If the music of the weekend hinted at one decade more than any other, it would have been the ‘80s. And if there was a place more bands came from than any other, it would be Canada. Wolf Parade fit both of these labels better than anyone else at Sasquatch!, and I can guarantee this got them mad love from most fans at the festival - particularly the gigantic Canadian contingent. On stage, the band laced synth-heavy tracks and aching vocals to their uptempo songs, and for a minute I thought it was 1984. This also may have been one of the last shows the group plays together, as they announced last year they were going on indefinite hiatus, and would only be playing a few shows in 2011.
Wolf Parade was probably ecstatic at getting a chance to close their career with such a performance at Sasquatch!, especially since this marked the first time they have played the festival. They definitely rose to the occasion, delivering a set full of commanding songs plucked from each of their albums. “Shine A Light” was particularly dancey, with the steady rhythm of the drum and guitar begging the crowd to move. I then thought it was a questionable decision to choose “California Dreamer” as their closer, but the band lit up their sound in playing it, nearly giving a psychedelic desert feel to it.
With the variety and charge they brought to their performance, it will definitely be sad to see Wolf Parade say goodbye. Best of luck to you, gentlemen. Come back any time.
