Another LouFest is in the history books! With 40-some acts converging in Forest Park for the two-day festival, St. Louis' music fans had plenty to keep them singing and dancing throughout this past weekend.
RFT Music sent several operatives into the field, tasked with watching and listening and cataloging and reviewing the festivities for you, dear readers. Click here to see our full coverage!
Portugal. the Man
Before Portugal. the Man played, NWA's "Fuck tha Police" blasted over the PA, casting its furrowed brow over the audience. It tucked the crowd into pockets of thought. As we recounted our feelings for Ferguson's trials and Mike Brown's place in history, the screams for Portugal. the Man died. For all the spoils of LouFest -- its great weather, escapes from reality, soiled shoes and sweaty shoulders -- we were reminded that something much bigger than St. Louis' biggest rock festival percolates within Missouri's borders. It escapes into our nation and seeps into the collective conscious. We go to these festivals to party, to see favorites musicians...but we should not forget the world is much bigger than Forest Park.
As if to assist in wide-ranged thought, Portugal. the Man opened with Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall." Bassist Zach Carothers was handed vocal duty and rumbled through the track like an overcast sky. Assisted by a roadie, he took shots of Jack Daniels while John Gourley, dressed like Freddie Mercury does Bruce Lee, helped out with vocals and guitar. "Purple Yellow Red and Blue" followed as the audience members lifted water bottles -- their contents' colors spanning a rainbow of whiskey, water and juice -- and refracted the cloudless sky above. Portugal. the Man did not appear aware of the heat.
Keyboardist/guitarist Kyle O'Quin's keys were played so well that it sounded like you were sitting across a table from him. The effect was that of a fingertip tracing the wet lip of a wineglass. The band tuned down as the solo keys interlude ushered in the second half of its set. A darker middle section followed, and was guided by another cover. "Don't Look Back in Anger" was right in Portugal. the Man's wheelhouse. Clearly comfortable with Oasis' original composition, Portugal. the Man's sometimes scattered style was warmed by Oasis' sweet dream of peace. It was a ripe note to begin the end of Loufest.
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