MusicfestNW – 9/5-9/9
Show Reviews & Photos by Abby Williamson
School of Seven Bells
This year was my third MusicfestNW in a row, but my first time covering it for Back Beat Seattle. It’s an interesting festival, without food vendors, temporary stages and tents – well there are a few of those, but the majority of the festival takes place at all the venues we already love around Portland. And I love Portland, so what’s not to love about MFNW?
My MFNW started on Thursday, at Branx for a band called Stay Calm. At first, I wasn’t into it, but for the latter half of their set, the little trio sold it for me with their simple riffs and rock girl attitude.
Stay Calm
Quasi
I quickly headed over to the Hawthorne Theater, one of a few theaters completely out of the way in Portland. If I could show you a map of the venues throughout the city, it would look like a cluster of a bunch of little dots, which would be Burnside, and a bunch of scattered freckles. First at the Hawthorne was Quasi, which I enjoyed from the upstairs bar – but they definitely brought the energy for the crowd of sweaty moshers. But it got even sweatier for Lightning Bolt, which is a band difficult to put into words. I’ll just say that even I felt the need for some earplugs, and I listen to my music real loud.
Lightning Bolt
While my ears were ringing, I made my way over to Holocene for Tanlines, which would be the end of my evening. I love Tanlines so much, and was excited to see them again – but Holocene is one of the worst venues I’ve ever been to. It was way too small for Tanlines, the lighting was terrible, and its main floor is enclosed on all sides by walls with small doorways, making it impossible for anyone not within the immediate stage area to see the band. I didn’t go back to Holocene. Tanlines were great though!
Tanlines
Menomena
Friday got even better – beginning at Pioneer Courthouse Square in the sticky 91-degree weather. Menomena started off the set, as weird of a sight it was to see the band without Brent Knopf, it was a still a good one. It was two years ago when I saw Menomena for the first time at MFNW 2010. It was certainly bittersweet to see them again at MFNW, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Danny Seim and Justin Harris still got it, and Paul Alcott brought great energy on the keys. After Menomena, Beirut took the stage as the sun set and it was beautiful. It was just beautiful.
Beirut
Once Beirut finished, I followed my nose over to Voodoo Doughnuts – no – actually Ted’s at Berbati’s, which shares the building with Voodoo. How great is that? A club that will forever smell like doughnuts. My only complaint is how many times that place has changed their name and actual location, because it got confusing. I was there for Craft Spells, who was the most pleasant surprise of the festival, with their ’80s shoegazey pop and simple melodies.
Craft Spells
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart was the last band of the night, over at the Star Theater. The Star is the newest venue in town, I believe, and it was a perfect location for the adorable pop rock that is The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
