Treasure Island Fest 2009 Lineup Announced… And it’s *AWESOME*
by The Scene on July 13th, 2009
Wow, it’s been a while since The Scene had a post. We’d apologize, but given that us hard-working writer types are also hard-working Dubious Ranger types, the last couple months have been brimming with band activity, touring, cutting a new album, and other small things like that, so our excuse is as valid as my driver’s license 6 months from now. And now, without further ado…
OMG OH DEAR GOD THE TREASURE ISLAND FESTIVAL FOR 2009 IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!!!1111!
Okay, outburst over. Here’s some explanation:
Saturday (Electronic/Dance day):
You might think we’d get really excited for another chance to see Girl Talk, Dan Deacon, and The Streets. Well, we are pretty excited. Dan Deacon’s shows are otherworldly in a very surreal, hipper-than-thou way that’s entertaining beyond anything you could expect. Girl Talk doesn’t need explanation, Greg’s just the man to run your party, period. And The Streets? Mike Skinner may be getting older, but his hooks are still pretty damn great, even if a lot of his lyrics nowadays just sound like a guy describing whatever he’s passing by in his car. MGMT is headlining the day, and while we enjoyed their earlier shows with a more classic rock, lower-key feel, we’re sure they’ll move the crowd in whatever electro-dance fashion they deem fit. Oh, and local San Jose buzz-band The Limousines will be opening the day, and they rock pretty well too.
And… here’s why Saturday isn’t even that exciting:
Sunday Lineup:
The Flaming Lips - Pure psychedelic joy. What better way to end a weekend than with flying saucers and a bearded acid-casualty savant in a bubble?
The Decemberists - Honestly, they’ve been getting notably better with every single album for the last decade. How the hell does a band DO that?
Beirut - Indie boy wonder is the perfect anachronism for modern music, love it.
YO LA TENGO! - Sonic Youth and Pavement may get the indie godfather award on a more regular basis, but Yo La Tengo is simply one of the best bands you’ll ever see live, plain and simple. Whether hitting up their newer material or plumbing classics from their back-catalog, YLT has an unmatched mastery of dynamics and subtlety, not to mention you can watch Ari go nuts for 20 minutes as the band jams out on “Pass The Hatchet, I think I’m Goodkind”. Yes.
The Walkmen - the best country band who you never knew was a country band. Last year’s You & Me was a Scene favorite, and it’s safe to assume the band’s set at this show will match very well with watching the sun set from the middle of the Bay.
Bob Mould - you remind me of my old high school bio teacher, except you helped invent the underground. Will he be DJing or rocking out this show? Hard to predict, as he’s gotten more and more interested in his turntables these last few years… We wouldn’t mind just *one* cut from Zen Arcade though… pretty please?
Spiral Stairs - The Scene’s always been more of a shameless Malkmus worshipper, but if anything, we’re just more excited to see him take the stage as a solo artist under his old Pavement moniker, rather than as The Preston School of Industry. Not to be mean, but if you’re doing older cuts, could you please please do Date With Ikea rather than Hit The Plane Down? Just a small request, really.
Sleepy Sun - All your acid/psychedelic rock needs bundled into one insanely cool young band. We at The Scene don’t want to pitch these guys too hard at our readers… let’s just say if you don’t check them out immediately and watch ‘em live, you have something extremely wrong with you and you should end your life asap.
I hope we’ve done a semi-coherent job at conveying our excitement. Tix go on sale July 14; go get ‘em, Tiger.
on May 26th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Brilliant website, where did you obtain the theme?