Well, we’re alive and made it through Friday of Sasquatch 2012. Thursday night’s caravan of arriving cars made it in soundly, everyone got settled and managed to work out the first day kinks. Friday started off with Mexicali-based Wheeler & Zander, with some soft and easy acoustic folk. A beautiful, sun-drenched lawn filled up with festival-goers while Allen Stone met all expectations and lit up the mainstage. Kudos to Allen for shrugging off the early spot and delivering a fantastically entertaining show. Of Monsters and Men took the main stage next and rode the buzz waves of their most recent album as a full crowd got behind their poignant rock. And note: they’re from Iceland. Many a folk was asking about their origins during the show.

Santigold took the main stage shortly there after, as the top lawn turned into a dance party not so different from the infamous hill dance party she started at her last visit to the Gorge in 2009. Santi’s done a great job customizing all aspects of her performance, down to the vibrant stage dancers attire. Anyhow, we said farewell to the first of several unbelievable sunsets the weekend will offer and made our way up to the Bigfoot stage to catch some of Mark Lanegan’s rock set. But the real treat of the day was–hands down–Explosions in the Sky. They’re well known and loved at the Gorge at this point. But their brilliantly beautiful set was far better than the last time I saw them, at Capitol Hill Block Party 2010. Which is saying a lot. I was amazed at the depth they brought out on their new material from the Take Care album. It was a stellar mix of nostalgic, post-rock pieces and their new work.

Alright, off to catch Pickwick opening up the day at the mainstage. Watch for real-time updates via our Twitter!

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