I spent this past Memorial Day Weekend dancing in the dust in the middle of nowhere, Washington, alongside EDM, comedy, indie and folk lovers alike. Sounds like a random combination, but that is exactly what makes Sasquatch! Music Festival the experience it has grown into today. Thousands of music lovers and a vastly diverse lineup of performers gathered at the breathtaking Columbia Gorge for four days of sunshine, smiles and sound. The rolling fields exploded into a campground vibrant with life, while the plunging river canyons surrounding it echoed with endless streams of music.
An increase in the number of EDM performers is still fairly recent at Sasquatch!, however this year’s lineup featured a perfect mesh of old and new artists. From The Roots to Tenacious D, Bon Iver, Jack White and LA Riots, there was a show for everyone. Friday night, Pretty Lights kicked off the electronic side of the 4-day festival with a unique set that made sure to cater to the alternative crowd with plenty of funky, soulful vibes. As per usual, the lights and visuals that accompanied his set were exceptional and helped to kick off the dance side of the festival perfectly.
Wolfgang Gartner hands down took the prize for the best performance of the weekend. Kicking off his set with “The Champ” and following up with a seemingly endless stream of unreleased never before heard tracks, he had the crowd captivated before they knew what hit them. With the pulsing energy of the crowd fueling his fire, Wolfgang’s post-Sasquatch! Facebook status sums the unforgettable night up perfectly.
“There’s this festival called Sasquatch out in the middle of Washington once a year. Last night I played it. This is a really bold statement but, imma go ahead and say this was the best gig I have ever played in my life, crowd-wise, vibe-wise, everything-wise. Thank you to everybody who was there who made it happen because I will never forget it as long as I live. This is the kind of night that makes me realize I would do this shit for free.”
In case you haven’t heard of the Dutch trio Nobody Beats the Drum, you had better start listening. With two dj’s and one live visual artist simultaneously meshing their creations, NBTD’s performance was jaw-dropping. Their setup incorporates massive visual panels that partially enclose the crowd and emit visuals perfectly created to fit the sounds. They’re just beginning their North American tour, so check out their website in case their next stop is somewhere near you!
Dancing in the dust during Felix Cartal’s late afternoon set was also enhanced by the energy of the audience. With the golden sunset reflecting the layers of dust as it swirled around the crowd, his set was nothing short of inspirational. Similar to Wolfgang, Felix’s post-Sasquatch! Facebook statement says it all.
“I just need to say that SASQUATCH! Music Festival was one of, if not THE most amazing show I’ve ever played in my life. Huge thanks to everyone who brought all that energy to the dance tent. Amazing. Inspiring. This all just makes me want to work harder. THANK YOU!!”
As the finale, NERO closed out Sasquatch! with a bass-filled goodbye. Aside from showcasing their signature bass-filled sound, a heavy amount of moombah was interwoven perfectly into the set. Festival-goers eager to hang on to the last remnants of the weekend found themselves pleasantly surprised with the expansive variety of tracks squeezed into the last set of the weekend.
If you ever have the opportunity to make it to the Gorge and/or Sasquatch!, I highly recommend it because the EDM acts are just getting better and better. Not only that but the vibes from everyone around you and the picturesque scenery are unmatched anywhere else. Interviews with Wolfgang Gartner, Felix Cartal and Nobody Beats the Drum are coming soon….you know you want to hear more about the festival that changed their lives.
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