Graphics by Teresa Yang
While much of the Pacific Northwest is known for its laid-back culture, this festival set in Central Washington is anything but. The energy of Sasquatch! 2013 was a sign that the event definitely isn’t slowing down in terms of what it can offer. The line-up included acts such as The Postal Service, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Tame Impala and a handful of top-notch sets from international bands such as Sigur Rós and Alt J.
The outdoor music scene is something everyone should experience, especially if that scene happens to be one of the largest music festivals in the Northwest! You definitely won’t not leave Sasquatch disappointed. The camping environment alone is a large part of why many fans return — from the early morning beers, to the friendly Canadians, you’re always sure to be entertained.
Sasquatch’s best feature is that it has something for everyone. While there’s been much talk that it’s slowly becoming an electronic dance-pop scene, I hold true to the belief that the festival is simply encompassing a broader spectrum of music. Acts such as Empire of the Sun and Grimes are featured right alongside bands like Red Fang and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. This amalgamation of genres is a good thing — it’s a sign that music culture is evolving into something that unites rather than divides.
The Setup: The 2013 Sasquatch line up featured 90+ bands and artists from all over, spanning local regions and overseas. Judging from the the ticket sales (selling out in 90 minutes), I can assume that The Gorge’s attendance this year was over capacity.
Weather: Sasquatch has seen it’s share of crazy weather. From hail storms to blistering heat, Washington’s climate always keeps us on your toes. The weather at this year’s festival featured temperate sunshine in the high 70′s and colder nights in the 50′s. Despite this sunshine, Monday saw nothing but rain for most of the day.
Food options: The Gorge featured a standard vendor selection selling burgers, brats/hotdogs, nachos and basically anything that can be thrown into a deep frier. I wouldn’t recommend this cuisine unless you want to be well acquainted with the lovely festival honey buckets… Festival goers are allowed to bring in food, though, so for anyone interested in saving a few bucks, it’s wise to make your food at camp then bring it in.
Overall crowdedness: As with any music festival, the crowds can be a little overwhelming. If you’re prone to claustrophobia, be warned, the pits can be a bit of a nightmare. Fortunately, you can alleviate this fear of drowning in a sea of bodies by chilling out with a blanket along the parameter of every stage. Crowds at this festival can be packed, but there are always ways to escape the madness.
Not your festival if: Sasquatch is fun, but it can also test your tolerance for a lot of things. This 4 day festival isn’t recommended to anyone who doesn’t like camping or general campsite craziness.
Best Set: Sigur Rós easily gave the best performance all weekend. While their light show and visual spectacles alone would have been enough to embed them in Sasquatch history, their performance was made even more memorable with such songs as “Starlafur”, “Glosoli”, and “Saeglopur”. Despite their humble Icelandic demeanor, the band’s sound is loud and awe-inspiring.
Honorable Mention: Tame Impala, Alt-J, The Postal Service, Grimes, and Empire of the Sun
Biggest Disappointment: There wasn’t much to be disappointed with this year, and most, if not all, of the festival’s problems were due to the weather. The majority of Monday left everyone soaked, and many of the performers held back in their performance for fear of taking a spill on stage. In addition to Monday’s unfortunate weather, there were also some slight technical difficulties during Father John Misty’s set as well as and during the sound check for Twin Shadow. These problems, although quickly fixed, left many frustrated.
Tip of the Hat: Tame Impala was a big favorite among many who attended their set. If not for the slight schedule overlap with headliner Sigur Rós, the band could have ended Saturday night with a performance worthy of a main-stage spot. Their set featured many of their psych-rock hits off of Lonerism such as “Feels Like we Only Go Backwards” and “Mind Mischief”.