Brian Jonestown Massacre

Anton Newcombe is a big jerk. At least according to anyone who has met him or seen the DiG! doc. Uninitiated Monolith attendees probably think the same. While tuning his guitar the sideburntastic frontman of BJM got into it with his band and yelled - "Give me a fucking D!" Turned to the crowd and continued, "Shut up, I'm doing this for you." Then he blabbed about how great this festival was and that its for real people, not balding old men. Something like that. They may or may not have also played songs during this trainwreck.

White Rabbits

White Rabbits and their dual drumming rhythmic powerhouse brought the house down. According to the WOXY dude, "best band of the weekend."

Art Brut

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I spotted a sans Ms Frederica Feedback Art Brut checking out the BJM debacle earlier in the day and said hello. Later I regretted not asking them what they thought of it. Argos' stage shtick remains lively as ever, providing relief for those who thought his clever-dumb powers resided in the now shaved moustache. "Good Weekend" included the apropos improvised lyrics "dancing, get drunk, and fall in love...in a beautiful location."

Spoon

This was my first Spoon show and I was really digging it. I know they have their share of detractors calling them boring live, but I just don't see it. Tightly played, great pop songs, and an amazing singer. What more can you ask for? I got chills during the following verse from "A beast and Dragon, Adored":

I got a feelin it don't come cheap
I got a feelin oh and then it got to me
It took its time a-working into my soul
I got to believe it come from rock and roll

Britt Daniel surprised me when this summer's indie-hit "Underdog" was preceded with "this is a song about warmongers." Never thought of it that way, but makes sense.

Flaming Lips

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Since the 2004 edition of Coachella when Wayne Coyne debuted the spacebubble, an unwritten rule of rock festivals was written and the Flaming Lips have never had a conventional tour since. They are the quintessential festival band - colorful, trippy, full of props, a complete spectacle. I just wish they played more variety and chilled with the reminders of our braindead president. It's getting redundant fellas. Your not telling me anything I don't already know. How about a full show of Yoshimi from beginning to end instead?

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** ** **

See you next year Monolith. I can be hired as a consultant if interested. Maybe produce a Merry Swankster side stage with only Spencer Krug bands? Gotta admit, it'd be awesome...

[Saturday was a beautiful clear day. Denver can clearly be seen in the distance. If you squint really hard, Nebraska and France.]