Sasquatch! is bigger than ever this year with five stages and more than 100 bands playing during the four-day kickoff to Seattle’s summer concert season. Since it’s likely you’re already planning on watching Jack White, Beck, Pretty Lights and all the other big attractions on the main stage, here are five acts who aren’t on the main stage that should be on your radar this weekend.
Wild Flag Sunday, Bigfoot stage, 6:20-7:05
I’ve written about Wild Flag plenty previously, but in case you aren’t familiar you definitely don’t want to miss what is sure to be one of the best sets of the weekend.
Alabama Shakes Saturday, Bigfoot stage, 3-3:45
Alabama Shakes’ Boys and Girls is one of my favorite rock records of the year. They play straight-up good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll with Brittany Howard’s amazing pipes putting them light years above .
We Are Augustines Sunday, Yeti stage, 6-6:45
Anthemic and positive are the first few words that come to mind when I think about this Brooklyn band. They nearly stole the show from headliners Band of Skulls at the Neptune during their set last month and should go over tremendously well in the sunshine at the Gorge on Sunday.
Said the Whale Saturday, Yeit stage, 1:20-2:05
This Vancouver, B.C. band has been touring tirelessly for the past year and the band’s debut full-length Little Mountains is one of my sleeper contenders for record of the year.
Howlin Rain Sunday, Yeti stage, 2:25-3:10
Californian psych-based jam rock. That’s really all you need to know. Oh, and their most recent album, The Russian Wilds, was produced by some guy named Rick Rubin who I think knows a thing or two about good music.
