This year’s two-day Music Tastes Good festival, now in its third year, held again on long, narrow, comfortably laid out, slice of the Marina Green park alongside Shoreline Village in Downtown Long Beach, would appeared to have to been a success by most visible measures. While the Saturday and Sunday lineups were ostensibly headlined by closing sets by New Order and James Blake respectively, it was the daytime undercards of both days that made the a big impression–an eclectic, incredibly well curated mix of wide range of the possibilities of guitar-based songwriting.
Saturday’s 4-piece indie outfits Neighbor Lady, out of Atlanta, and Brooklyn’s Big Thief, brought uptempo folk-adjacent rock with honeyed female vocals and bright, occasionally loud scratchy guitar work. Big Thief in particular impressed; frontwoman Adrianne Lenker (who just released her first solo LP under her own name, abysskiss) must be included in mentions of today’s best singer-songwriters, with her uncanny knack for hooks. Her “Masterpiece” and “Shark Smile” might be the most memorable tunes of the weekend.
L.A. was represented with strong showings from gals FEELS channeling some vintage Doors jamming and X’s melodic punk, and all-around indie pop from Cherry Glazerr. Both are ready for the next level. Clementine Creevy of Cherry Glazerr in particular has honed her act–rock star shredding on guitar along with a very accessible pop sound in this year’s new tune “Juicy Socks.”
Where: Pico Rivera Sports Arena and Grounds
When: Saturday, October 20th
Tickets: GA ($99), VIP 1 ($199), and VIP 2 ($399)
Lineup: Gorillaz, Erykah Badu, The Internet, DRAM, Tony Allen, Little Simz, Kilo Kish, Ana Tijoux, YOTA, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Las Cafeteras, and Chulita Vinyl Club
Demon Dayz Festival LA | demondayzfestla.com
Music Tastes Good | mtglb.co
[Full Gallery with More Photos from Sunday…]
Music Tastes Good | mtglb.co
[Full Gallery with More Photos from Saturday…]
