Sasquatch! 2013 Preview

While there are a few big music festivals in the south of North America in the spring, the festival season really only starts when the summer starts – that’s Memorial Day Weekend that starts summer, and Sasquatch! that starts the festival season.  The massive event takes place in the beautiful Gorge in George, Washington, over four full days, Friday-Monday, May 24 to 27th, with an incredible line-up from big-name headliners to the hippest of dance, hipsterest of indie, and much more:

FRIDAY, MAY 24th

Sasquatch! Stage Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, 10:30 PM – 12:00 AM With last year’s Wing$, Seattle’s Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (QRO photos at a festival) take on the holy grail of hip-hop, Air Jordan sneakers, making them ultra-revolutionaries in rap – and they’re locals returning to Sasquatch! for a second time (QRO photos at a festival).  Has anyone else ever rapped about thrift shops?…
Arctic Monkeys, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM If you’re unfamiliar with the Sheffield-native English rockers, you obviously were not paying much attention in 2006 when their much ballyhoo-ed debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am Not was being pumped out of every speaker and headphone either side of the Atlantic & more (QRO live review in Australia), thanks to an energetic MySpace fan base.  Fast-forward eight years.  MySpace is a shell of its former self, but the Arctic Monkeys (QRO photos at a festival) have put out three more studio albums, 2007’s Favorite Worst Nightmare (QRO review), 2009’s Humbug (QRO review), and 2011’s Suck It and See (QRO review) and although the media storm that surrounded them may have subsided, they’re still one of the best acts around.
Built To Spill, 7:10 PM – 7:55 PM Yes, the ‘biggest indie-rock band outta Boise, Idaho (QRO photos at a festival) is still around, still on Warner Bros., and still putting out new music (QRO live review), most recently 2009’s There Is No Enemy.  They’ve gained a second life on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival) – and have been moving up the festival food chain (QRO photos headlining a festival), coming to Sasquatch! for a third time (QRO photos at a festival).
Also: ScHoolboy Q & Ab-Soul, 6:05 PM – 6:50 PM Reignwolf, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM ZZ Ward, 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM – QRO photos
Honda Bigfoot Stage Vampire Weekend, 9:45 PM – 11:15 PM Overnight successes the world over should take a lesson from Vampire Weekend (QRO photos at a festival).  The band went from opening for the likes of White Rabbits (QRO live review, when Vampire Weekend opened) and Tokyo Police Club (QRO live review, when Vampire Weekend opened) in 2007 to massive success after they opened the following year with their self-titled debut. This, of course, earned them (QRO live review) legions of haters, often focusing on their preppy look & history, though others just grew enraged at the music from ‘the whitest band’ (according to stuffwhitepeoplelike blog) being called ‘afro-pop’, and the comparisons with Paul Simon’s iconic Graceland (QRO deluxe edition review).  They wisely slipped from view for a while, but returned to Jeff Curtin’s (QRO interview) Tree Fort Studios, faced up to the haters & the sophomore jinx to put out Contra (QRO review) in 2009, and reached #1 in the charts (only the twelfth independently-released record to do so in the last twenty years).  They’ve since grown comfortable as headliners and playing the big stage, even played Down Under (QRO live review in New Zealand).  Vampire Weekend return to Sasquatch! behind this year’s new Modern Vampires of the City.
Father John Misty, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM While a member of overrated folk outfit Fleet Foxes (QRO album review), guitarist Joshua Tillman found time to do his own solo stuff (QRO album review), but last year he moved to solo full-time as Father John Misty (QRO photos) with Fear Fun.
Japandroids, 6:05 PM – 7:05 PM Vancouver garage-rock guitar-and-drums (QRO photos at a festival) outfit Japandroids have moved from festivals up north to those in America (QRO photos at a festival) & Europe (QRO photos in Europe), and are one of the best guitar & drums duos out there (QRO photos at a festival), even at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).  They come just across the Cascadian border to Sasquatch! for second time, now behind last year’s amazing Celebration Rock (QRO review), which was QRO’s Album of 2012.
Also: Red Fang, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM Sea Wolf, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM – QRO live review
El Chupacabra Stage Baauer, 11:15 PM – 12:45 AM While Henry ‘Bauer’ Rodriguez has been producing bass & electro music for years now, he only recently got big-time notice with his meme-spawning “Harlem Shake”.  So expect the “Shake” at Sasquatch! (though QRO would prefer to return of the gone-too-soon Harlem Shakes – QRO spotlight on…).
