Any indication one of my previous posts gave that the crowd was sparse was thrown out the window when Animal Collective took stage. The entire amphitheater from floor to crest was brimming. And with an incredibly loud electronic punch, the group pounded their collection of electronic equipment thrusting quickly into a selection from their latest album "Merriweather Post Pavilion."
But as much as I though I enjoyed them from their CDs, their live presence sent me packing, ears covered. Sonic experimentation is something you've gotta be in the mood for. And a giant festival where all I want to do is have a good time, they don't jive. It's one pulse pounding rhythm after another with only bits of coherence in a chorus shining through like a blip.
I'm clearly the minority here as the people shimmying all over the Gorge floor are obviously digging it. Especially a pretty sizable gang of guys I've seen all over the festival who are shirtless with their bodies painted with the lettering "Kings of Neon" — in of course neon paint. A not-so-subtle ode to tonight's headliners Kings of Leon.
Earlier DeVotchka, which I'd say plays a kinder, gentler version of Gogol Bordello's gypsy punk, put on a fantastic set. They mixed the fast and slow beautifully going from polka-type rhythms to straight forward violin-guitar-based folk tunes. The most eye-catching moments came while Jeanie Schroder played a tuba that was about twice her size.