DAY 2 Update: MFNW Portland Oregon 9/19

MFNW (Music Fest NorthWest): DAY 2:

Day2:

Today the infamous Arctic Monkeys rocked up into the festival to play at the 3-day Nike sponsored "Bands in the Hood" venue at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland. Although Nike was hoping to get some time for me to interview the bands today they were not able to after repeated attempts. When does the band's sponsor get turned down for a brief interview with the band? When they are the Arctic Monkeys I suppose?? Nonetheless, I persevered with the utmost of patience as I jumped the hoops to get some very limited photo rights, (talked to the guy who turned me down for the interview and signed whatever waiver was needed for the chance to get a few photographs of the band during the first 3 songs)

I had heard mixed reviews from other "moggers" about the new album, Humbug, and moreover their 'festival" performance this past summer. I was anxious to give the new album a few spins in prep for hearing them live this week and actually liked the new material more than most of the reviews that I had read prior to.

Once at the event, I took some time to hear and catch some of the opening act, The Like, who are touring with the band. A fairly unknown band out of LA who have produced 3 EPs: "I Like the Like", "Like It Or Not", "...And the Like". Despite their obscurity, they have toured with the likes of The Kings of Lion, The Phantom Planet, Tori Amos, and Muse for a short stint as well as playing at Coachella O₂ Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London. In September 2006.

The set for the Like was mostly cute and without much highlights - not impressive from a performance side. Perhaps the band was a bit shy at first and did not have enough time to quite warm up to the audience with their charm. The most candid part on stage was when Reni Lane, Like keyboardist, turned her backside to the stage to introduce the next song title, "The End". (see photo) which at least got a few giggles and a big smile out of front woman, Elizabeth "Z-Berg" who was otherwise very expressionless throughout the set. The song on from the Like, "Fair Game" is their newest and, if you are "game" to check out more of the likes of the Like, head on over to their website for a free download of the song here.

Between the sets of the two bands I got up to the bar to chat with some of the attendees and groupees alike about the Arctic Monkeys -what their thoughts and opinions were about the new album. I was slightly, although not all together, surprised that most of them had not yet heard Humbug and were just there to see the Arctic Monkeys. Most of them got there fairly early to get a place in line and hope to get in (many were turned away due to the small venue for such a popular band) The "Rose Garden" home of the only professional ball team in town, Portland Trailblazers is a much bigger venue for a band of this level of popularity. This was unique and one of the reasons I love the MFNW festival and it's organizers. My only complaint is that there is just not enough time to see all the great bands and enable you to actually attend anything close to your "dream" schedule.

From my point of view, and I was never a huge Arctic Monkeys fan, the band's performance was good but nothing that would make me come back for more. The light show (heaps of strobes) was enough to excite even the most weary festival goer along with the drummer who did his best to deliver some passion, but overall the entire set failed to impress me. It lacked the passion that everyone knows I crave in my music. Not recommended.

Indy's Dream MFNW Schedule: (reverse order)

Saturday night

Wonder Ballroom

Nike Sportswear Presents

4:00 PM Mariachi El Bronx

5:30 PM The Bronx

7:00 PM F**ked Up

Friday Night:

Crystall Ballrom:

9:00 PM The Jealous Sound

10:00 PM Sunny Day Real-Estate

Berbati's Pan

Thursday Night:

Doug Fir

Scion/KEXP Stage

9:00 PM The Mint Chicks

10:00 PM Cymbals Eat Guitars

11:00 PM The Depreciation Guild

12:00 AM The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Wed Night:

Berbati's Pan

Pearl Vodka Stage.

SPIN MFNW 2009 PARTY.

8:00 PM Fences

9:00 PM Portland Cello Project

10:00 PM Damien Jurado

11:00 PM Will Sheff of Okkervil River

The Like

Reni's intro to the song, "The End"