Matthew Dear, 9:45 PM – 10:45 PM Matthew Dear (QRO photos) has already made his name as a DJ, but has recently taken the step up to full-fledged band with his Big Hands (QRO photos at a festival), out this year with Beams. Also: Four Color Zack, 7:45 PM – 9:15 PM
Yeti Stage Youth Lagoon, 8:30 PM – 9:45 PM Even Boise, Idaho’s got some lo-fi in the form of Trevor Powers, a.k.a. Youth Lagoon (QRO photos), who come to Sasquatch! before tour with The National (QRO photos at a National-curated festival).
Telekinesis, 7:15 PM – 8:00 PM Seattle’s Michael Benjamin Lerner is that rarest of items – a drummer/singer.  He keeps that up as Telekinesis (QRO photos at a festival), both on record such as 2011’s sophomore release 12 Desperate Straight Lines (QRO review) and this year’s Domarion (QRO review), and in a great live show (QRO photos).  And any drummer/singer has to recruit a great touring band – Lerner’s has featured Cody Votolato (QRO interview) of Jaguar Love (QRO spotlight on) and Eric Elbogen (QRO interview) of Say Hi (QRO spotlight on).  He comes to Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival) for a second time.
Also: Strand of Oaks, 6:10 PM – 6:55 PM Brothers From Another, 5:40 PM – 6:25 PM Erik Blood, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Cthulhu Stage Nach Picasso, 6:45 PM – 7:30 PM Jherek Bischoff, 5:05 PM – 5:50 PM Shelton Harris, 4:35 PM – 5:20 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 25th

Sasquatch! Stage Sigur Rós, 11:00 PM – 12:30 AM Hands down, Sigur Rós (QRO live review) is one of the best bands to come out of the ‘90s.  Few acts have emerged from that decade and been able to maintain even a career, let alone the longevity with grace and style that has been demonstrated by these boys from Iceland (QRO photos from literally the other side of the globe from Iceland).  Maybe that’s the big secret: they aren’t from America (QRO photos at a non-American festival). Their music is the definition of beauty and last year’s album Valtari (QRO review) was absolutely no exception.  It was their first in four years, after people thought that the band was finished – but they’ve already got their follow-up, Kveikur, coming out next month.  With their share of some of the best and most affecting music of their time, and a live show fuelled by a newfound vigor, Sigur Rós (QRO photos outdoors) is set to deliver one of the best performances of the festival.
The xx, 9:00 PM – 10:15 PM Almost overnight, south London’s The xx (QRO photos) went from little known to massive acclaim.  Even before debut record xx (QRO review) actually came out, the dark, post-punk revival act was garnering lots of attention (QRO photos at a festival).  They quickly jumped from opening (QRO live review) to headlining, as they were overshadowing the headliners.  They also saw Baria Qureshi depart (QRO photos with her), leaving them a three piece (QRO photos at a festival).  Certainly subdued, they are much better suited for nighttime (QRO photos at a festival) than at chattering rock clubs (QRO video), but have found a way to make it work outdoors (QRO live review outdoors) and at festivals (QRO photos at a festival), like Sasquatch! three years ago (QRO photos).  The group comes to Sasquatch! (QRO photos) behind last year’s highly anticipated follow-up, Coexist (QRO review).
Bloc Party, 7:25 PM – 8:25 PM Known for their ubiquitous single, “Banquet”, Bloc Party (QRO photos) is one of the few gems to come out of the post-punk revival in the early 2000’s.  The four-piece band (QRO photos) has become a household name within the U.K. region, and gaining fans in America (QRO photos), as well as nearby Canada (QRO photos in Canada).  They come back to Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s Four (QRO review) their follow-up to the so-so Intimacy (QRO review) & A Weekend In the City (QRO review), and the band’s first since singer Kele Okereke’s lame solo record, The Boxer (QRO review).
Andrew Bird, 5:55 PM – 6:55 PM Chicago multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird (QRO live review) plays everything from guitar to whistle, but is best known for his impressive violin work (QRO photos), which manages to be both timely and timeless (QRO photos) on such albums as Armchair Apocrypha (QRO review), Noble Beast, and last year’s Break It Yourself.  Bird (QRO photos) is a great addition for a festival (QRO photos outdoors).
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Riding into Sasquatch! are the veterans of the garage-road, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (QRO live review).  Originally hailing from California to the south, BRMC have since driven around the world (QRO live review overseas) with their signature sound.  And even if that sound hasn’t evolved greatly on records like this year’s Specter At the Feast (QRO review), 2010’s Beat the Devil’s Tattoo (QRO review), or 2007’s Baby 81 (QRO review), it’s still a strong sound from a strong band (QRO live review).
