Make Music Pasadena 2012

Quick post on Make Music Pasadena 2012...


Holy hotdog - I don't even know where to start.

SoKo

Stéphanie Sokolinski, stage name, SoKo, is a French musician and actress who has played numerous sold out shows in just about everywhere except America - surprise. I can't get enough of her. Her raspy, captivating voice makes even drugs and breakups sound sexy and seductive. She maintains an unpredictable stage presence, dashing back and forth between screaming a solo session on the drums, dancing around center stage, and giggling alien noises into the mic. It was like giving a 9-year-old condensed sugar water and watching them entertain a crowd full of adults. She's not afraid of being weird. It's all kinds of awesome. Did I mention that she was also nominated for a César Award as best actress for her role in the French film, 'À l'origine'?  Can I be her?

 Cults

Swoon. Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin make a killer duo, and write the most fun songs to sing along to. They are hands down my favorite band of the summer and I'm pretty sure I've listened to 'Go Outside' on my way to work for the past 6 weeks in a row now. I have a feeling they have a bright future ahead. Cults-4-Eva.

Grimes

Who know that Grimes was this cool? I mean, I knew she was cool but did I know that people would be breaking into the parking structure next door to get a glimpse of her iconic hot pink cropped bangs on set? No. Claire Boucher hosted the biggest surprise of the Music Fest for me. The streets were flooded with fans for as far as I could see from the top of the parking garage. At one point, the force of the crowd against the barricades had me convinced that at any minute, the entire audience would spill onstage and take over her. Even the security guard ran away in terror. (I specifically remember this happening in an episode of The Walking Dead and it didn't end well). From what I could vaguely hear of her set, she was great. Then the cops kicked us out of the garage and that's where this story ends.

Grouplove

Unimpressed. Except for that one catchy song that's on the radio all the time. To be fair, the crowd absolutely loved them, and it was by far the most packed performance of the Fest, initiating the grand finale.

hollaaaa.