As I hiked my way to the last of my Sasquatch! 2011 sets, I could hear Wilco at my back, Deerhunter on my side and Major Lazer up ahead. It was a bittersweet moment, because as incredible as all three sounded at that moment, I knew it would be my last exposure to the sweet bands Sasquatch! had brought to the festival this year. I also knew I would only hear a few songs from Major Lazer before I had to exit for my late-night trip back to Portland, and I was devastated I couldn’t throw myself as much into their performance as I wanted to.
Not surprisingly, the DJ duo packed a heavy punch into the couple of songs I got to hear. First it was with a funky remix of Ace of Base’s “All That She Wants,” one that made me actually appreciate that song for a minute. The next mixed “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” over Major Lazer’s own “Pon De Floor,” the electro-marching track that first introduced me to them. It was a terrifically appropriate combination of songs, and since I couldn’t see the stage or what was really going on, I was content in recalling the imagery from the first song’s appearance in Beetlejuice, to which the mix complemented perfectly.
Major lasers, neon in color, were literally blasting from the stage all the while, and it encouraged the crowd to keep themselves moving. I saw so many innocent, preppy kids dancing like they’d been raving all of their lives, and it just offered a reminder that anything goes at the festival. It was tough to walk away from such a magnetic set, but I was ecstatic to hear the Major Lazer bass drops continue on much of my walk back to the campsite. Another great closing to another great Sasquatch! experience.
