Summerfest Serves as Andyman’s Final Goodbye

CD101′s annual sweltering rock ruckus, Summerfest, was a marvelous group therapy session for the City of Columbus and its devoted music following. From local indie-bubblegum rockers, Karate Coyote to quirky alternative powerhouse, Spoon, the night’s bill was understandably overshadowed by CD101 DJs, the audience, and even the bands themselves giving the prolific late local DJ Andyman their final send-off.

Emotions ran high for everyone at the LC Pavilion this past Monday, as Lesley James tugged on heartstrings by speaking of Andyman and what Summerfest meant to him. But there is nothing like song and dance to serve as a catalyst to let the healing begin – and everyone in attendance seemed to feel that emotional surge.

Karate Coyote, a band that would have made a nice addition to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’s soundtrack, got the opportunity to kick the night off by winning CD101′s local band contest. There is no doubt they deserved the spotlight and deserve much of the accolades they receive based on musical merit alone. Personally, I thought they outperformed The Cribs with their upbeat and loose set, plump full of bar favorites like “So Far, So Good” and “Move Yourself.”

The Cribs, who were physically on stage playing Summerfest, were mentally and musically absent. The DIY sound that skyrocketed them to stardom didn’t do them any favors as they haphazardly stumbled through their songs. The street cred they earned for wrangling in ex-The Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr was instantaneously lost by one of the brothers Jarman wearing a black leather jacket for most of the set on a 94-degree summer day.

And then there was Matt and Kim, who stole the show from the second they ran onstage like gracious doe-eyed little kids and began playing a triumphant Rocky-esque synth beat – as if they already knew they had conquered the crowd. Their stage presence and antics were refreshingly contagious; making it cool again to actually look excited about playing in front of an audience. Songs like “Daylight” and “Lessons Learned” ignited a sea of crowd-surfing as Matt played the keyboard while also doing an impressive handstand.

Spoon, the evening’s rightful headliner, was spectacular. Britt Daniel, Spoon’s leading man, put his smooth yet scratchy vocals on display with a spot-on performance. Fans of the band got their money’s worth with “I Summon You,” “Don’t Make Me a Target,” “The Underdog,” and even a little Wolf Parade cover. Perennial classic “I Turn My Camera On” gave the crowd a dose of adrenaline, reviving them (and me) from a middle-set lull.

As Daniel took a cue from the bands on earlier in the night, he thanked Andyman for his unwavering love of music. By the reaction he received, I’d say the audience completely agreed.

This review was written by Josh Fitzwater and brought you by the Franklin University Plaza at the LC Pavilion. For more information about shows that Josh and the Franklin crew will be attending and for chances to win tickets to concerts all summer long, visit www.franklin.edu/concerts or like us on Facebook.