Ed. Note: It's Memorial Day weekend. It's Sasquatch. It's good times. And Red Williamson is there. The Weekly Volcano sent Olympian Red Williamson of newspinphoto.com to Sasquatch! Festival 2013. As you can see below, it was a wise choice on our part. For the third day in a row he has submitted amazing photos from the festival. Williamson brought his wife, Rachel, and friend, Matt Guile, along. Rachel files the report below on Day Three action from The Gorge.
It's Day Three of the Sasquatch!, and this festival at The Gorge has certainly met all of our expectations and more. This landscape is full of diversity, almost like a small city - an incredibly unique gathering of different people and music. It's obvious this radical experience would never be a reality without a massive crew of people behind-the-scenes. It has been a real treat to watch humanity come together in so many ways.
Capital Cities was our first stop of Day Three, and they set a happy tone for our day with uplifting, electronic pop rock. Their songs are full of heart, and impossible not to dance to. Capital Cities' hit song "Safe and Sound" had the crowd on their feet.
Deep Sea Diver's uniquely crafted sound of pop and guitar rock was another positive way for us to kick off Day Three.
We also enjoyed Colyn Cameron, the singer/songwriter of Wake Owl, and the way he harnessed genuine emotion through his music.
>>> Chalkboard VW Bus, photo credit: Red williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> Happy couple, photo credit: Red williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> Young and old, photo credit: Red williamson/Newspin Photo
Meanwhile, Seattle rapper XPerience was commanding the Cthultu stage with Big World Breaks and DJ Lord Knock. His set was full of new music from his soon-to-be-released album, The Revelations [EP]. One of our highlights from XP's show was his cover of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun," which received a positive reaction from the crowd. The song revealed XP's versatility - he smoothly bridged the gap between hip-hop and rock.
Sean Nelson put on an excellent show.
We loved the harmonies and catchy songs from Torche, a band that has been described as "stoner pop."
Kingdom Crumbs was great as well, along with Hundred Waters, a band currently touring with The xx.
We loved Radical Face and his way of telling stories before songs, and rapper El-P who performed on the Honda Bigfoot stage.
>>> XPerience, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> Deep Sea Diver, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> Earl Sweatshirt crowd, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> Earl Sweatshirt, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> Grimes, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
The Newspin Team had the opportunity to see Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros twice - an afternoon set in the acoustic, "End Session" tent, and their evening performance on the main stage. Both shows were fantastic and packed with feel-good energy.
The lively duo Shovels & Rope caused a fantastic musical commotion.
Rapper Earl Sweatshirt received a lot of attention from the crowd as well with his killer set.
Atlanta, Georgia rapper Killer Mike left it all on the Yeti stage.
Grimes' blew us away with her expressive, mystical, new age pop.
>>> Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> The Presets crowd, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> The Presets, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
>>> Primus, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
Hands down, one of our favorite shows of the night was Mumford & Sons. Their infectious folk music struck a raw, human chord with the audience, immediately bringing thousands of people to their feet. Impressively, in the softer moments, they were even able to bring the massive crowd down to a whisper. Long glowing lights shone out toward the crowd in "Awake My Soul," visually representing the connection that night between the artists and the fans. Lead singer Marcus Mumford described his Sasquatch experience like heaven on earth, and later expressed gratitude to the crowd, saying, "Your country has been very good to us. You make us feel like it's home."
Day Three certainly ended with a bang in the wee hours. We were amazed at the twisted electronic pop of The Presets and the magnificent theatrics of Primus' 3D show.
>>> Mumford & Sons, photo credit: Red Williamson/Newspin Photo
Amazingly enough, we even had the time to interview more artists on Sunday. Keep your eyes peeled for our conversations with XPerience, Chad Moses (with To Write Love On Her Arms), Sean Nelson, Nissim and Radical Face.
Check back tomorrow to experience Day Four of Sasquatch! 2013 with Newspin Photo.
LINK: Many, many more photos from Sasquatch! Festival, Day Three
LINK: Words and photos from Sasquatch! Festival 2013, Day Two
LINK: Words and photos from Sasquatch! Festival 2013 Day One