Sasquatch 2010

After winning a trip to Sasquatch on the radio last year and meeting an amazing group of people, we decided to get together and do it again this year. Sasquatch is a music festival that happens at the Gorge every memorial day weekend (the weekend of the American holiday).

I'll start by giving you a little history on the Gorge since it is the ultimate location to see live music performances. The Gorge Outdoor Amphitheater is located on the Columbia River by George, Washington. I think it's funny... George Washington... get it. Anyway... It offers scenic views of the river, terrace like seating on the grassy hill, and since it is located in the desert, the weather is usually ideal for sitting outside and soaking in some rays.

The Gorge began in the early 1980s when Dr.Vince Bryan and his wife purchased the land for a vineyard. After seeing the spectacular view, he got the idea of holding outdoor concerts while serving wine. The winery was called Champs de Brionne Winery and the music theatre, which opened in 1985, was given the same name. The first major rock n’ roll event there was a 1988 show by legend Bob Dylan with Tracy Chapman as the opening act.

The Gorge was recently voted by Pollstar as North America's best outdoor amphitheater for the third year in a row. The venue was sold by the Bryans in 1993 to a promoter that would eventually become the House of Blues. Since that time, it has become a favorite summer venue of performers and even hosted a triple bill of Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan in May 1998. In 2004, the Dave Matthews Band released a live concert DVD/CD, The Gorge, which captured the last three days of the band's 2002 summer tour. In 2007, Pearl Jam released a seven disc box set titled Live at the Gorge 05/06.

Sasquatch Music Festival started in 2002 and focuses more on indie bands. This year's line up was thoroughly enjoyable with bands like MGMT, My Morning Jacket, Vampire Weekend, Ween, and Massive Attack headlining. There was a slurry of opening acts and some of my favorite included Band of Horses, The National, Drive By Truckers, She & Him, OK GO, Dirty Projectors, and Camera Obscura. The main things I love about this festival is the wide array of people in attendance and the fact that there is not a bad spot in the entire venue. You bring your blanket, claim a spot on the grass, and enjoy the day. All around you are teenagers new to the festival scene, families, and people who have been coming since the inception.

Even after the 14 hour drive each way, the hit and miss weather with periods of rain and high winds, and having to sleep with earplugs in for quiet and a toque on for warmth, I am looking forward to next year's journey back to the Gorge.