Concert Review – Portola Day One 9/20
Getting to experience Portola was like no other music event I’ve ever been to. When I found out that I won a free ticket for day one of the event, I was ecstatic. Not only did I get to see artists like LCD Soundsystem and The Hellp, but I found some new favorites, like Kumo 99. The event had 4 stages and Despacio, a spot for some chiller electronic music. While it was packed with people, the venue was accommodating so as to not feel suffocated. The soundsystem and layout contributed to a wonderful feel.
I think the variety of artists was truly amazing. I started off my day more energized with Kumo 99 and The Hellp, both fun for dancing and getting in the mood. I listened to Kumo 99 for the first time a couple days before, and I was not disappointed! They are an electronic duo, with a kind of a jungle and drum and bass type vibe. I was surprised by the lack of moshing, but to each their own. As per The Hellp, they had a simple set up, two dudes on a stage with a bright orange backdrop. Even with the simplistic visuals, the crowd loved them. Indie sleeze is making a comeback, and they’ve kinda nailed the sound. Very fun to be up close (the camera man even got a shot of me and my friends). Later, we went to the Pier stage, where Christiana Aguilera performed, adding a nice touch of nostalgic pop hits. Easy to dance to and bringing us back to the 2000s was a perfect early evening party. The peak of the emotional experience wasn’t until later, however. LCD Soundsystem delivered a riveting performance, I literally teared up during “I Can Change”. What made their set so significant was a perfect emphasis on lights and visuals. Pairing that with flawless vocals and you get a top tier performance.
I highly recommend going to Portola next year! As a student, the cost can be high (so enter lots of giveaways)!! There’s a free shuttle from BART to the pier, super easy travel hack. If you want to skip out on the festival but love the music vibe, check out the rest of the line up and stream the amazing artists xoxo.
Margot Catrini
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