ALL POINTS WEST - Friday July 31st 2009

So I've been away from MOG for quite some time but I return with today after a harrowing, crazy experience yesterday at All Points West in Liberty Island.

Amongst others, Friday's lineup for me consisted of:

Fleet Foxes

The National

Vampire Weekend

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Jay-Z

Seemed like APW was pretty well put together, plenty of bathrooms, concessions, info, etc. After coming off of 3 years of Lollapalooza, I have a standard in which I judge. I believe this is the 2nd APW festival and it was pretty sucessful. After checking out usual festival atmosphere of overpriced food and drinks, I headed to the stage. This was a no brainer for me, they were all playing on the major stage, one after the other. Figured I'd just camp it out and slowly work my way to the front or stay in my already close spot. I spent the show about the 2nd row from the metal barrier center stage.

Getting there early I had the opportunity to see 'Seasick Steve' which was definitely worth it. Entering with a bottle of Jack Daniels - or as he called "Tennessee Soda Pop," Seasick Steve is the epitomy of deep southern blues-esque rock and roller. Bearded with a John Deere hat (I think), you'd think he'd be driving an 18 wheeler. The band consisted of him, a guitar and a box that he stomped for a beat. Great southern twangy melodies and stories flowed from him. Though many of the songs had similar rhythms, they were all lively and excellent.

Next up, Fleet Foxes. What might look like a lumberjack collective is actually indie popular Fleet Foxes whose vocal efforts could impress the best of musicians. Beautifuly laced with percision and drive, Fleet Foxes put together a very nice set. As they played the storm sky turned from clear to dark cloud filled. As they played 'White Winter Hymnall' it started to rain. The drummer was fucking hilarious constantly cracking jokes. He said when the sky looked like impending doom, that it seemed like the group was a bunch of wizards predicting something bad in a dream and that he was going to leave the stage on a horse. Though that didsn't happed it was still a great performance.

Then the rain really started coming down.

It wasn't as bad before but now it was pouring. The National was getting ready to go. What followed was a wet but amazing show from a very talented group. Playing many songs from their most album "Boxer" the National really rocked the crowd, many of whom were all there for different groups. Matt Berininger's strong vocal work, with a multidue of instruments all culminated when Matt took the mic into the crowd (unfortunately to the left of where I was) and did the finale amongst us. I think he thought, we were all drenched, might as well put himself on the same level. Well whatever he was thinking, it worked. A passionate performance.

Now it was still pouring and we were getting cold. I mean, really pouring, not like a light drizzle, like buckets.

New York native Vampire Weekend comes up next. I think I was in a cesspool of Vampire Weekend fans screaming things like "Oh My God! I can see plaid!" Ok, now I listened to their CD before the big craze and I thought it was OK. Not trying to be a hater, but it's fun music and that's about it. So I was curious to see what kind of show they'd put on. Especially in the rain. It was alright, I know all the hardcore fans really enjoyed it. A lot of messy fun filled mud dancing ensued. The lead singer Ezra Koenig has quite some vocal talent even at times he was a bit cheesy during performance. The setlist included all the classics off the first CD and closed with an excellent "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa."

By the end of Vampire Weekend the rain had ceased. However, now we're just all shivering because we're freezing. Even surrounded by that many people, I can't reinforce how strong and cold the rain was. Though the rain had stopped now, real fans stayed.

After an eliaberate set up including a giant inflatable eye, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs played. Lead singer Karen O's extreme energy started when she entered wearing a what looked like a shredded Burqa. Opening with "Heads Will Roll" really got the crowd going and forgetting that we were all soaked and cold. A strong performance from another New York indie powerhouse. I missed them at Lollapalooza so I was really happy I got to see how great they are live.

Well clearly everyone that had waited this long was going to wait for Jay-Z. Aside from some obnoxious Jay-Z fans who thought they could push their way to the front after we had waited for over 6 hours, the crowd was still in good spirits. Most of the set changes between acts were on time but the one for Jay-Z took the longest. Replacing the Beastie Boys after member Adam Yauch, MCA had to undergo surgery and treatment for a cancerous tumour in his salivary gland, Jay-Z in his first festival appearence was a interesting replacement.

A 10 minute countdown preceded his entrance. A large band with 2 different drummers were in the back. A gigantic screen illuminated his music videos. Entering with the Beastie Boys classic "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" and Jay-Z being a Brooklyn native, the house was rockin. Jay-Z paid tribute (as did the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) to Adam Yauch saying that he and the group were pioneers and part of the reason that made what Jay-Z is doing possible. Following that, a kickin performance continued. Hands in the air and makin some noise was the majority of the night. Playing many clips from his songs, even a version of "Swagger Like Us" featuring an intro and then just his verse. A great encore included "Blue Print 3 Intro - Freestyle," "99 Problems," and "Big Pimpin."

Exhausted, wet, cold and tired, I trudged my way through the park that had now become a mud field. Everyone had some part of their body that had mud on it. A ferry ride back to NYC (btw, a major price fuck) was in store and then the subway. But though it is cliche, all I can say was that it was worth it.