Sorry about finally getting around to doing this three days after the fact. Having fun in Chicago just poops you out. Here are more notes from the field (remember, you can click the images to expand them!). Click for the rest, baby.

12:39 – A storm brews over Chicago in the distance as I wait for the Metra train to The Loop, complete with thunder and lightning. Could this be the break from the heat wave we wanted, only in an inconvenient fashion?

1:11 – After fruitless searching downtown, the second pharmacy finally supplies us with ponchos, but by this time the clouds have all but cleared away and it appears to be another scorcher for everyone.

1:30 – Showed up late and caught only the very last song of Tapes 'n Tapes set, "Insistor." Despite being the Pitchfork Darlings of this year (really though, The Loon is pretty good), the bit of their performance I catch showed plenty of spunk and energy. The new Spoon perhaps? 

2:00 - Jens Lekman takes to the stage with his band of Swedish babes. His tunes are cute and summery and he oozes charisma onstage; but I didn't care and largely ignore him as I wander Union Park. I later regret this after reading enthusiastic post-festival reactions from fellow attendees about his set.

 Jens Lekman + Swedish women = win 

2:35 – I know people like this band a lot and everything, but I just don't get the enthusiasm over The National.

3:01 – I think the dude from the merch booth remembers me from yesterday and still hates me.

3:25 – Everyone hated him the minute since he took his sweet little time introducing every band with his stupid banter and by thanking the sponsors, but he finally gets to me with his stupid crap by introducing "The Liars." Among other infractions: mispronouncing the name of the sponsor Scion, calling Mountain Goats "Billy Goats," and a reading of "Oh Captain, My Captain" before the Silver Jews performance. At least when he takes the stage, we know somoene is coming up soon. 

One song less from each band for every stupid speech. 

3:30 – (Don't call them "The-")Liars bring their brand of ridiculous freakout-noise-Krautrock that provides us with the first truly great set of the day. The noise, theatrics, and intensity were all kicked up to 11, and despite the confrontational approach to their music, six-foot-something Australian frontman Angus Andrew couldn't help but crack a smile after every song. Be sure to check out their latest record, Drum's Not Dead while you're at it.

Liars: Drumming's not dead

4:30 – $10 for a funnel cake and lemonade?! Five dollars, each.

5:10 – The moment I've been waiting for all weekend finally arrives: legendary Boston post-punk band Mission Of Burma.  Loud, intense, and aggressive; easily the best performance that whole weekend. "We really appreciate it guys… 26 years later," quipped Roger Miller. Be sure to show your appreciation by checking out The Obliterati.

6:10 – Devendra Banhart? Fuck that hippy shit. Pork sausage andouille sandwich here I come.

7:10 – Nothing gets people fleeing the scene quite like saying "These are songs off our new record" and then playing some really unimpressive tunes. C'mon Yo La Tengo , at least throw "Moby Octopad" in there or something. The largest crowd mass together up to that point at the festival flees to the other stage to get a good view of Spoon.

8:10 – Now I know why indie kids (girls especially) like Spoon so much: Britt Daniels is a total hottie. Oh yeah, the band was alright.

8:34 – Two days of standing in the heat take their toll, and I leave Spoon prematurely to alleviate the pressure on my feet and peruse the rest of the festival, including a brief visit to the Biz 3 tent, where Diplo is currently spinning a set. There are so many people packed into that tiny area that the crowd radiates body heat. Highlight of Diplo's set: "Gossip Folks" vs. "Rock The Casbah" right into "Drop It Like It's Hot" vs. some baile funk. I walk by Angus from Liars who had just purchased some chicken satay from the Thai food tent.

9:10 – Brazilian tropicalia legends Os Mutantes finally take the stage after a stupid love and peace speech from the above-mentioned annoying dude. Despite having sound problems at first ("Hey man, it's been thirty years!") and coming off to a rough start, they close the festival with the most spirited performance all weekend. Despite having only reunited this year after fading into obscurity in the 1970s, they sound as fresh as ever. I almost leave early from being just plain burned out and being put off by the rough start, but using my better judgement I stick around for the most crowd-pleasing performance of the festival and watch from afar (hoping to beat the crowds to the train).

Easily the greatest weekend of my life.

- Carman