JJ Grey & Mofro, 3:10 PM – 4:10 PM A mix of nearly every strain of American music, JJ Grey & Mofro take blues, rock, soul, funk, and much more into a jam festival favorite.
Bombino, 2:05 PM – 2:50 PM From the vast Sahara comes guitarist Bombino (QRO mp3 review), who had to flee his native Niger more than once following rebellions by his Tuareg compatriots.  At one point, the government banned guitars among the Tuareg, as it was a symbol or rebellion.  But peace has more recently come to Niger (though not neighboring Mali, where the Tuareg seized half the country and declared independence, before being surpassed by Islamist militants, who were then driven out by French forces), which included a massive concert by Bombino.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM New Orleans’ Preservation Hall has been preserving the iconic city’s jazz tradition not just in the Big Easy but also around the world thanks to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who having been bringing Dixieland to other lands since the founding of the hall back in the sixties.
Honda Bigfoot Stage Empire of the Sun, 12:30 AM – 1:30 AM Australia has been doing very well in the international electro-dance scene, such as The Midnight Juggernauts (QRO spotlight on), Miami Horror (QRO spotlight on), and The Presets (see below), and one of the biggest is Luke Steele & Nick Littlemore (QRO photos) – a.k.a. Empire of the Sun (QRO photos at a festival), who burst out in 2008 with Walking On a Dream and “We Are the People” (QRO photos at a festival).
Tame Impala, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM From halfway around the world in Perth (QRO photos at a home), Western Australia (QRO photos at a hometown festival), comes the psychedelic rock of Tame Impala (QRO live review), touring off of 2011’s Innerspeaker (QRO review) & last year’s Lonerism, whose critical acclaim has won them fans across the world (QRO photos at a festival), and second appearance at Sasquatch!.
Divine Fits, 8:15 PM – 9:15 PM The term ‘super-group’ is bandied about way too often these days, but one act actually living up to it is Divine Fits (QRO photos at first official show).  Take Britt Daniel, the main man of excellent alt-rock outfit Spoon (QRO live review), add Dan Boeckner, one-half of the writing team behind Wolf Parade (QRO live review) and Handsome Furs (QRO live review), plus drummer Sam Brown of New Bomb Turks, and you’ve got A Thing Called Divine Fits (QRO review), who are ready to rock Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival).
Holy Ghost!, 6:50 PM – 7:50 PM Electro-pop duo Alex Frankel & Nick Millhiser (QRO photos) forms the up-and-coming Holy Ghost! (QRO live review), who have toured with LCD Soundsystem (QRO live review, on tour with Holy Ghost!) and Cut Copy (QRO live review with Holy Ghost!), and put out their self-titled debut (QRO review) in 2011.
Devendra Banhart, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Alt-folk singer/songwriter Devendra Banhart (QRO photos) has just been getting bigger & bigger, from dating Natalie Portman in 2008 to signing to major label WB/Reprise the following year & putting out What Will Be Will Be (QRO review).  Then he collaborated with the likes of Beck (QRO album review) on Life During Wartime soundtrack, and with Beck & James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem – QRO live review) for the audio-visual “Song 1” project at D.C.’s Hirshom Museum.  But he’s back to his own work (QRO photos at a festival) with this year’s independent release Mala (QRO review).
Michael Kiwanuka, 4:10 PM – 5:10 PM Compared to the likes of Otis Redding and Randy Newman, Michael Kiwanuka is an acclaimed soul musician known for his confessional and incantatory songwriting.  He released his debut album, Home Again, in March of last year.
Atlas Genius, 3:05 PM – 3:50 PM From Adelaide down under in Australia comes Atlas Genius (QRO photos).  Singer/guitarist Keith Jeffrey, backed by brothers Michael & Steven (QRO photos), made indie-waves even before debut When It Was Now (QRO review) came out, and have been serious road warriors this year (QRO photos).
Also: Robert DeLong, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival Bear Mountain, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
El Chupacabra Stage Laidback Luke, 12:00 AM – 1:30 AM Dutch DJ (though he was born in Manila) first became known for his graffiti work, before moving to the turntables, so expect visuals aplenty with your beats.
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, 10:30 PM – 11:30 PM If you don’t know anything else about this artist, check him out purely based on his two names: his band name, obviously, but also his actual name, Orlando Higginbottom.  Raised on classical music, Higginbottom has developed a quirky sound that mixes classical with elements of electro-pop and jungle, of all things.
John Talabot, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Have you ever checked out an artist from the Spanish Electronic genre?  No?  Then Barcelona’s John Talabot would be a good place to start. Having released only one album so far (2012’s Fin), he shows much promise in the way of longevity.
