The decade-old Music Fest Northwest, promising every year to be bigger and better, grew a day since 2009 (QRO recap), to become a five-day citywide extravaganza for 2010. While there are more days to take a shower with your festival wristband, the 2010 lineup lacks the cornucopia of choice-y acts, and the international flavor of its previous year. Everyone wants to see The National (QRO spotlight on). The last minute addition of The Smashing Pumpkins (QRO live review at a festival), added the much need spice to its mediocre stew. Other than few sure bets like Ra Ra Riot (QRO spotlight on), Okkervil River (QRO live review), Akron/Family (QRO photos), etc., this year’s MFNW is big on Northwest. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since this region has produced some of the finest acts in recent music history. But for Portland resident, it’d be nice to catch bands that one doesn’t have the luxury to see every few months.
On the September 8th, opening night, things started quietly. In keeping with Portland’s reputation, rain was in the forecast. While the grey clouds ominously hovered, rain came in an ephemeral mist. Still, the dreary weather must have been keeping people inside, as there were few cars and bicyclists on the road, on a cool summer evening.
Though the opening event was set at the biggest MFNW participating venue – the Crystal Ballroom, compared to last year’s very modest Berbati’s Pan (QRO MFNW 2009 Day One recap), it lacked the energy of its previous year. It was up to the one-man act, Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), a founding member of Animal Collective (QRO album review), to kick off the fest on a high note.
Unlike last year, the long line with waiting time of 45 minutes to 90 minutes to get in was non-existent. But I arrived ten minutes before the opening act. The bouncy wooden floor of Crystal rested, as the half-full room of poised crowd, stood around like they were waiting to get approved for unemployment.
Devonwho @ Crystal Ballroom
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At quarter to nine, a bearded guy in a grey sweatshirt, walked onto the stage. He introduced himself as Devonwho, and that he is a local. I’m sure most of the crowd was asking, “Devonwho – who?” With no info on the festival site, he is known as “the guy who’s opening for Panda Bear.”
Armed just with little Macbook, Devonwho churned out mid-tempo, electro pop -fuzz-gaze that failed to get the crowd going. At best, maybe he can be called poor man’s Ratatat (QRO live review). After the 45 prosaic minute set, the ‘adults’ in the room needed to get their alcohol fix, while others sought the opportunity to refuel their cannabis buzz.
Panda Bear @ Crystal Ballroom
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Panda Bear’s entrance was welcomed with a warm cheer, and sighs of relief. Looking ten years younger than his actual age of 32, Lennox exuded quietness. Minute against the abstract projections, the American who moved to Portugal, produced panoramic music that seemed impossible from just one modest looking man, with a guitar and a keyboard. Lennox’s soaring tenor filled every void in the venue, as he produced equally chamber-choir -like experimental sounds from his electronic sample boards. Panda Bear’s experimental soundscape mesmerized his fans, while some of the casual attendees seemed restless, failed to be part of the trance.
