The Shins

The Shins were ultimately what pushed me off the fence in terms of purchasing an Outside Lands ticket, though I’d never heard anything about their live performances before. I wasn’t really expecting much because I’d remembered hearing some recordings that weren’t particularly stunning. It was more that I felt obligated to see them, having been a fan for years. Judging by the size of the crowd, I wasn’t the only one that felt that way. Needless to say they far exceeded my expectations. They have great stage presence; James Mercer is such a talented musician. They played just about everything I was hoping they would, except for “Turn On Me” but hey, I think I’ll live.

The Black Keys

We stuffed ourselves in the heart of the Lands End main stage to catch these guys in their entirety, the way it should be done. After a less than favorable review of their performance at Coachella, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The Black Keys came out and played one of the most raw sets I’ve ever seen. Dan Auerbach (guitars/vocals) came out with a look in his eye that wreaked of satisfaction. Ten years in the game and they held down the stage like their career depended on it. Pat Carney played the drums with such angst that had him dripping with sweat when they closed. The live show changed everything, even when I thought I couldn’t like them anymore than I already did.

Deadmau5

Finally back in the mau5 hut after a year and a half since I had seen him last. After all the hype and videos surfacing around the web I had to ensure a good spot to make sure my brain melts proper. Deadmau5 is on tour almost every night, flying around the world from one show to another. Yet he still has the energy and poise to come out and have fun with the crowd. So fun to watch and even more fun to dance to. His sets are always packed with the future of mau5 and everything you want to hear from before.

Ty Segall

Ty was stuffed on the smaller stage of the four, but he played like a headliner and got the crowd response to match. I lost control and ran into the pit after that video to crowd surf and pay my respects to the legend. Hadn’t done that in years and I don’t know why! But that’s just the effect they had on me that day. His live shows are always action packed, and this one proved to be no different. Definitely cool to see him get such a response in his hometown. We got ‘hella’ love for Ty Segall. Oh and I’m really starting to think they actually spelled his name wrong on the poster haha. Two L’s bro.

Foster the People

I almost instantly fell in love with Foster the People when their EP came out earlier this year and was really bummed when I missed them at Coachella. I even sat through Tinie Tempah (worst performance I have ever experienced) to see them but still missed it. All I can say is seeing them at OSL definitely made up for missing them at Coachella and might have actually made up for Tinie Tempah. If I didn’t love them before seeing them live, I do now. Their performance was spot on and so much fun.

STS9

Sound Tribe Sector 9 just sounded like a cool name before I got to witness all their glory live. They’ve made the bill of lots of major festivals around the world and their live show was held to much critical acclaim from anyone that’s seen them. They concocted a combination of electro in a sort of Glitch Mob way with psychedelic guitar riffs as they jammed through the whole set. Lots of funky tunes with a hip hop feel that had everyone dancing to the beat of their crazy drummer! Really sweet stuff. Must see!

The Vaccines

The Vaccines have been on tour with Arctic Monkeys and have quickly become one of my favorite breakout bands from 2011 thus far. Their debut album What Did You Expcect from The Vaccines? embodies just what makes British rock really cool and I can’t really think of another way to put it. I expect big things from them in the future because they possess a lot of power and talent. Buzzing guitar, drowning reverb and bouncing beats make for a great live performance. I would go so far as to say they are better live than on record. I’m just sad I missed them performing “Post Break-Up Sex.”

Arcade Fire

I left the glory that is Deadmau5 early in order to see Arcade Fire. They are another band I intended to see yet missed at Coachella this year (I grudgingly recall being dragged out early just as they were playing “Keep the Car Running) so I wasn’t about to miss them again. And I don’t for a second regret leaving Deadmau5, as great as his set was. Arcade Fire are absolutely brilliant performers; another band that sounds even better live than on record. I feel like I forged a different sort of relationship with their music after hearing it live/witnessing their on-stage energy and incredible synergy. They have a really great way of incorporating their audience in their performers. Being there during “Wake-Up” with the whole crowd singing along was almost an otherworldly experience.

MUSE

I have no words for Muse. it was hands down the best performance I have ever experienced. Between the band members’ total synergism and the light show, Muse was worth the price of the ticket. I’m not usually one for light shows, I think they can be pretty tacky but what they had going on was something else. As if they needed anything to enhance the raw energy and musical brilliance they bring to the stage. I definitely got the chills several times during their performance. They left the stage at what appeared to be the end of the show but came back to play “Plug In Baby” and “Knights of Cydonia”–probably the best encore I could think of. Utter brilliance is the best way I can describe their live performance. Cheers.

Love,
Skinny Genes & Witler