Went to Virgin Festival this weekend. To say it was mind-blowing is an understatement of the highest degree. Both days were excruciatingly wonderful and it's just tragic that they ended. (Can you tell I'm in a poetic mood?)
Day 1: Fratellis started us off with an amazing set, even though I was sad that I missed the Fast Romantics. Listened to a bit of Secret Broadcast, then lunch consisting of surprisingly good fries and Pepsi. Much too hot to actually eat. Carolina Liar was next. They were alright, bit shaky. Time to wait for their autographs and dance around to Corb Lund (gag), then time for Three Days Grace. I've come to like them now. After getting their autographs, time for the Flaming Lips. How do you spell PSYCHEDELIC? Wayne Coyne (is that it?) surfed the crowd in a huge bubble while 20 people dressed as Teletubbies danced onstage. I hadn't heard much of TFL before, but it was amazing. Something worth keeping an eye on. I wish so much that I could have bought one of their shirts (they say legalise marijuana on the back in Russian), but they ran out. Much too soon for us, the day was nearing an end and we had to leave in the middle of Stone Temple Pilots. I like a certain description of Scott Weiland (?): "arrogant and cocky, lean, mean, and serpentine". It really fits him, I think.
Day 2: Raining in the morning, but apparently it hadn't in Fort Calgary, where everything was as dry as good humour. Attack In Black was our first show to go to, and we just sat there, taping Free Hugs papers to our chests and backs. After that we saw the Whitsundays and bit of the Spades, Stars was alright too. Ten Second Epic... hot. My main attraction (in more ways than one) was City and Colour at 5.10 pm. I will always remember that time. His voice is spectacular; I'm struggling for description of its effect on me. Every song, absolutely EVERY SINGLE SONG I was holding back tears. I didn't dare try and speak or I would have given myself away. During an impromptu "snack" we listened to the only hip-hop artist on the roster: Cadence Weapon. What a brave soul he was. You couldn't say he didn't have stage presence. Only he could have pulled off "I made a deal today - I'M SELLING REAL ESTATE!"
After cooling off with CW, the New Pornographers helped us wade back into familiar, comfortable waters with their slightly poppy sound. It was good enough to hold us until our friend was meeting us for the Tragically Hip Concert. I've never been a tremendous fan of the Hip, and I can't say that the concert converted me. It was still great fun to see the lead singer's antics, though. He must really dislike microphone stands, or else hold them below every other thing on this planet.
As for today, back to school for the second-last of four 1.5 hour segments, and the dramatic contrast struck me in the face repeatedly. Mostly everyone (excluding a few) is so mind-numbingly boring, I think I finally realised how much I truly despise school.
But overall, this past weekend gave the real definition of summer. Forwards we will go.
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