For the third year in a row Filter Magazine brought new ‘world’ music to Los Angeles. Bands got a chance to mingle and mix with L.A.’s finest. The exposure and chance to play gave the audience a guarantee at seeing at every band’s best showing. For the last three years one has been able to run between the different venues, freely capturing the bands in a nicely created artistic environment.
Filter was really able to set a happy mood with this festival, amongst the fans and the band members. One saw most bands out in the crowd, running around checking out other acts. Just like the fans in the crowd. It’s always fun walking around hearing 20 different accents & trying to figure out, ‘Is this dude euro or just a really euro hipster?…’
The festival ran through multiple venues including The Echo, The Echoplex, Taix Lounge & Champagne Room, and Echo Park Methodist Church – each spot hosted a stage and the weekend ended with a block party in the always hip & fun Silver Lake. With so many acts playing it’s hard to catch it all. Some of the best acts were American Royalty (USA), John Talabot (Spain), Ewert and The Two Dragons (Estonia), School of Seven Bells (USA), Zola Jesus (USA), The Big Pink (U.K.), Breakestra (USA), Funky Soul DJs, and the lovely ladys of Icona Pop (Sweden).
The highlight of the weekend was headliner of Montreal. The psychedelic art rock was inspired by the greatness of there hero David Bowie. A colorful show matched the style & vibe that the music put out. Kevin Barnes is the lead singer & leader of his troops of art-rock misfits. Barnes looked amazing on stage and his guitar playing backed it up. Costumes galore a hour and a half long set of hits, of Montreal closed out the weekend & left you wanting more of Montreal. Which you got Sunday night as they closed out the festival and the block party. One of the best live bands around, a real show & must see. Filter & of Montreal put a exclamation mark on what’s turning out to be one of the best weekends every year. The world came to L.A.
-words & photos: Jesse Fulton