Yppah feat. Anomie Belle, 7:55 PM – 8:40 PM Joe Corrales Jr., a.k.a. Yppah, has an overwhelmingly uplifting tone to his music.  He has been in the electronic scene for a lot longer than most may realize, since 2006, in fact.  He likes his music to have a nostalgic feel and come on, who doesn’t like that?
Nick Offerman, 6:10 PM – 6:55 PM Having achieved most of his notoriety as the ultimate man’s man Ron Swanson on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Nick Offerman is on a quest to show that… actually to show that there’s not much difference between himself and his beloved television character.  Owning and operating his own woodshop and sporting his epic facial hair the entire time, he has become quite the force to be reckoned with.
Also: Kyle Kinane, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM Joe Mande, 4:20 PM – 5:05 PM
Yeti Stage Surfer Blood, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Shooting up very quickly in indie-circles has been West Palm Beach’s Surfer Blood (QRO live review), who were gaining tons of fans (QRO photos of a packed house) long before acclaimed debut Astro Coast (QRO review) finally hit the shelves (or whatever you say in today’s digital age…).  Surfer Blood (QRO photos at a festival) then signed to Warner Brothers, so at least one major label is hoping that they the first wave of a new ‘South Florida Invasion’ (QRO photos at home).  However, QRO called them way back when (QRO photos at a festival), before they played a million-and-one festivals (QRO photos outdoors at a festival).  They come to Sasquatch! for second time (QRO photos at a festival), in the run-up to next month’s release of Pythons.
Porcelain Raft, 7:40 PM – 8:40 PM Laptop-pop artist Mauro Remiddi (QRO live review) plays all of his own instruments, even live as Porcelain Raft (QRO photos at a festival).
Akron/Family, 6:20 PM – 7:20 PM From all over the country (QRO photos at a festival) comes the experimental Americana folk-rock of Akron/Family (QRO photos outdoors).
Caveman, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM Caveman (QRO photos at a festival) emerged out of one-half of the tricky to pigeonhole Subjects (QRO spotlight on) with last year’s similarly tough to categorize CoCo Beware (QRO review), but have settled down into an interesting haunt with this year’s self-titled follow-up (QRO review).
Also: Nancy & Beth, 4:10 PM – 4:55 PM Indians, 3:05 PM – 3:50 PM Suuns, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM – QRO photos at a festival Rose Windows, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Cthulhu Stage Knowmads, 3:10 PM – 3:55 PM Tilson Xoxo, 2:05 PM – 2:50 PM Ra Scion, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

SUNDAY, MAY 26th

Sasquatch! Stage Mumford & Sons, 11:00 PM – 12:30 AM London’s King’s College & St. Paul’s School are serving as something of the English alt-folk Wesleyan, seeing related acts hit it big.  First there was Noah & The Whale (QRO live review), with graduates of both, then Noah’s female vocalist Laura Marling (QRO live review) went out on her own.  But the biggest hit from there has to be fellow Marling collaborator Mumford & Sons (QRO live review).  Debut Sign No More saw them break through to the mainstream (QRO photos outdoors) with songs like “Little Lion Man”, and last year’s follow-up Babel (QRO review) hit number one on the charts (QRO photos) on both sides of the Atlantic (QRO photos at a European festival).  Oh, they’ve also done such feats as perform on the Grammys with Bob Dylan – and win album of the year at the most recent Grammys.  They also got a Grammy for their tour documentary Big Easy Express (QRO screening review), where they, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (see just below), and Old Crow Medicine Show toured the southwest by train – a railroad version of their ‘Gentlemen of the Road Stopover’ tours (QRO review).  And now Mumford & Sons (QRO live review) headline Sasquatch!, after playing much earlier in the day at the fest in 2010 (QRO photos).
Elvis Costello & The Imposters, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM What a wild ride it’s been for Elvis Costello (QRO album review), who’ll be back at the helm of one of the greatest bands of a generation.  Fronting the Imposters, the quirky-yet-enigmatic front man will be capping off an illustrious career – one that took Costello and his oversized glasses on a punk rock tear that’s lasted over three and a half decades; one that still continues to this day. He’s kicked the Beastie Boys off the Saturday Night Live stage, drunkenly fought Stephen Stills, and survived a poorly reported racism scandal, all the while very publicly idolizing George Jones.  He’s impossible to nail down, but one thing’s for sure: The world’s second-most famous Elvis embodies the phrase punk rock lives (QRO album review). Although the ‘90s may have mellowed him out – see co-writing sessions with Paul McCartney and guest staring on Frasier – Costello’s punk rock stature is unquestionable (QRO live review), and it’s exactly that kind of reputation that he’ll be bringing to Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival).
