Sorry, Mr. Showalter, I didn’t see you sitting there in the grass. Can I hold the purppy?

Somewhere off in the horizon, I can vaguely hear Sarah Silverman talking about taking a piss in the Long Winter’s bathroom. And now I can hear John Roderick crooning.

As suspected, today has been a whirlwind of trying to see as many artists as possible while weaving through the maze of ridiculously ugly shoes (honestly, I don’t understand why so many people where these!) and even uglier tattoos.

Regardless, I have managed to have a great time so far, having caught the Hold Steady, the Blow, Mirah, Two Gallants, Visqueen, and some other stuff here and there that I can’t remember because the sun has cooked my brain.

The Hold Steady were fantastically fun. I could only imagine how amazing it would be to see the band in a tighter, sweatier, dancier, and smaller club, and my imagination promises it’d be awesome. See, I missed them when they played the Croc many, many months ago, and they were the one and only band I absolutely had to see this weekend because I love them oh so much. So while seein’ ‘em here in blazing daylight with about 5,000 feet of security barricades separating us certainly isn’t the same as a sticky and intimate nightclub, it was still a helluva show.

Not only did the keyboardist look dapper in his nice black slacks and matching vest (in 80 degree weather, no less), but he’s also the proud owner of the best mustache I’ve seen today (or ever, for that matter). Singer Craig Finn also had the best dance moves of the day. So far, at least, Bjork hasn’t played yet.

Here’s a video of them playing “First Night,” one of my favorites on their latest album. Sounds not the greatest, but it’ll do.

The yellow security shirts will haunt me for now and forever. Sorry I couldn’t avoid getting shots of the wall o’ men in there.

The Blow was next, and they, I mean she, I mean Khaela Maricich was absolutely charming with her funny monologues about unrequited love, boys who yell at girls while driving by them, and other random but amusing topics. I was comforted by the fact that she two wonders why some boys never call even if it seems like they really like you. It’s so hard being a girl…

It was just her on stage, singing the songs to the pre-recorded beats, but she was still endearing and entertaining. And actually, I take back what I said about Finn having the greatest dance moves… the Blow wins.

Mirah, backed by a drums, an accordian, and a cello, was adorable and in fine form, but she was far too quiet and I could hardly enjoy the set over the chatterboxes in the crowd and all the other music the was bleeding into the area.

I was also surprised that I liked the Two Gallants as much as I did. Sorta a drunken Ted Leo meets an even drunker Pogues sound. Jonathan has said enough about them, though, yes? Yes. Nice boys, great music, and who knew they’d actually bring out a third Gallant?

And now, in the background, I hear a little of both Aqueduct and the Long Winters… that’s a weird mashup.

I’m gonna go find more shitty tattoos.