Concert Fri Sep 03 2010

North Coast Festival Sunday Picks

By Lisa White

The last day of a festival is always a little bittersweet. You're tired, possibly sunburned and/or dehydrated, and part of you wants it to be over. But at the same time you don't want it to end. The hours spent basking in the sun with good music as your soundtrack, nodding to the fellow festival goers you keep running into, consuming the same outdoor festival nosh from the day before. And since North Coast is the last big destination style festival of the summer season, it means we're coming to a close on the last few weeks of summer. So enjoy your last day in Union Park, and check out some of our favorite picks of the day.

If you're a fan of the ambient styling of Thom Yorke's solo work, then check out Chicago based band Loyal Divide first thing Sunday at the Groupon stage. Their bare bones noisy sound has traces of Flying Lotus as well, and I hear they put on a pretty energetic live set, so its a perfect start to your day. After, make your way over to the Coast stage and catch another local act, Maps and Atlases, and their brand of jangly folk tinged indie pop.

Head over next to the North stage and catch the breathy dream pop duo Phantogram. They're airy chilled sound has an underlying electronic back beat pulsing through it, all while staying incredibly comforting and sexy in delivery. Phantogram is another act at North Coast that is a perfect fit for a lazy sunny afternoon. Stick around at the stage and dance out of the dreamy state Phantogram put you in with Holy Ghost! Their signed to DFA label (the main man behind LCD Soundsystem is in brainchild behind DFA), and opened for LCD Soundsystem when they played the Metro a few months ago, so that gives you an idea of the musical circle they run with. The music is kissed with a hint of disco, and will surely shoot some energy your way.

Make your way over to the Groupon stage next and catch some throwback to the old school soul with Mayer Hawthorne. If you love a man who sings like he wishes he was a member of The Chi-Lites, then Mayer Hawthorne is for you. Want to add something a bit experimental and frenzied to your afternoon? Then head back over to North stage next and check out Flying Lotus. The music can be eerie at times, foreboding electronic samples mixed together in a spooky infectious way. It's interesting, and worth making your way over to check out.

The end of the night is all about hip-hop, starting with Lupe Fiasco over at the Groupon stage. The hometown boy always puts on a great show for his Chicago crowds, so expect lots of finesse and a smooth flow, and I'm guessing Chicagoan Matt Santos will hit the stage with him during his hit "Superstar." That song alone is worth checking out his set. After Lupe, end your night with another dose of hip-hop over at the North Stage. Nas and Damian Marley will dish out their collaborative work to end the weekend, with Nas's style of hip-hop backed by a light blend of reggae beats.

North Coast Festival is this weekend, September 3rd, 4th, and 5th in Union Park. Weekend passes are sold out but individual tickets are still available. Check out their site for all the festival details and to purchase tickets, and keep checking back all weekend for coverage from the festival here on Gapers Block.