Sasquatch Scheduling for the Indecisive: Saturday

A quick note before we begin. I'm not familiar with all of the artists at Sasquatch, and in many cases am making judgments based on their myspace songs - probably not the most accurate way to judge a band. So if I end up being wrong about missing a band, don't hate the player, hate the game.

12:00: Gallon jug of water and sunscreen in hand, venture in for what will likely be the best day of music of the weekend. Skip Bedouin Soundclash (unless you're a fan of watered-down reggae) and Brett Dennen. Head strait for the main stage for Rouge Wave, who make pleasant indie pop reminiscent of good Death Cab For Cutie.

Rogue Wave- Bird On A Wire from Descended Like Vultures

1:00: On the main stage, Gomez has written some solid tunes in the past, but their new album, which will probably dominate the set, is toned-down, overly poppy and dull (i.e. Calexico). Based on his myspace, Elvis Perkins may be worth checking out. Subtle, yet interesting singer-songwriter type. But my recommendation is to be there for Architecture In Helsinki, simply to see if they use as many instruments live as they do on their records, which are like less frustrating versions of the Fiery Furnaces'.

Architecture In Helsinki - In Case We Die from In Case We Die

2:30: Here's where it starts to get tricky. Sufjan is Sufjan. The guy's albums may be half filler, but when he is on, he is on. I've heard the live show is spotty, but as long as he plays "Romulus" I'd be okay with spotty. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks were recently added to the schedule, and while you gotta respect Malkmus's enormous influence on the modern indie rock scene, his solo work has never really grabbed me like Pavement did. Though you may want to catch them just to tell your grandkids you saw Stephen Malkmus in the flesh one time. And after a myspace listen, David Ford appears to be a pretty average UK singer-songwriter. Though you could attend out of pity that he is scheduled against such heavyweights. My pick: Say Yes! To Sufjan.

Sufjan Stevens- Romulus from Greetings From Michigan, The Great Lake State



3:30: If you can feel the heat stroke beginning to set in and just need some down time, Iron & Wine is for you. Sam Beam's voice is even more gorgeous in person, though he's not much to watch unless you are a connoisseur of fine beards. If you feel like moving around a bit more, Slender Means is a solid Seattle-based pop band that is worth seeing. My pick: Water, tanning and Sam Beam on the hill. Here's one of my favorite Iron & Wine b-sides:

Iron & Wine- Communion Cups And Someone's Coat from the Passing Afternoon single

4:00-4:30: Don't ask me. Neko Case released what is probably the best album of the year thus far, Band of Horses are one of the better new bands out there and Korby Lenker is a great local artist and all-around swell guy. Seriously, flip a coin. You're getting good music no matter what happens.

Neko Case- Star Witness from Fox Confessor Brings The Flood

Band of Horses- Monsters from Everything All Of The Time

Korby Lenker- South of Pender from The Ghost of Whiteboy



















5:30: The Tragically Hip are Canadian classic rock. Skip it and go for a better Canadian band, The Constantines, who bring the rock like few others. If you're down with the hippity hop (or whatever the kids are calling it these days), Common Market is on the Yeti stage.

The Constantines- Hotline Operator from Tournament of Hearts

6:30: Sam Roberts is a decent waste of your time, but a better choice would be Seattle-based Tim Seely, whose myspace tracks are quite intriguing. Kind of like a Rocky Votolato who takes more chances.












7:00: The Shins are reportedly a fun live band, and probably the quintessential indie band of our decade. It will be interesting to see what the new material sounds like.

The Shins- Gone For Good from Chutes Too Narrow















8:30:It's Flaming Lips time. Sure the new album is pretty mediocre, but these guys' live show is a thing of legend. Giant balloons, spotlights, fake blood, animal outfits, amazing visuals, etc. Who knows what will happen?

The Flaming Lips- Bohemian Rhapsody from some Queen tribute album

10:00: I'm not a big Ben Harper fan. Go back to camp early and get a head start on the heavy drinking.