Free Press Summer Fest brought it!

By: Z

I played sick on June 5th and 6th at work so i could go to the Festival, the heat was terrible even though i was wearing sunblock but hey! we're in Texas and great shows awaited. The Festival was amazing!! The Line up was great awesome artists from local bands to well known around the country and Europe rocked Eleanor Tinsley Park like it had never been before.

I barely made it to Medeski Martin and Wood who started the party with a much different sound than before while almost at the same time Houston-based Perseph1 (have a listen www.myspace.com/perseph1) was rocking the 29-95 stage. Yokomono, representing my hood, jammed their tunes while everyone dance to them, I'm glad i got to see Shina Rae at the KTRU Stage, i didn't wanna miss her. One of the things i loved was to see The wild Moccasins, which is one of my favorite local bands sharing the stage with Ra Ra Riot followed by every one's favorite Kid Sister at the Main Stage. Girl Talk was insane, we all got on the stage and danced, toilet paper everywhere, his set included Ciara's "My Goodies" Gun's n Roses "Paradise City" and Dr. Dre's "Next Episode" At one point Gillis aka Girl Talk lost his shirt, got on the DJ table and said "Houston dance or go home" the crowd went crazy trying to keep up with Gillis losing more than their shirts.

New bands i enjoyed: The Eastern sea.

All time favorite djs: Fat Tony, Squincy Jones, Fixture, Damon Allen, Fredster, Grrrl Parts and Dayta.

We had a blast on Sunday, people spread picnic blankets over the hillside to enjoy post-rock band Lymbyc System at the Main Stage following Uh huh her, which  I've always liked playing at the Main Stage, it didn't rain but poured during Lucero's performance. Canadian band Stars had the stage full of white roses while they play new tunes to promote their coming album "The 5 ghosts".  

The "special guest" was Bun B and Slim Thug although we already knew this weeks before the festival, they surprised us with the performance they put on, showing why they're Houston's underground kings. Their show lasted an hour, Slim thug starting off with "Yo it's hot as fuck but i came to party" pimping out the stage with "i ain't heard of that" "Thug from around the way" and of course "Three Kings" which fit perfect to a transition, Bun B's set was next, he's a local artist supporter, he shows up at any hip hop gig in town and people still can't believe he's there. He performed songs like "Big Pimping" and "International Players Anthem"

Flaming Lips was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. what a show! We all know about their shows, right? If you don't let me describe it to you, there are always psychedelic lights, bubbles and confetti with drug-free and drugged fans having a blast jamming to songs like "The Fear" dancing among balloons, what i had no idea of was the way they were gonna get on the stage in which was coming out of a woman's womb and Houston welcomed them excited to see them play. It had been 10 years since The Flaming Lips last came to town.

The Lips played "Worm Mountain" to open their set and suddenly there we were from confetti cannons, to humongous balloons in which Wayne got in and walked over the crowds hands, bear costumes and dozens of dancers. They also played old tunes like "In the morning of the magicians" The Lips front man asked the crowd to feel love in the air and smoke weed, apologizing for their 10 year absence. People actually played an important part while the Lips performed "I can be a frog" making animal noises to break out with laser giant hands for "The Science of sleep" to close the show with "Do you realize" Eleanor Tinsley filled with confetti, everyone came together, what a way to close the two day festival.

New band crush: The Manichean

Local band favorite of all times: Tax the wolf.

Band we wanted to perform at FPSF: The Live Lights

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                        The Manichean at FPSF '10

I've been to many festivals and I'm so glad Free Press Summer Fest didn't disappoint me, even though it rained, mostly on the second day and we became mud-people the festival was amazing, local bands playing next to the best, the shows were on time, stages were on point and food and drink vendors were everywhere. I'm glad to know Houston wants good shows!

Pictures by Breakfast on tour