tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-864329249330958181.post10200446208536725..comments2023-10-30T12:32:24.093+00:00Comments on DC ROCK LIVE - REVIEWS: Sweetlife Festival -- Merriweather Post Pavilion - May 12 2013David Hintzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126423279995586770noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-864329249330958181.post-79075412887841505112013-05-14T18:31:57.511+01:002013-05-14T18:31:57.511+01:00Thanks a ton Chris. Actually, no, I was hoping to ...Thanks a ton Chris. Actually, no, I was hoping to get through Lamar's set to go deeper in the night, but with the rain, mud, and crowds making the 2nd stage difficult and the mood I was getting in suffering through his set, I decided to head home and get some sleep before my 5:00am alarm. I really hope hip hop fans start asking for a lot more than this. It is 2013 folks, if these cliches aren't annoying you by now, I hope it is because you are really young.<br /><br />Yeah, I am sorry I missed Phoenix, but I'll keep them on my radar now. There certainly was enough to enjoy at this festival with a good array of styles, and some strong talent.David Hintzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126423279995586770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-864329249330958181.post-14144206675538444332013-05-14T18:05:35.962+01:002013-05-14T18:05:35.962+01:00One correction: line 3, "have" -> &qu...One correction: line 3, "have" -> "half". COChrisOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-864329249330958181.post-36464163984424405002013-05-14T18:02:55.564+01:002013-05-14T18:02:55.564+01:00Here are my reactions to Passion Pit and Phoenix. ...Here are my reactions to Passion Pit and Phoenix. My reactions to the 2 bands were very different. I guess they both would be loosely classified as electronic dance pop. As one who dances like a statue and always has, this genre has to work as music for me to enjoy it. I was actually thinking of seening Holy Ghost! at the Treehouse stage and miss have of Passion Pit, but a report of widespread mud convinced me to settle into my seat. I had seen Passion Pit do a few songs at Earth Day a few years ago, and I was unable to see what all the fuss was about. This time I saw a full set, and I was again unable to see what all the fuss is about. It's a big production, with a big backdrop and things that looked like balloons flashing lights. The music, however, left me cold. It was inoffensive enough, but I did not find the songs to have the musical hooks to grab my attention, and there was no vocal or instrumental virtuosity on display. A high-voiced lead singer struck various poses as he hopped around onstage, as if he rehearsed in front of a mirror. The crowd loved it, of course. <br /><br />Phoenix was another matter entirely. They and the YYYs were the basic reason I went to the festival (that and the fact that someone had to drive my daughter and a friend up there and back). I didn't record all the instumentation - a drummer with a full kit, another one with a smaller kit and a keyboard, guitar, bass, maybe one other guy. A high-voiced lead singer who was thoroughly engaging, songs there were catchy, hooky, and played by a good tight band with a very energetic drummer. The visuals projected behind the band were good enought to be a positive contribution to the show - lights and colors, a slow pan of a city somewhere in France (I guess), sometimes the band pretty much in the dark with their silhouettes in multiple instances on the screen. The songs are ridiculously catchy, and the singer does such a great job with them that resistence is futile. My daughter and her friend both said it was the best show they had ever seen, but they are seniors in high school. I'd say that it was one of the best shows, maybe they best, by a band whose music I'm not already a big fan of. Seeing them and the YYYs was worth the price of admission (and with the good view and the rain, it was well worth paying up and getting pavillion seats).<br /><br />Dave - Kendrick Lamar really was on a lot of top 10 lists last year, though after seeing his set, I have no idea why. Sorry if my telling you that fact was what made you sit through his set. Other than a lot of cussing and such exhortations as "Make some noise DC!" and "Hands in the air!", I have not idea what he was saying. I found him to be a bore.ChrisOnoreply@blogger.com