In many ways, the second day of Osheaga was the opposite of the first one: it was a gray and threatening sky, they were a lot more timid and scattered camouflaged under some ponchos and umbrellas. Some festival-goers were simply cover with mud (especially those who have ventured on the side MEG scenes and trees).
But do not believe that the thousands of music lovers gathered at the Parc Jean-Drapeau didn’t have any quality time.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs meets their mandate
Without having the notoriety (or unifying effect) of the Beastie Boys, the members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs have done a good job in the ingrate role of "last minute" head displays on the scene of the River.
The singer Karen O. 'Which could well be the illegitimate daughter of Pat Benatar and Alice Cooper and her rock band gave a concert, a real one, with all that it involves noise, collective emotions and this "show" had its missing often in modern rock'n'roll.
Dressed in a way for the less extravagant, Karen O. has channeled all her madness in a theatrical performance, well served by her voice and music cleverly loud of her troupe.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs were preceded by Arctic Monkey on the stage nearby (the mountain Scene), which provided a convenient show, nothing more. The energy of their edgy guitar riffs did not appear to fire up the stage presence of their young rockers, also their songs grid was a bit scattered.
Speaking of scattered, The Decemberists have probably alienated more than a delivery with his prog-rock for nearly 60 minutes without a break. They link the songs back to back when they themselves contain several different sections. We had the impression that The Decemberists had air a concept show for the insiders only.
The lack of interaction with the public has certainly not helped to win new fans either.
From piano to rock
The British duo The Ting Tings and the New-Yorker group the Vampire Weekend, added to the menu last week, had, each turn, well warmed the crowd in the afternoon.
In his first visit to Montreal soil, The Ting Tings have shown great poise and an amazing sense of show. The sweet pop songs of the pair, with a just enough "trash" look, took on an explosive scene. "You feel at home under the rain", said the sparkling Ting Tings singer Katie White, originally from Manchester in England.
The guys from Vampire Weekend have occupied the vast area of the river scene with timidity but on stage their versions of songs from the album have passed the test.
Around dinner time, Rufus Wainwright offered a solo show simply for us to "flush the pallets, like a sorbet". While smooth, Rufus alternated between piano and guitar for some songs we interpret as recent, others older, and even an excerpt (the final fall, in fact) of his new opera French.
The Montrealer then became a New Yorker with a nice surprise: the presence of his mother Kate McGarrigle, who accompanied her son on the piano and sang for two songs.
(the complete review of Rufus Wainwright concert on Monday)
Nice way to close a successful weekend for the 4th edition of Osheaga, despite the vagaries of Mother Nature.
