DeLuna Fest 2012 Final Post!

I've been referring to it as "an explosion onto the stage!" Fitz and the Tantrums killed it! Lead singers Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs owned that stage. Noelle: talent, beauty, style, and moves! Her voice with grab you by the chest and she literally commanded the crowd to start dancing, "I better see some booty shak'n up in here tonight!" Fitting due to the fact that she was dancing non-stop - poppin that tambourine like a champ! Fitz moves all over the stage - interacting with Noelle and even bashing on the drums and cymbals for peak moments. Also - sensual tension was intense between these two! While I'm sure showmanship comes into play - it's not easy to fake that kind of chemistry.

While so many of the acts were powerful, energetic, and/or cultured, for me, Fitz and the Tantrums was hands down the most all-out fun act of DeLuna Fest! I can't say enough how much I hope you get to see this crew live. It's by far my favorite experience of the weekend!

Now, I know that Stic-of-the-Week isn't exactly known for country music but The Zac Brown Band put on an impressive show regardless. Thats the thing about DeLuna Fest is we have such a wide variety of cultures that compile in this area that it's fun to change it up and see something you might not otherwise. For instance - I think Florence & the Machine is incredible! Her voice is ethereal and stunning but I might not have seen her without being at DeLuna! She skips across the stage in a flowy gown and (despite her self-proclaimed unemotional British upbringing) encouraged us to hug and kiss everyone around us. The show was both visually and musically stunning. She ended DeLuna on such a bittersweet note because it was so sad that it was over but man - I can't wait until next year!

Photo Credits: Thanh Nguyen and Elaina Rowland

Special thanks to Thanh Nguyen for taking such incredible photos. I also need to thank Maria Jose Florez and Elaina Rowland for allowing us to use some of their pictures too. You guys are the best! Check out the Stic-of-the-Week Facebook for a full album of phenomenal shots!

Lollapalooza 2012: Sunday Wrap-Up

I woke Sunday, tired but ready to finish out Lolla weekend with the best day yet.
I'd planned to get to the park in time for Oberhofer, but sadly couldn't drag myself out of bed in time. (I've been loving Time Capsules II, though).

Once I arrived at the park, I stopped by the media tent to grabbed some water, got my photo snapped by MTV Style, and then headed over to the Red Bull stage to start waiting for Sigur Ros. (In the process, I also accidentally heard some Trampled By Turtles. Not my thing).

As soon as Jonsi and the rest of the band took the stage, I was captivated. Watching him use the bow on his guitar and blast his lovely vibrato into the microphone gave me shivers down my spine, even though I was sweating in the sun. I only wish they'd been given a later slot, so I could listen to them while the sun went down.

After Sigur Ros, I went to see Florence and the Machine, who blew me away. Florence Welch is a GODDESS. She wore a flowing dress onstage and had fans blowing on her so it looked like she was flying the entire time. Her voice boomed out over the crowd as she danced across the stage. During one song, she called for people to get on each other's shoulders.

Immediately after that, Chairlift took the stage. The crowd was a little small, due to the rescheduling, but they still played an awesome set. I danced and sang along.

For the end of my weekend, I chose to see Childish Gambino. I'll admit, I'm in love with Donald Glover. How could I not be? Have you seen Community? Have you heard his witty rapping?  What a man. What a weekend. <3 LOLLA <3