All hail the first music festival of 2011 to hit The Bay Area. Heading out to the show? Well here’s a breakdown of who you should see. Props to Live 105 for the very cool iPhone App you can download here.
MAIN STAGE
Linkin Park (9:25 – 10:55) – This is a perfect headliner since you can beat the crowd and leave early without feeling guilty.
Snoop Dogg (8:05 -8:55) – Snoop puts on a fantastic live show. Get ready for a contact buzz to end all contact buzzes. Just make sure you cut out early enough to get in the food line immediately after the set.
The Strokes (6:55 -7:45) – Clearly the highlight of the main stage. If you have never seen The Strokes before, get ready to see this generation’s Led Zeppelin.
Cage the Elephant -(6:00 – 6:35) -These guys put on one hell of an explosive live show. Expect lots of strutting, squealing, and flailing. A modern day Violent Femmes if you will.
BUDLIGHT FESTIVAL STAGE
Bad Religion – (4:40 – 5:35) – A must see. Learn where all your favorite pop punk bands stole their sound from.
Neon Trees (4:00 – 4:40)– I have heard “Oh Oh I Want Some More” so many times, I feel like I produced it. No thanks.
The Airborne Toxic Event (3:20 – 4:00)– One of the best live bands I have ever seen. These guys are amazing from start to finish. When they play “Sometime Around Midnight” it is almost magical. DO NOT MISS.
Manchester Orchestra (2:40 – 3:20)– Their live show reminds me of a young hipster version of The Who. This is a “not to be missed” as well.
Foster the People (2:05-2:40) – Huge buzz, critical darlings, and they sound like an American Peter, Bjorn, and John; should be big in the hipster circuit.
Biffy Clyro (1:30 – 2:05) – These guys are huge in Scotland, and that’s about all I have to say about that (in my best Forrest Gump voice).
Middle Class Rut (1:00 – 1:30) – The first thing you will notice is that the singer sounds like Perry Farrell. The second thing you will notice is that they write some pretty catchy hooks. It’s a bit monotone but if they take a Phil Spector wall of sound approach live, they should kill.
Young the Giant (12:30 – 1:00) – These guys made a really cool effing record. Should be the surprise highlight of the day. Emotionally soaring rock anthems and clearly the most diverse act on the entire bill. Check this out for a preview:
Awolnation (12:00 – 12:30) – There used to be this amazing band called Under The Influence of Giants who made one of the most incredibly original records I had heard in some time; well they got screwed. Now the singer of that band is getting a second chance, and good luck to him. Get there early and see a band that should be back around headlining this event next year. Check this out for a quick preview:
I would highly reccommend getting to the show early to see the first two bands. They are going to turn a lot of heads.
Are you going? Who are you looking forward to seeing most?