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, 7:10 PM – 8:10 PM Alex Ebert, former singer of Ima Robot (QRO interview), got a ton of buzz right after forming Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (QRO live review) – is it justified, or just PR hype (QRO spotlight on)?  Judge for yourself (QRO photos at a festival) – but watch out for him jumping into the crowd (QRO live review), like at Sasquatch! 2010 (QRO photos at a festival)!  They’re sharing the Sasquatch! Stage with friends/headliners Mumford & Sons (see just above), with whom they also shared the Big Easy Express tour & Grammy-winning documentary (QRO screening review), so expect some guest stars…
Dropkick Murphys, 5:40 PM – 6:40 PM Just as no town in America is as Irish as Boston, there’s no band more associated with today’s ‘Celtic Punk’ movement than Dropkick Murphys (QRO photos).  They play regular St. Patrick’s Day shows in Beantown – this year’s (QRO review) featured a guest appearance by Seal Team Six!  Of course the Irish-American experience stretches across the country (QRO live review), so expect it to work at Sasquatch! as the band (QRO photos) plays behind this year’s Signed and Sealed In Blood (QRO review) – just don’t wear a Yankees cap (or do a Nazi salute – the bassist clocked a guy doing that at their NYC stop…).
The Tallest Man On Earth, 4:20 PM – 5:20 PM There are a lot of alt-folk solo singer/songwriters out there these days. Sweden’s Kristian Matsson (QRO photos at a festival), a.k.a. The Tallest Man On Earth (QRO photos at a festival), first got notice for his Dylan-esque ways (QRO photos) when opening for fellow alt-folk solo singer/songwriter Justin Vernon, a.k.a. Bon Iver (QRO live review), but has since graduated to headliner (QRO photos as headliner) – and still operates solo (QRO photos), like at Sasquatch! 2010 (QRO photos).
Danny Brown, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM Detroit rapper Danny Brown earned serious critical acclaim in 2011 with XXX, SPIN’s hip-hop album of the year – and this summer he’ll be out with Old.
Youngblood Hawke, 2:10 PM – 2:55 PM Wow, have things blown up fast for Youngblood Hawke (QRO live review)!  On the back of basically one hit single, “We Come Running”, the band (QRO live review) was picked up by major label Universal for their just out Wake Up, but they (QRO photos) also bring a great live show (QRO photos) to Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival).
Also: Capital Cities, 1:05 PM – 1:50 PM – QRO photos at a festival
Honda Bigfoot Stage Primus, 12:00 AM – 1:30 AM Mixing alternative and funk in a Frizzle Fry sauce is Les Claypool’s (QRO interview) Primus (QRO spotlight on).  Fronted by one of the most acclaimed bassists out there today, Primus first came to widespread notice in the early nineties thanks to Sailing the Seas of Cheese (QRO live review) and Pork Soda, with songs like “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver”, “Tommy the Cat”, “My Name Is Mud”, and “Mr. Krinkle”, delivering a weird funk-driven rock sound akin to an accessible Residents (QRO live review).  Primus went on hiatus at the start of this century/millennium (after composing the theme to South Park), with Claypool working solo (QRO photos at a festival – and composed the theme to Robot Chicken), before reforming, first as nostalgia, but then with 2011’s new Green Naugahyde (QRO review), and have kept on going strong (QRO photos).  They come to Sasquatch! with their ‘3D’ show.
Grimes, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM Scandinavian singer/songstresses have been getting very hot in recent times, from Lykke Li (QRO album review) openers of hers like Oh Land (QRO album review) and now Grimes (QRO photos opening for Lykke Li) – though Grimes, a.k.a. Claire Boucher (QRO photos at a festival), is actually from Vancouver.  Still, her ethereal indie-pop on Visions (QRO review) certainly hews to the Scando-sound (QRO live review), and she’s just as pretty and charming as any Nordic (QRO photos at a festival).
Earl Sweatshirt, 8:15 PM – 9:00 PM The massive hip-hop collective Odd Future (QRO live review) keeps giving – there’s frontman Tyler, the Creator (QRO album review), R&B star Frank Ocean, and now Earl Sweatshirt (QRO photos at a festival), who’s also worked with the likes of Flying Lotus (QRO live review), in Lotus’ Sealab 2021-inspired alter-ego, Captain Murphy.
