I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: July 23, 2016] Esmé Patterson

I had originally intended to see five bands on Saturday of the Festival.  Because of a number of unexpected hiccups, I wound up seeing only two.  (More about the hiccups on Monday).

Of the five bands, I definitely had a couple that I wanted to see more than others.  And Esmé Patterson was one of them.  I knew her from All Songs Considered, and although I’d only heard one song, I really liked it and was excited to see her rock out.

We arrived in time for her set, put out our gear, and had a great time.

Esmé has a fun stage presence (and is really kind–she was worried about us all burning in the hot sun), she sings wonderfully and her backing band was totally solid.

I enjoyed the way her set varied into different genres (and her set rocked a bit harder than her album).  “Find It” is a poppy alt-rocker. “Wantin’ Ain’t Gettin'” is a country tinged song (with slide guitar) and a rocking chorus.  We did a sing along for “Alone” and “No River” was a fun uptempo rocker.

For “Moth Song” she told us all her songs are about sex or death or both.  This one’s about both.  And then for “Francine” she said “this is the radio, so I can’t tell you what it’s about.”  “Francine” was a bonus song, she said that she had more time than she thought so she threw in this rocker–the heaviest song in her set with a great lengthy guitar solo and some screamed vocals.

“The Waves” has some cool distorted solos amid her slow vocals.  She ended her set with “Feel Right” the song I knew–it’s a fast punky rocker and Esme had a great deal of fun with it.

One of the fun things about XPN Fest is that (on the smaller stage at least), you can walk to the sides and even behind the stage (the sound is actually very good from the side–where you can’t see the artist) although not so great from behind the stage which does afford a very cool view).   Check out the picture to the left taken from the side of the stage and the roadie resting in front of the frame.

There are booths selling things behind the stage, and as I was walking around back there Esmé came down the stairs and a few people talked to her, so I did too.  She was super nice and a pleasure to talk to.

I also went over to her meet & greet later in the day and she was still smiling and happily signed her CD (and gave me a free dog tag).

Many of the XPN Fest artists’ shows are streamable.  You can hear Esmé’s show (and see better pictures) here.

Setlist

Find It
Wantin’ Ain’t Gettin’
Alone
No River
Moth Song
Francine
The Waves
Feel Right