We finally managed to sort through the rest of our pictures from Vegoose last weekend and there were definitely some winners. We also managed to find some video of the crazy dance party M.I.A. threw on stage. Check the video below and Gander on for some great photos.
Gander On!
Day two of Vegoose started off a little later than day one for us. Fighting sore shoulders from shooting laser hands at Daft Punk the night before we were surprised to find such a small crowd at Austin's own Ghostland Observatory. We walked right up to the rail and enjoyed all the hip gyrating and pelvic thrusts we could get from lead singer Aaron Behrens. It was one of the smaller crowds we'd seen at Ghostland show, we're guessing Vegas just isn't quite ready yet.
Next on the list of must see acts was Michael Franti and Spearhead. The energy was contagious as Michael ordered the crowd to jump from the front to the back. This show did happen to provide some of the more interesting sights of the day. Mid way through the show one fan began flinging tortillas into the air and soon the entire crowd was flinging them back and forth bringing back memories of the wrestling show put on at the Sasquatch festival this year. In the middle of a "What I Got" cover Michael and the guys launched into the theme songs from Sesame street getting the entire crowd to sing along before ending it with a rousing rendition of "C is for Cookie."
We didn't have to venture far for the next act, just closer to the stage. English rocker Muse took the stage and provided the crowd with the rock they had been craving all day. Guitarist and piano man extraordinaire Matthew Bellamy wowed the crowd with his playing and theatrics. We were told by our friend from the Netherlands that their stage show is usually more elaborate. We didn't seem to mind especially towards the end as Flaming Lips sized vinyl balls filled with confetti rolled out from behind the stage creating a fun loving happy go lucky atmosphere.
After seeing Rage Against The Machine up close at Coachella earlier this year and thanking our lucky stars we manged to survive with only a handful of bruises. We decided to get close but not to close. You soon learn that at A Rage show that phrase means standing at the food court. We did our best to whip the crowd around us into a frenzy and poked fun at every that had to leave because the decided to bring their girlfriend into the pit with them. Zack and the gang ran through their standard set of hits and surprisingly went without making any political statements, but merely letting the music carry the message. At the end pf the show the entire band embraced onstage showed the crowd their appreciation. Each member had wide smiles on their faces and truly looked to be happy to be together again. We were even privileged enough to hear one new song and can't wait to hear more. Vegoose 2007 was certainly a success form a musical standpoint and here's to hoping it was financially as well because we're already looking forward to next year.
Gander On!
It was a long day in the Las Vegas desert yesterday but thee performances were well worth it. Eugene Hutz and Gogol Bordello got us started off with a rousing set filled with gypsy punk theatrics including Eugene bathing himself in wine and to our count breaking at least three mic stands. Next for was Atmosphere who came out looking like he was going to sing us some country songs rather than some great hip-hip tunes. The fans were shoe gazing early as Slug played some new tunes but after playing "God Loves Ugly" they quickly began to pump their fists and sing along.
Public Enemy hit the stage late but showed they still have the energy to rock a crowd half their age that probably doesn't even own a Public Enemy album. Flavor Flav was in full effect leading the crowd in chants of Fuck George Bush, Fuck Disk Cheney, and Fuck Condoleeza, and throwing in a Fuck Tony Blair for good measure.
We got to Cypress Hill just in time to hear "Insane In The Membrane" and hear them go through nearly a dozen more songs about reefer and the police. The stage show really hasn't changed for Cypress in a while but they still know how to rock a crowd.
After checking the Red Sox score we headed over to M.I.A. who we have been wanting to see all year but visa problems for her and work for us always got in the way. The set was full of gunshots and M.I.A. moved rhythmically to their sound. Later in the set she brought a good third of the crowd onstage to dance with her and caused some alarm for security. We made sure to lead the crowd around us in the unique dance moves that go along with M.I.A.'s music. Our favorite being stomp the cockroach.
The rest of the evening is kind of a blur. We listened to a little of Iggy while we waited to take a trip through Axe's sexy haunted house and then caught Thievery Corporation before making our way to get a good spot for Daft Punk. We made some international friends in the crowd who were giving everyone drinks from their bag of wine and who were also kind enough to glitter us up for Daft Punk. The French duo like always were amazing and put on a light show to be remembered. We were trying to imagine what it was like to see the show from the planes landing overhead. We were a sweaty mess and the end of the day but the smile produced by Daft Punk is still on ur face as we type this morning. Day 2 starts with Ghostland Observatory and ends with Rage Against the Machine. We'll be updating all day so stay tuned.
Gander On!
We'll be live blogging the entire festival this weekend in Vegas. Check back regularly to see whats going on throughout the day. We've also got big news coming up next week and will have the blog up and running smoothly with daily updates.
Gander On!
