Perhaps it was my age catching up with me; I didn’t make it to day three of Panorama until later in the evening, after taking the day to relax. I got there just in time for Sia’s performance and was excited because I planned to get some shots on in the photo pit.
Before heading over to the Panorama stage, I stopped by the Pavilion and caught the very end of Grace Potter’s set. I was pleasantly surprised at the bit I saw. Had I known, perhaps I would have come earlier for her full set. Then I stopped by the HP tent and printed out a stick-on tattoo, which ultimately didn’t work.
I haven’t followed Sia’s career closely, but I’m a fairweather fan. Her music fueled my college angst in the late 2000’s. Who doesn’t know Breath Me? It was at her set that I would finally get the feeling I was experiencing just a tad of Coachella. As opposed to a set, her show was a complete performance, which included dancing by Maddie Ziegler and others. The scenes projected onto the giant screens a the Panorama stage alluded to the actual music videos from which they derive. Sia remained perched on a stool in the background during the entire performance. Despite rumors to the contrary, Sia did not show her face.
Afterwards, I swung back over to the Pavilion and caught the very last of ASAP Rocky’s set before grabbing a bite to eat and heading back to the Panorama stage for LCD Soundsystem. I’d heard good things about them and have been following news of their triumphant return and their reunion festival tour. Considering they performed at Coachella in April, it wasn’t surprising they also played Panorama. Seeing them live, I wasn’t disappointed. Comparing them to my own EDM pedigree, I thought of a mix between Daft Punk and Infected Mushroom. I also got an idea of what System of A Down might sound like if they performed happy music.
By the time LCD Soundsystem really got into their set, most attractions at the festival were shut down and all eyes were on the main stage. Beyond the main crowd were girls in flower tiaras dancing in the overhead mist sprinklers and couples cuddled together on towels in the grass. The collective come together to watch this legendary band perform, I can only imagine is our modern version of watching The Beatles or The Rolling Stones or Prince, in their heyday.
I ultimately left early, but I left with a satisfaction that I’d experienced something one likely wouldn’t at any other New York music festival. As much as I enjoy my own music and festival tastes, stepping out of my comfort zone has been rewarding. Now only if the festival wasn’t aligned with one of the hottest weekends of this summer.
