Georgios Papadapalous Part 1

Friday night of the Synch festival was a smashing success. First of all, this music festival in Athens was tiny compared the concerts like Coachella and Bonnaroo. There was only a few thousand people in total for both nights and even then - there was always space to dance and an easy, hassle free way to get front row center.

For night one - here are some highlights:

Puppetmastaz- These 4 guys are from Berlin and they're making English hip hop delievered through furry hand puppets. With characters like a rhino, a turtle and a chainsaw wheelding teddy bear -- this act was talented, hilarious and very dadist. We spoke to the band after and they're huge in France - sellling out shows and festivals all summer. One member who's originally from Vietnam but now lives in Berlin told me if I want to go to summer afterhours spots in Berlin to go now --- there's a conversation with the city to close down all the best riverside dance spots and to build condos. BOOO.

Friendly Fires - Sounds kind of like U2- you can tell these guys will be huge in a few months. They're live show is awesome, very high energy electro rock. Couldn't even get close when I saw them at Coachella but here I was front row - dancing right next to members of the French band The Teenagers!!!

But to be honest - everything was amazing.

The line up:

Jazzanova Live feat Paul Randolph
Florence and the Machine - weird wacky costumes, big blond afro, disco electro
Tortoise - I forgot how beautiful this music is and how much I enjoy listening to it in bed

Ebony Bones - great new act I'd never heard of
Fujiya Miyagi - Really a highlight too - this British band's live show has only gotten better and better since I saw them in 07
Friendly Fires

Evripidis & his tragedies
Cluster
Tasman
Family Battle Snake

Mari.Cha
3 Chairs

Puppetmastaz
Disateradio
Joe Goddard (Hot Chip DJ set)
New Young Pony Club DJs

Pleasure Island

Oh what fun it is to ride on a Bauer's shuttle (party bus, thanks designated driver D.D.) and ride to San Francisco's annual Treasure Island Music Festival. Last year saw acts like M.I.A and experienced the wonder that is Thievery Corporation.

This tiny island 10 minutes from the heart of San Francisco provided beautiful views from a rotating ferry-go-wheel (at $5/pop) or scenic wonders straight on the ground. The background was perfect for Saturday's acts: energetic Hot Chip, Powerhouse CSS, dance-your-ass-off JUSTICE! I even learned about two new artists: Foals and Mike Relm (DJ, mixed M.I.A with Rage Against the Machine. People loved TESTIFY!) 

TV on the Radio was a sexy and powerful set but alas, they did not play Poppy :( 

I can't afford nor do I have the energy to return for day 2 which includes sets by Vampire Weekend, Tegan and Sara and the Raconteurs. OH well. I'm spent. What a wonderful day of music and community art projects on Pleasure Island.