After scouting out Empire Automotive last night with a thumping Passion Pit DJ set and seeing My Education open for Philm (Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo's side project) it is official, FFF 6's Nites aftershows are a welcome addition to the event. Today's preview picks up where we left off yesterday, with Friday evening shows like Kool Keith and The Thermals. Saturday, Fun Fun Fun Fest shows we like are Austin acts, Shapes Have Fangs and T-Bird and the Breaks for those festival foot soldiers who manage to make it to Auditorium Shores early. M83, Swedish electro-pop sensation, Lykke Li and UK punk legends, The Damned play sunset and headlining sets tomorrow.
Friday, November 4 (Nites)
Kool Keith - Empire Automotive - 9:30p - Free (w/ wristband)
Examiner live music photographer, Casey Brewer has been telling us not to miss the Kool Keith Nites show. Keith, the self-proclaimed founder of horrorcore makes his only FFF Fest appearance tonight at Empire Automotive which has been temporarily converted from an old garage into a cool, semi-outdoor venue across from Red 7.
Keith, reportedly raps on sexual themes frequently coining the term, "pornocore" to descibe his lyrics which are often abstract or surreal. According to the Washington Post, surreal is a likely scenario for fans as this description of a 2006 show in D.C.
"Keith passed out copies of both a British adult magazine and his rare self-release, "The Commi$$ioner." He also repeatedly addressed the women in the house -- all 10 or so of them -- and seemed surprised to learn that they don't turn out in huge numbers for Kool Keith." -Washington Post
The Passion Pit DJ set was $10 for non-wristband holders. Although no price is listed, the assumption is costs will be similar for Kool Keith. Death Grips and Blackie open.
The Thermals | Ume | Lemuria - The Parish - 9:30p - Free (w/wristband)
Nevermind the headliner, The Thermals (also on Orange Stage Friday 4:45p), Examiner is excited Austin act, Ume ((pronounced ooo-may) is listed on the bill for this show at The Parish which is our favorite Sixth Street venue. Ume is the husband and wife team of Lauren and Eric Larson. Lauren's energetic stage presence is something to behold as she sings and plays guitar while Eric delivers pounding bass. Their furiously intense performances make indy-rock power-trio, Ume an easy pick to see tonight.
Saturday, November 5
M83 - Orange Stage - 5:35p - FFF Fest 6
Frenchman, Anthony Gonzalez is the mastermind behind M83 who mix ambient, shoegaze with indy-pop to produce dreamy soundscapes amid etheral, tonal vocalizations. Their latest release, "Hurry Up We're Dreaming" is an ambitious double album that includes more upbeat tracks that should translate well to the festival setting like "Midnight City". The sun should be setting as M83 winds up their performance which will be a nice visual to go along with their epic, sonic landscapes.
Lykke Li - Orange Stage - 7:25p - FFF Fest 6
Lykke Li appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly back in February of 2009, covering Kings of Leon tune, "Knocked Up" which was a suggestion by KOL who approached the Swedish singer as asked her to choose any of their songs to sing. More recently, she appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Li's debut album, "Youth Novels" (2008) was produced by Björn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John. The debut was more pop oriented than her recent, "Wounded Rhymes."
The L.A. Times gave the record a nod:
"To make “Wounded Rhymes,” her impressive new album, she relocated to Los Angeles, where her lack of a driver’s license resulted in an enforced solitude you can hear in the hollowed-out textures and proudly dejected lyrics. “Sadness is my boyfriend,” she sings over the “Be My Baby” beat in one fresh tune, “Oh, sadness, I’m your girl.”
The Damned - Black Stage - 8:45pm - FFF Fest 6
All you need to know about FFF Fest headliners, The Damned is their second show in 1976, they opened for UK punk legends, The Sex Pistols which makes them goth punk legends. Which means we are planning on seeing this set for the sake of posterity if nothing else. After all, The Damned are celebrating their 35th anniversary, outliving most of their punk contemporaries.
There is even a documentary currently being shot about The Damned by Wes Orshoski who directed the well received feature doc on Motorhead singer, Lemmmy. Maybe you will be in the film if you get up close to the stage?
See my custom FFF Fest 6 schedule and then make your own here.
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