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Favorite ThisSasquatch Day 2 / The Gorge Amphitheater (George, WA) / 5.26.12

Published: June 6, 2012
Written By: Gracie Roberts
Photos By: Mason Trinca

Saturday of 2012’s Sasquatch! Music Festival promised a day of lovely weather, good vibes and even greater music to its attendees. As the first full day of music at the festival, Sasquatch began welcoming enthusiastic fans into the venue at 11 a.m.

On this sunny Saturday, sounds from artists including Charles Bradley, Blitzen Trapper, Alabama Shakes, and The Civil Wars created a cool and inviting atmosphere across the amphitheater. In the Banana Shack, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of Portlandia entertained fans with a hilarious and engaging skit centered around the culture and beauty of Portland, Oregon. These daytime activities served as the perfect launching point for the busy evening ahead.

At 4:40 p.m., Com Truise took his place onstage in the Banana Shack. Born Seth Haley, Com Truise was born and raised in upstate New York and now operates out of Princeton, New Jersey. A self-proclaimed “synth obsessive”, this electronic musician has been on the rise since his debut EP, Cyanide Sisters, gained attention in early 2011. During the same year, he released full-length albums Galactic Melt and Fairlight.

At the Banana Shack, it wasn’t long before Haley’s show turned into a full-blown dance party complete with fog machines, inflatable beach balls and an impressive light show to boot. With Com Truise’s deep, mellow sound resonating within the Shack, fans were put into a loosened trance that carried on throughout the extent of his performance.

Without missing a beat, AraabMuzik was next on the Banana Shack stage. Abraham Orellana has an interesting tale behind his rise to fame. In 2006, Orellana gained notoriety for his MPC drum machine skills through YouTube. Using the MPC, he has the ability to produce live beats and rapid, rhythmic drum patterns. During his career as a producer, Orellana has worked with artists Cam’ron, Busta Rhymes, Vado and many others.

AraabMuzik showcased his MPC technique on the Banana Shack’s large LCD screens, with a shot of his hands being shown to the crowd at all times during his set. A glitchy vibe was present throughout his performance, as he integrated fast-paced beats into tracks including Kaskade’s “4 AM” and Nero’s “Promises”. It was fair to say that the crowd was taken aback by the unusual production style that AraabMuzik had to offer, and this surprise quickly turned into appreciation as fans became conscious of the artist’s musical talent.

6:45 marked the beginning of Purity Ring’s set in the Shack. Formed in 2010, this Canadian indie electronic band consists of instrumentalist Corin Roddick and vocalist Megan James. Bringing forth a musical style that incorporates electronic pop, dub, and glitch into its sound, Purity Ring has quickly emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Last year, the duo was named Best New Band of 2011 by Pitchfork Media.

Purity Ring’s set included many tracks from their upcoming debut album, Shrines, which is to be released on July 24. “Belispeak”, “Lofticries”, and “Ungirthed” gratified the crowd, who took in James’ dainty and graceful voice with pleasure. The pair was clearly honored by the crowd’s reception of their music, and James frequently thanked the audience for their love and support.

After performances by artists including The Helio Sequence, Metric, Tune-Yards, and The Shins, fans made their way back to the Banana Shack for a electro-filled performance by Wolfgang Gartner. Born Joey Youngman, this Grammy-nominated American house producer and DJ has made his mark on the EDM industry since his debut EP, Shapes, was released in 2007. In the years following, Youngman has released a slew of singles and remixes that have taken off with fans around the world. It was only in 2011 that Wolfgang released his first album, Weekend in America.

One could have thought that they were part of a European rave during Wolfgang’s set in the Gorge. With an eternal sense of energy and vigor behind his beats, Gartner never once allowed his fans a moment of rest during his booming 90-minute performance. Tracks including “Undertaker”, “Illmerica” and “Spacejunk” drove the crowd wild, with masses of people filling the tent to its capacity. It’s safe to say that Wolfgang’s performance was a highlight of the festival for many electronic music lovers. Even Youngman himself had a lot to say about his appearance at Sasquatch, praising the event in a post on his Facebook page.

The fun never seemed to end on the second day of Sasquatch, with a five-star performance by The Roots closing out the night. Fans left the venue with smiles on their faces and tunes still playing in their ears. Reaching the mid-point of the festival, fans arranged themselves for two more days of fun and excitement.


Slideshow from Days 1 & 2

Click Here for Day 1 Review
Click Here for Day 3 Review

Tags: Hip HopDowntempoLivetronicaElectroHouseTechno