Shout Out Louds, 6:50 PM – 7:50 PM A QRO favorite (QRO spotlight on) comes to Sasquatch! from halfway around the world.  One of the bests of the ‘Swedish Invasion’ of a few years ago (QRO Swedish Sensations), Stockholm’s Shout Out Louds (QRO interview) have delivered amazing indie-pop records one after another, from debut Howl Howl Gaff Gaff to 2007’s Our Ill Wills (QRO review), 2010’s Work (QRO review), and this year’s Optica (QRO review).  So rejoice as Shout Out Louds (QRO live review) come to Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival) with their amazing live show (QRO live review) and songs like “Illusions” (QRO remix review), “Walls” (QRO video), “Hard Rain” (QRO video), and “Very Loud” (QRO video) – but watch out for singer/guitarist Adam Olenius (QRO interview) diving into the crowd with his go-go for closer “Tonight I Have To Leave It” (QRO video, though not of that happening).
El-P, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Brooklyn’s Jaime Meline, a.k.a. El-P (QRO photos), has been an important factor in the alternative hip-hop scene, bringing together the two otherwise divergent scenes.  So he’s a perfect fit to bring the rhymes to Sasquatch!, behind his last year’s Cancer For Cure (QRO live review of release party).
Fang Island, 4:10 PM – 5:10 PM Providence’s Fang Island (QRO photos outdoors) manages to be both complex and fun (QRO photos at a festival).
DIIV, 3:05 PM – 3:50 PM Brooklyn shoegaze outfit DIIV (QRO live review) – previously known as Dive (QRO photos) – come to Sasquatch!, after releasing debut Oshin (QRO review) last summer.
Torche, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Miami’s Torche (QRO photos at a festival in Florida) have always toured hard, and 2008’s Meanderthal was rated #1 on Decibel Magazine’s ‘Most Extreme Albums of the Year’.  And the metal act is continuing on, even after 2009’s departure of guitarist Juan Montoya over ‘creative differences’, putting out Harmonicraft last year (QRO photos). Also: Deep Sea Diver, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
El Chupacabra Stage The Presets, 12:00 AM – 1:15 AM Another great Australian dance act gracing the stage at Sasquatch! is The Presets (QRO spotlight on).  The duo (QRO interview) first got attention with their sounds on 2005 debut Beams, but broke through into international attention with 2008’s Apocalypso (QRO review).  They (QRO live review) come to Sasquatch! behind last year’s follow-up, Pacifica (QRO review).
Azari & III, 10:30 PM – 11:30 PM Canada’s Azari & III are ubiquitous on the dance-rave festival scene, but also fit in well as Sasquatch!.
Baths, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM Young Will Wiesenfeld (QRO photos at a festival) was able to record & release debut Cerulean in only two months, after adopting the moniker of Baths (QRO photos) – and releases follow-up Obsidian the Tuesday after Sasquatch!.
Lusine, 7:55 PM – 8:40 PM Texan Jeff McIlwan went to California Institute of the Arts to study twentieth century electronic music – and then moved to Seattle to make twenty-first century electronic music as Lusine.
Brett Gelman, 6:25 PM – 7:10 PM Comedian and actor Brett Gelman has done his time in a variety of projects, but has found his perfect spot as the dumb-as-paste sidekick, both to Chris Elliott (who ever thought Chris Elliott would have a sidekick?) on latest great live action series on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, Eagleheart, and Matthew Perry’s actually good post-Friends series Go On (which was just not picked up for a second season).
Also: Brody Stevens, 5:45 PM – 6:15 PM Jon Daly, 5:05 PM – 5:35 PM
Yeti Stage Killer Mike, 9:10 PM – 9:45 PM Michael Render made his debut as Killer Mike (QRO photos at a festival) on “Snappin’ and Trappin’ from OutKast’s Stankonia back in 2000, but has been making his own name (QRO photos) – even owns a barbershop…
Shovels & Rope, 7:40 PM – 8:40 PM South Carolina folk duo Shovels & Rope – a.k.a. husband & wife Michael Trent & Cary Ann Hearst – finally found success when they teamed up, and have been getting serious notice this year, including appearances on Late Show with David Letterman and Austin City Limits (QRO Indie on Late Night TV).
Shad, 6:35 PM – 7:20 PM The flowing rhythms and educated delivery of Kenyan-born, Ontario-bred rapper Shad have long drawn comparisons to k-os and Common. The difference between them being that the former’s style is even further evolved to feature self deprecating lyrics while still exploring troubling issues. After winning a hometown radio contest, Shad was able to self-finance his debut disc, the success of which led him to record three subsequent albums, tour worldwide, and collect multiple Juno and Polaris nominations.
Radical Face, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM One half of superb indietronic duo Electric President (QRO album review), Ben Cooper does the solo alt-folk thing as Radical Face (QRO album review).
