Siren Festival Recap, TnT @ Maxwell's

"I Hate Tapes," the buttons read. Everyone has an opinion on Tapes 'n Tapes. Some had buttons, others has frowns of skepticism, glowering How dare you like this band. Fans "Hate Tapes." Unfans don't understand the appeal. They glower.

Or at least I imagine they do. Josh Grier led us through a sudden 30 minute set -the exact same 30 minutes that it sprinkled cool raindrops from the heavens. Short and sweet. That's how I like my rock, rain, and rollercoasters. The performace was decent, relying on the strong songwriting, but it wasn't their best. They haven't yet mastered the magic of shrinking a crowd of thousands into an intimate and unique experience.

It was the only performance I managed to see at the Main Stage all day. I spent most of my time in the beer line, bathroom line and at the Stillwell Stage where the speakers and mix was just godawful: absurdly loud and unbalanced. Man Man were awesome as usual, but the mic's on the drums dominated. The Cribs were also as good as I remember, but they were quickly outdone once Art Brut took the spotlight.

Art Brut is the supernova of performers. They are the stellar explosion that out shines all others in the universe, and no matter how many times you've seen it, it makes everyone rock out. It was they tenth show in eight months in NYC, and already the fifth I've seen. I'd hate to be the band that plays afterwards. Sorry, Stars, but you couldn't hold your own on this one.

I so badly wanted to see the Scissor Sisters, and should have found a way -there's always a way- to push forward over at the Main Stage. But we were already close for Stars, and I like Stars, and they should have been great, but but but... they were just.. just ok. The DJ rubbed salt in our eyes by played "Filthy Gorgeous" however. That was nice.

Charles, Marty, Suellen, Ang, and I stayed at Astroland playing games for quite a while winning prizes, tickets, memories. I blew all my cash on skeeball and Charles bought me a a round or two of a game... one where he won a doll we named Skanky Hoe Candi, and another where I won a rainbow beast we called Marty Dusty.

Quick Note: Tapes 'n Tapes at Maxwell's ruled. They were in top form and as good if not better than their small club shows back in January. Glad to see them rock out and the crowd really into it. We all hate tapes.