Sasquatch 2012 is upon us. In a mere few hours, tens of thousands will descend upon the enchanted lands of Quincy, WA and the Gorge Amphitheater. While you’ve probably got a long list of acts you’re eager to catch, here’s a few bands that we recommend catching this year. Sure, Jack White will tear down the house. Yes, Tenacious D will have you in stiches while they rip it. And, of course, Jack White will be a real-life version of guitar hero. But budget some time to see a few of these lesser-known, but equally awesome, acts.
1. The Roots
Ah, the Roots. Hip-hop aficionados, Jimmy Fallon house band, Barack Obama’s bandmates, concept album masters and oh so much more. I’ve personally been waiting years to catch the Roots live at Sasquatch, and that dream has finally come true. May ?uestlove and the Roots deliver an epic set.
2. The Walkmen
The Walkman are like indie music’s San Antonion Spurs. Like Tim Duncan and Co, Hamilton Leithauser’s crew are so fundamentally sound and ontop of what they’re doing that it’s easy to forget how good they are. While not as flashy or out-spoken as other big-name acts, every year the Walkmen put out a new record it’s one of the year’s best. As the Walkmen’s new album Heaven is just arriving, look for their mastery of new material at Sasquatch. Stream “The House You Made” and “Southern Heart“
3. Gary Clark Jr.
I’m not sure if Gary Clark Jr is more akin to Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton. Regardless, he’s the closest thing to either I’ve ever seen in person. Nuff said.
4. Shabazz Palaces
As Damien Jurado epicly tweeted, “Shabazz Palaces – “Black Up” is to rap, what, John Coltrane’s – “A Love Supreme” and Sun Ra’s “Space Is The Place” was to jazz.”. #Truth, Mr Jurado. Seattle’s own Shabazz Palaces are pushing the frontiers of hip-hop and 206 music at large. Don’t miss them this year.
5. Damien Jurado
Speaking of Damien Jurado, one would be ill-advised to miss his set at Sasquatch this year. A late addition, Jurado’s name on the lineup was a very pleasant surprise. Riding the waves of his recent (and arguably most acclaimed) release Maraqopa, Damien’s a hometown hero with much to offer the PNW crowd of Sasquatch. If his Maraqopa release show at Neptune Theater was any indication, we’re in for a treat. Read our interview with Damien Jurado.
6. Allen Stone
Allen Stone is probably one of the least likely, but most awesome music stories of recent memory. Hailing from a small farm town in Northeastern Washington (which I worked in), Allen Stone has emerged as a neo-soul star. Without a record label or major backing, he’s sold out tours across the nation, played on Conan, and scored a hit with “Unware”. Allen is the perfect lawn-dancing act for your Sasquatch afternoon. Read our interview with Allen Stone.
7. Apparat
I stumbled upon Apparat at SXSW 2012 this year. About every artist we talked to mentioned the difficulty and fatigue of playing multiple shows back to back at SXSW, but Apparat’s performance ignored those facts. In fact, it was one of the better shows I was fortunate to catch at Austin’s famed festival. Don’t miss Apparat at Sasquatch!
8. Here We Go Magic
The NY Times recently compared Here We Go Magic to both Radiohead and Can. Those comparisons aside, Here We Go Magic have already created one of 2012’s most intricate, layered, art albums of the year. I, for one, can’t wait to see the live translation.
9. Gardens & Villa
Gardens & Villa are named after gardening. In our interview with Gardens & Villa, they noted how important nature was in their recording process and more specifically, how much lead singer Chris loved the PNW. So there may not be a more fitting band to soundtrack a sunny afternoon spent staring at the mighty Columbia than Gardens & Villa.
10. Metric
Anyone that caught Broken Social Scene at Sasquatch 2010 knows what kind of mind-fuck BSS band members are capable of creating in the live environment. And while BSS is on an indefinite hiatus, former member Emily Haines is plenty busy with her own project, Metric. They’ve got a new album coming out soon. Singles “Youth Without Youth” and “Speed the Collapse” were both incredible. Catch their set at Squatch.