Wild Belle, 4:10 PM – 4:55 PM Brother-sister outfit Wild Belle (QRO spotlight on) grew up in Chicago but moved out to – where else? – Brooklyn (QRO photos in NYC). Big brother Elliot Bergmann formed NOMO, but has since teamed up with little sis Natalie (QRO photos). They (QRO interview) made serious waves with hit indie-reggae single “Keep You” (QRO video), getting signed to Columbia for their debut earlier this year, Isles (QRO review).
Hundred Waters, 3:05 PM – 3:50 PM New indie-rock outfit Hundred Waters (QRO photos at a festival) come to Sasquatch! between great opening slots (QRO photos opening) on tours for alt-J (see below) and The xx (see above).
Also: Sean Nelson, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Wake Owl, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – QRO photos
Cthulhu Stage OC Notes: “Golden Gods”, 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM Kingdom Crumbs, 2:20 PM – 3:05 PM Xperience (XP), 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

MONDAY, MAY 27th

Sasquatch! Stage The Postal Service, 10:00 PM – 11:30 PM Ten years ago Death Cab for Cutie (QRO album review) frontman Ben Gibbard (QRO solo album review) and Jimmy Tamborello of DNTEL (QRO album review) traded recordings over the mail to make Give Up – and the world of music was never the same.  With Rilo Kiley (QRO album review) singer Jenny Lewis (QRO live review) as The Postal Service, they created the ‘indietronic’ genre, and basically began the current wave of indie-rockers picking up synths and electronics. And then… nothing.  Everyone returned to their original jobs, and while those were acclaimed ones, people around the world wanted to know if there would be any more from The Postal Service.  Now, after years & years of denials, they’re back (QRO photos), and while the tenth anniversary deluxe edition of Give Up (QRO deluxe edition review) feels like a bit of an unnecessary cash-in, they’ve returned to the road as well (with Lewis), from festivals (returning to Sasquatch! for the first time since 2004) to headlining stadiums.
The Lumineers, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Folk trio from Colorado (QRO photos at a festival), The Lumineers (QRO live review) are known for their songs riddled with cello, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and charming vocals.  Their songs are jauntily and nonabrasive tunes with a sing-along vibe (QRO photos).  The have been touring (QRO photos at a festival) in support of last spring’s self-titled release.
CAKE, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM A band that covers a lot of musical ground, CAKE (QRO live review) draws from more than just the indie-rock well.  While best known for singles like “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket”, the repertoire is varied (QRO photos), including the theme song for NBC’s Chuck.  Look for material old and new at Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival).
Azealia Banks, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Harlem rapper Azealia Banks has made more of a splash in Great Britain (QRO photos across the pond) than in America, but is still a welcome addition to Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival across the other, bigger pond).
Imagine Dragons, 4:05 PM – 5:05 PM From Las Vegas comes indie outfit Imagine Dragons (QRO photos) – they’ve played seemingly every late night show out there (QRO Indie on Late Night TV) off of last year’s debut Night Visions, which shows what having a major label behind you (QRO photos) can do for a new band (QRO photos).
Ryan Bingham, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM New Mexico native Ryan Bingham (QRO photos) straddles the down-home and more contemporary sides of the roots rock revival, most recently with last year’s Tomorrowland.
Willy Moon, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM New Zealand’s Willy Moon combines old time rock ‘n’ roll with modern production.
Peace, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Peace (QRO photos at a festival) became the buzz of the U.K. last year with their debut EP, Delicious.  With their updated Madchester sound, two tracks (“California Daze” and “Bloodshake”) were named NME‘s “Top 50 Songs of 2012.”  Peace’s full-length debut In Love came out in March 2013 to positive reviews, expanding on the soundscapes on Delicious.  The BBC has nominated Peace for the “Sound of 2013” poll.  Sasquatch! is their first stop of a 14 date North American tour (QRO photos at an American festival).
Honda Bigfoot Stage Rusko, 10:00 PM – 11:30 PM Christopher ‘Rusko’ Mercer has brought an upbeat sound to today’s flourishing new dubstep scene, and worked with the likes of M.I.A. (QRO photos at a festival), Rihanna, and even Britney Spears.
alt-J, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Among all the overnight alt-successes, maybe no one has done it as quickly or as majorly as alt-J (QRO live review).  Also known as ‘∆’ – that’s what you get when press the ‘alt’ and ‘J’ buttons on your keyboard, the indie-more quartet went from playing tiny places at terrible hours in 2012 (QRO photos) to winning their native England’s prestigious Mercury Prize later that year (QRO photos at a U.K. festival), and now come back to America playing much, much larger spaces (QRO photos).
