void of their usual antics, they are just a sight to witness.
- Crystal Castles: Again, a insane set, high energy with a fantastic rock chic at the center.
- Mates of State: It took eight years, but now this band is a known and respected act in the indie circle. I'm glad the casual music fan is coming around.
- Vampire Weekend: The main act for the day ... *sigh* where do I begin? Whatever I write will be the last time I bring up their name or the music. I'm over them.
god dude....you really are a total shithead
Posted by: joe | June 22, 2008 at 05:23 PM
forced, ha; ha, keep time! would it cost money you seem to beg! its free, knave. DONT GO!
Posted by: | June 22, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Crystal Castles was definitely amazing. I was pretty impressed.
Vampire Weekend was pretty good too. I feel like they try to live up to the whole "ivy-league prep" thing a bit too much though...
Posted by: April | June 22, 2008 at 08:16 PM
More like music wrongery. First of all, is Siren the only festival you have ever been to? Popped sucked. It was a massive rip off. The no-re-entry rule was ridiculous considering they wouldn't allow any food or beverages to be brought in, the stage was at the top of a small hill, making it near impossible to see anything if you were small, or lacking a press pass, there was no beer, and the overall demeanor of the crowd was terrible. I was embarrassed as a resident of Philadelphia that such notable artists traveled to play in an event set up so terribly. Dan Deacon's set was cut in half by bastardizing scheduling bullshit, and the obnoxious crowd, which I'm assuming was comprised of mostly 16 year olds, started a mosh pits without logical reason, particularly during crystal castles. This festival was everything that independent music shows in Philadelphia aren't.
P.S.
If you would really like someone to explain to you why Dan Deacon is popular I can do you that service.
Posted by: Juicebox | June 22, 2008 at 11:02 PM
what a snob!
Posted by: | June 23, 2008 at 01:18 AM
those are some funny @ss popped fest recaps.
hey everyone, he's entitled to his opinion. it is his blog.
Posted by: nghia | June 26, 2008 at 11:27 AM