Sasquatch 2011 Wish List

Editor’s note: This is Ethan Maffey’s first post for Bent. He’ll be writing once a week or so about music from the Northwest and beyond, but you can also catch him over at his own website, eightythreemusic.com.

The lineup announcement for the 10th anniversary edition of the Pacific Northwest’s premier outdoor music festival is just around the corner… and I’ve got some pointless wishes. Pointless, because invitations to this year’s Sasquatch Festival are signed-sealed-delivered and mostly accepted by now. Still, a guy can dream. While some of my wish list groups might not make the cut this year, I’m sure I’ll still have a great time (though should an overnight river of irrigation run-off appear under my tent again, having these bands on the bill will make me care about it a lot less).
The wish list kicks off with two bands who are *tops* on my list to see in 2011. First up, Los Angeles based, righteous soul group Fitz and The Tantrums, have certainly been getting noticed since their debut album, Pickin’ Up The Pieces released last summer. (Perhaps you caught them on Jimmy Kimmel a few days ago). Riding the popularity wave of artists like Mayer Hawthorne, Aloe Blacc, and John Legend, Fitz and The Tantrums are currently touring and selling out shows. What I find interesting is that their current calendar of concert dates ends mid-February. Could this mean they will take a short break before announcing a summer tour that kicks off with a Sasquatch performance? Let’s hope so!

For now… check out the video for their hit dance groove MoneyGrabber, and here is a link to stream their entire album. Should you find MoneyGrabber as irresistible as I do, there’s also the ability to download it for free!

The second artist whom I’m not just wishing for… but boldly predicting an appearance by, is my Swedish crush, Lykke Li. I’ve been following her since before she even had an album out and fall more in love every time I see her. The fact that she is performing on May 28^th at Portland’s Wonder Ballroom is (in my mind) almost a guarantee that she will be at Sasquatch this year, as artists who play the festival, typically schedule other Portland, Seattle, and even Bend shows during Memorial Day weekend. Lykke Li also has a new album coming out in March, which enhances the chances we will see her at The Gorge. If you’d like to see just why I love this girl so much… the guys over at Black Cab Sessions have an amazing acoustic performance of hers and I strongly suggest you check this video out.

I will post again next week with two more bands I am hoping to see at Sasquatch this year. I can hardly stand the wait and since the announcement is coming on February 7, I won’t have to wait much longer.