August 13, 2008

All Points West

All summer lead up to last Friday night. A long summer of being at home and away from the city had been too much for me to handle, but on my last day as a teenager I made up for it. Friends from home and school all gathered together at Liberty State Park for the first day of the first ever All Points West festival. Despite the stellar headliner that was Radiohead, the rest of the fest left people wanting a little more. The location was beautiful yet difficult to get to, the rest of the bands were alright, and the festival just seemed to be a little under prepared. However I still had an excellent time.

The day began with Mates of State, who I have never listened to, but have heard quite a lot about. While I enjoyed their set and wished I had known some of the songs since they seemed really good, I was very distracted with trying to eat a quesadilla, rain, and wind. Nature did not seem to be on my side. Despite the weather the band held out and played their whole set. Fortunately seeing this show allowed me to get the very front position for Grizzly Bear who came on next. These guys were excellent. The band I was most looking forward to see all day did not disappoint. The harmonies, guitar work, and perfection drumming sounded great live. The band even played an astounding four new songs during the set as well as classics such as "Knife" "Little Brother (electric)" and "On A Neck, On A Spit." Whenever these new tunes get recorded and released I'll be very excited.

We took a little break after Grizzly Bear and chilled near some art while we enjoyed CSS from outside the crowd. These guys put on a great show. The costumes were great and the energy was strong. They even got us moving during "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above." After their set we moved over to the main stage to claim our spots for Radiohead. During the process we were able to catch the last half hour of Underworld, however our energy was consumed for the spectacle we were about to witness. Taking the stage about five minutes late was about the only flaw Radiohead performed that night. The set list was phenomenal. Pretty much every track from In Rainbows and all the other albums packed in between. Even though I had seen these guys before this show was still breathe taking. The lights alone would have made the experience worth it. The LED rods that seemed to show every color in the spectrum at some point in the show were hypnotizing. The band was perfect. They played the classics and took them to a whole new level. The greatest band in the world playing with the New York City skyline in the background was the perfect way to end my teenage years.

setlist:
01. 15 Step
02. There There
03. Morning Bell
04. All I Need
05. Lucky
06. Nude
07. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
08. The Gloaming
09. Optimistic
10. Videotape
11. Reckoner
12. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13. You And Whose Army?
14. Idioteque
15. Climbing Up The Walls
16. Bodysnatchers
17. How To Disappear Completely
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18. House of Cards
19. Pyramid Song
20. Paranoid Android
21. Dollars and Cents
22. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
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23. Cymbal Rush
24. Just
25. Everything In It's Right Place

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