By Kris-Ann Panzella
I am so torn right now. I received an e-mail last week announcing this summer’s second annual All Points West Festival and I’m not too psyched about it. Last year when I got word of the lineup I nearly peed my pants. The build up from the time I got my tickets until August was intense, and I was really psyched.
Then the festival lived up to my expectations because, let’s be honest, seeing Kings of Leon and Radiohead perform a ridiculously awesome set in one day is pretty much a religious experience.
The festival did have it’s downfalls for the less daring. For instance if you were not as ballsy as me, you would have paid 8 bucs to sip on a light beer in a corralled section for alcohol nowhere near any of the three stages. But if you were me, you would have worn paper bag shorts and strategically harnessed several bottles of booze to your legs. But it was not all fun and games for me; I too was included in the crazy public transportation route of train, path, subway, yada yada yada. I was also one of the thousands on what seemed like a death march in the August sun light to actually get from the Light Rail station to the festival grounds. But again, the music made up for it. It was such an awesome show with so many amazing artists to check out.
So, you can imagine how excited I was when I saw the e-mail in my inbox announcing the line up. But really I’m at a loss. Let’s discuss:
Day one the Beastie Boys are headlining…okay that’s legit. There are some other legit acts as well like The National and Pharcyde, but there are also some randoms in there. For instance, Q-Tip. With all due respect, what is he doing there? The College Humor crew is also on the bill, but let’s be honest I love their website and hate their tv show, so where does that leave a performance by them at a music festival.
Day two. All I have to say is one word: Tool. What the hell is that about!?!?! It’s a shame because I would have hit day two up for the Arctic Monkeys and the lovely Neko Case. That day will surely turn out to be strange since the different acts draw different crowds. It will be like walking on Mars.
Day three has a lot of potential. You got MGMT who everyone seems to like now, including myself sometimes. You also have the Black Keys who are amazing. But then to throw it off they put Coldplay in there.
Last year the headliners were Radiohead, and this year Coldplay. Like that is supposed to be of equal value, I think not. I can’t help but be disappointed. I like Coldplay, don’t get me wrong, but they are not a festival act. Nobody should be forced to see them unless they paid tickets to go to a Coldplay show.
Overall I’m frowning at this three day show. But I had so much fun last year that I want to believe. I mean look how much fun I’m having in the picture below. Help make a believer of me and convince me that this year’s line up for All Points West isn’t bull shit.
Good Times!
to each their own 