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PORT TOWNSEND — Rhian Teasdale feels the vibe.The lead vocalist/guitarist of British rock band Wet Leg, easily the busiest band playing this weekend THING Festival, she was just walking around a vibrant, fun-filled indie pop festival when she took a minute to survey the humble Friday crowd basking in the afternoon sun.
“What a beautiful day,” said the soft-spoken hostess, who was delighted to see a light fixture on the festival grounds as she was desperate to kill time while the bassist noticed in his cupboard There is an unwelcome crackling sound. Her combination of mild stage presence and lyrical whimsy lightens Wet Leg’s effective blend of eccentric post-punk and combustible power-pop, making the ridiculously hyped Brit the perfect holiday rock band.
The indie rock ‘it’ band of the moment is a nice ‘get’ for the thriving festival, which is quickly becoming Washington’s best destination music festival in just two years — at least two-thirds from what we can tell of people came to see the way through the three-day eventstarting on Friday and continuing through Sunday.
after a first sold out In 2019, THING returns to Fort Worden Historic State Park in Port Townsend Another impressive lineup It’s just the right mix of established indie games, interesting up-and-comers, and deeper discovery across countless genres. Fixing some of the first-year hiccups — including the elimination of a clunky discount ticket system — this small, family-friendly festival’s reissue offers everything you’d love about a good music festival without more Big trouble (and beer price gouging) compared to mainstream peers.
With attendance in the thousands, and with plenty of room for more (this year, capacity has increased slightly to 6,500, plus free admission for children 12 and under), head to the front lines without an elbow, and Hiatus Kaiyote offers One of the best performances of the first two days. As the setting sun threw gold on the stage with its back to the Salish Sea, audiences were captivated by the Australian band’s brilliant experimental R&B. Led by singer/guitarist Nai Palm, who has a sound strong enough to move the nearby Olympic Mountains (or at least keep those clouds apart during their hour-long show), the groove jiu-jitsu masters jazzy, funky, soulful and Unexpected ways to push and pull their nimble tune directions.
The first two phases of THING never overlapped the set times, reducing the inherent FOMO with larger festivals, although storytellers, comedians, speakers, KEXP DJs, and other non-musical shows from local tribes are on the rise these days Various smaller spaces are filled. As the Hiatus Kaiyote wrapped up Friday, one-time Seattle priest John Misty settled at the other end of the expansive but manageable field in his best local performance in years.
Backed by a nine-piece band, the murmured dark humorist knocked out one of his most famous songs (“Hollywood Cemetery Forever”) early, explaining that he had to play the next “Build a little trust” before the song. The former Fleet Fox quickly turned to vaudeville “Chloe,” elegantly leading his big band through vintage cuts that sounded more like what you’d hear at a smoky 1930s jazz club or from a hand-cranked gramophone, instead of the 2022 festival. “Okay, let’s dig a hole here,” he joked over a trumpet-filled waltz bridge.
Father John Misty wasn’t the only big band leader to make a splash during THING’s first two days. Seattle rapper Jarv Dee ignited the still gathering afternoon crowd (performed by a top-notch trio) with a smooth Auto-Tuned rap to hold court on the wooden Littlefield Green stage.
As producer/composer/guitarist Adrian Younge explains, the cross-generational project is about “giving flowers to legends,” and the series revolves around showcasing three jazz heavyweights: bassist Henry Franklin, organ king Doug Kahn and Pianist/flutist Brian Jackson, everyone has a personalised part. Out of nowhere, a motorized hang glider whizzed past the crowd, while Kahn adorned a playful conga show with a crisp solo, while Younge directed a dozen players on stage. .
A bouncy “Winter in America” — Jackson’s timeless 1974 collaboration with Gil Scott-Heron — highlights the weekend’s most beloved and popular performances to date. “I love Port Townsend, I’m moving [here],” Younge gushed, and he and Jackson set up a cheery call-and-response section in the crowd. “I need to talk to some realtors later. ” maybe he can get Tyler, the creator guy.
One of the biggest questions going into THING’s second year is how offering single-day tickets for the first time might affect turnout throughout the weekend (will fans be full by Sunday?). Unsurprisingly, the lawn on the widest parade field stage felt the fullest in Saturday’s headliner Modest Mouse, the biggest name in the lineup. Glowing, shimmering balls of fans can be colored live and sprinkled all over the lawn, while the Northwest indie rock star dutifully dons quirky jumpsuits like “Little City Made From Ash” and “Lamp on Fire” Gives that extra weirdness to the air, even if the latter lacks the usual punch.
THING continued on Sunday with Jungle, rap nerd hero Freddie Gibbs, art-pop experimenters Yves Tumor and Lido Pimienta, and more.
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