Sunday, May. 25, 2008

Saturday's Sasquatch recap: Neither R.E.M. nor National back down

By Jeremy Dutton

GEORGE, Wash. — A great start to the Sasquatch festival overall.

Right after The New Pornographers finished their set with a ripping cover of ELO's "Don't Bring me Down," I was walking in to catch a little of M.I.A. when about three songs from the end of her set she stole the show for the day.

The international electronica star asked fans to hop the probably 4-foot-high fence and then climb on stage. Dozen after dozen streamed on stage until the massive platform was completely packed and turned into a makeshift dance party.

I had really underestimated the following M.I.A. has. The lower area of the Gorge was brimming with people bouncing in unison to the beat. I didn't see a rush like there was for her by any other artist that played. Not not Modest Mouse, not even R.E.M.

After M.I.A., I caught the National. Their delay made it so I could take in most of their set during a scheduling lull. Off the main stage, I don't think there was a better performance as the band was in great form. I had seen them the previous night and there was something missing, but on Saturday they pulled out their trademark slow build and played it out on every song.

Whether it was an opening that was dark and low like a Leonard Cohen song or an all-out Roger Daughtry-type screamer, they played so tight everything came out -- something a little harder to pull off in an outdoor venue.

Before R.E.M. took to the stage, that whole "paradise" weather thing threatened to blow up in my face. Honestly, not 10 minutes before they were set to come out the rain started to pour and the wind started howling, sending all of the light rigging swinging perilously over the stage.

But they came out anyway and blasted through "Living Well is the Best Revenge" off their new album "Accelerate." It kept raining, and a steady stream of Sqautchers headed for the doors. Then Michael Stipe decide to go barefoot after a crew of "towel people" dried off the stage.

The band was in top form, too, as they tackled the majority of their latest album and brought out a ton of old favorites including "Losing My Religion" (of course), "Orange Crush" (complete with bullhorn), "What's the Frequency Kenneth?," and "One I Love." It was an overtly political set, too. He explained the pointed message on a lot of Accelerate's songs and took time to praise Barack Obama and bash President Bush.

Stay tuned.