I have so much to say about this event, too much in fact. So I will highlight the bests and worsts of each performer of this wonderful day.
Retribution Gospel Choir
Summary: Hard, boring, repetitive Rock and Roll.
Best Moments: When they walked on stage, because it meant that Rock the Garden had started. Alan Sparhawk's emotions while going through his dozens of guitar solos were also mildly entertaining.
Worst Moments: Everything else. Not a memorable sound, everything blended together and sounded the same. "Hide It Away," was a lone standout.
Ok Go
Summary: Energetic, Creative, Fun, Prince-infused Pop. A definite crowd pleaser.
Best Moments: Pretty much everything, my personal highlight of the day. Confetti was constantly shot out, and every member of the band was engaged. "This Too Shall Pass" and a version of "What To Do" played only on handbells were both amazing.
Worst Moments: The only lagging parts were the couple of slow numbers, but even those were hugely entertaining.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Summary: Practiced, synchronized, beautiful soul music.
Best Moments: A funky Woody Guthrie cover of "This Land Is Your Land," and new album track "I Learned the Hard Way." Sharon Jones was a dancing bundle of energy. Watching members of MGMT and Ok Go enjoy the set from the side of the stage, dancing and singing along.
Worst Moments: The middle of the set lagged, and the group struggled to give any sense of variety in their one and a quarter hour set.
MGMT
Summary: Sloppy Yet Fun Electro Rock, No Stage Presence
Best Moments: Oracular Spectacular Hits "Electric Feel" and "Time To Pretend," and Congratulations tracks "Brian Eno" and "Congratulations."
Worst Moments: Lesser known tracks from the new album seemed to drag on forever. A fun band to hear live, not a fun band to see live, all Andrew VanWyngarden could manage to say after every song was "Thanks So Much." Overall an extremely enjoyable experience though.
MGMT Setlist:
Pieces Of What
Flash Delirium
Destrokk
Electric Feel
The Youth
Song For Dan Tracy
Weekend Wars
I Found A Whistle
Siberian Brakes
Time To Pretend
Of Moons, Birds, & Monsters
Brian Eno
It's Working
Someone's Missing
Kids
Congratulations