Twin Shadow, 7:10 PM – 8:10 PM With one of the best debut album of 2010, Forget, produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear (QRO live review), George Lewis Jr. (a.k.a. Twin Shadow – QRO photos) shot up on the hype meter.  Turns out, the ‘80s new wave-influenced pop of the Dominican Republic born musician (QRO photos at a festival) actually lived up to its reputation. Sophisticated melodies and catchy hooks abound, the tracks of Forget easily transitioned from haunting poetics to infectious dance numbers (QRO photos at a festival), and he’s lived up to that level with last year’s follow-up, Confess, which he tours as he hits Sasquatch! for a second time (QRO live review).
Death Grips, 5:50 PM – 6:50 PM Alt-hip-hop has grown into experimental hip-hop, the next big thing in outfits like Sacramento’s Death Grips (QRO photos at a festival) – who also have a wild stage show more akin to Odd Future (QRO live review).
Dirty Projectors, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM What began as a solo project by songwriter David Longstreth has become so much more (QRO photos).  His Dirty Projectors (QRO photos at a festival) have not only grown in size (with three female co-vocalists – QRO photos at a festival), but also acclaim, thanks to 2009’s Bitte Orca (QRO review), followed up last year with Swing Lo Magellan (QRO Magellan tour photos).  Their arrhythmic stylings married to pitch-perfect harmonies take some getting used to (QRO live review), but many have (QRO photos at a festival), allowing for experiments like Rise Above, Longstreeth’s ‘reimagined’ back-to-front cover, from memory, of Black Flag’s seminal punk record Damaged, and performing their Getty Address top-to-bottom (QRO photos at a festival) to numerous festival appearances, from Sasquatch! 2010 (QRO photos) to even headlining (QRO photos headlining a festival).
Also: Cody Chesnutt, 3:25 PM – 4:10 PM P.O.S., 2:25 PM – 3:10 PM CHVRCHES, 1:25 PM – 2:10 PM – QRO photos at a festival Gold Fields, 12:40 PM – 1:10 PM
El Chupacabra Stage Steve Aoki, 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM One of today’s super-star house DJs, Steve Aoki (QRO photos at a festival) has done everything from make & market his own brand of headphones to play (QRO photos at a festival) the opening of Oliver Queen’s new club on Arrow – not to mention playing around the world (QRO photos at a far-off festival)
Disclosure, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM British electronic duo Disclosure spin beats at the El Chupacabra Stage.
Toro Y Moi, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM One of the ‘big names’ in ‘chillwave’, Chazwick Bundick – a.k.a. Toro y Moi (QRO photos) – had one of the new genre’s touchstone records in 2011 in Causers of This (QRO review), but has since moved to a more rock-oriented sound, especially live (QRO photos).  He comes to Sasquatch! (QRO photos) behind his new record, Anything In Return.
Also: Odesza, 4:55 PM – 5:40 PM Mike Birbiglia, 3:35 PM – 4:35 PM James Adomian, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Yeti Stage Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM Today’s chillwave scene is so new that even its founders are young. The just-past-thirty Ariel Marcus Rosenberg, or ‘Ariel Pink’ (QRO live review), helped start whatever you call the sound, just recording in his bedroom, but only recently has he recruited a band (QRO live review) and ventured out & onto the stage, with 2010’s Before Today (QRO review). He’s since kept it up both live (QRO live review) and on record, with last year’s Mature Themes (QRO review).
Beachwood Sparks, 7:25 PM – 8:25 PM Los Angeles’ Beachwood Sparks brings “country through a kaleidoscope.”
Menomena, 6:05 PM – 7:05 PM Acclaimed Portland experimental indie duo Menomena (QRO live review) are back at Sasquatch! (QRO photos at a festival) for the first time since 2005, with last year’s Moms, their latest since 2010’s Mines (QRO review) and 2007’s Friend and Foe (QRO review).
The Barr Brothers, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Brothers Andrew & Brad Barr have been performing in a variety of bands, including The Slip (QRO live review), Surprise Me Mr. Davis (QRO photos), and Land of Talk (QRO spotlight on), but they’ve since been breaking out all on their own.
Also: Elliott BROOD, 3:20 PM – 4:25 PM – QRO album review Brown Bird, 2:20 PM – 3:05 PM – QRO photos Luke Sital-Singh, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM The Wild Feathers, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Cthulhu Stage Grieves, 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM Theoretics, 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM Nissim, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

For festival website, go here: http://www.sasquatchfestival.com/