PromoWest Fest concluded on Sunday as alt-rock heavy weights Garbage and Modest Mouse helped to stylishly close out what will surely be considered a successful first year festival for the PromoWest team.
The beautiful weather continued throughout the day as the festival dipped back into alternative radio friendly waters after Saturday night’s hip-hop diversion.
Austin Plaine and Mimicking Birds made for a low-key and breezy opening for a summer day, before Canadian pop-punks PUP kicked the vibe up a notch.
The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die pulled out of the schedule at the last minute, freeing up a slot for Columbus’ garage rock, and photographers dream, band The Worn Flints, who played a hugely enjoyable thirty minute set full of chunky guitar riffs and an impressive range of facial expressions.
Atlas Genius kept the upbeat mood going with an hour long set of songs perfect for the people hanging at the back of the crowd on blankets, while Black Pistol Fire and Black Lips both shot the energy levels back up for the kids that wanted their ears to ring a little.
As soon as Garbage walked on stage it became pretty clear we were in for something special. Shirley Manson prowled the stripped down stage looking in complete command as she led the band through some of the bands greatest hits that all sounded as fresh today as they did 20 years ago. Even without Butch Vig behind the drums this was by far my favourite performance of the weekend.
J. Roddy Walston & The Business closed out the Columbus Makes Art stage with their collection of scruffy-haired sing-along songs that the enthusiastic crowd lapped up.
Brand New’s emo-rock made me feel a bit sad inside while Modest Mouse brought their ridiculous collection of instruments and band members to fill up the stage and musically fill the air to close out the weekend with over an hour of radio friendly indie rock.
Hopefully, PromoWest Fest will return next year.
CLICK HERE for photos from Day One of PromoWest Fest.
CLICK HERE for photos from Day Two of PromoWest Fest.
For more information, visit www.promowestfest.com.
To find more upcoming live music events, CLICK HERE to visit our Event Calendar.
Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers bands that visit the city and the Columbus Crew MLS team. More about Matt can be found at Matt Ellis Photography.
