 Concert review: Beck, Weezer highlight California fest
Inland Invasion , Hyundai Pavilion, Glen Helen, Calif.
LOS ANGELES - While lacking the then-and-now punk rock or new wave themes of the past few years, Saturday's fifth annual Inland Invasion at the Hyundai Pavilion in Glen Helen, Calif., staged by southern California modern rock radio powerhouse KROQ, offered an effective variety pack of styles for the throng of alternative-music fans.
Running more than 12 hours, from the 1980s-inspired synth-and-guitar of New York's the Bravery to smirking self-conscious ironists Cake, most bands rose to the occasion, delivering fan-pleasing hits but also stretching out creatively.
The thousands who chose to show up later missed out on the early-afternoon appearance of the highly touted Arcade Fire. The Montreal ensemble launched into the glorious "Wake Up" and delivered a vivid array of eclectic sounds embellished by violins, accordion and French horn.
Some of the strongest performances came from KROQ artists who have now been at it for a decade or so. This included Beck in all his incarnations -- rapper, rocker, funkster and folkie -- for a career-spanning spot kicking off with a psychedelic take on "Devils Haircut" and also featuring the delicious creeping groove of "Where It's At."
Coming off a recent show at the Hollywood Bowl, Britain's Oasis was in typical form. Singer Liam Gallagher was standoffish and guitarist-singer brother Noel more passionate as they traded off the lead vocal spots for such stadium singalongs as "Live Forever" and "Don't Look Back in Anger."
A snappy set from Weezer included a surging power-pop run of "We're All on Drugs" (the irony of which was lost on the crowd), the arena anthem-as-parody "Beverly Hills" and the chipper "Buddy Holly." In a genuine showmanship move, singer-guitarist Rivers Cuomo turned up behind the orchestra section with acoustic guitar, facing the loge and lawn to play the daydreaming "Island in the Sun."
Aussie rockers Jet were full of chunky thump for swaggering slabs like "Rollover DJ," while teasing the hook of their Motown-goes-AC/DC hit, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl." The band cranked up the late afternoon, as did the pulsating clang of Garbage. Frontwoman Shirley Manson brought the day's first show of star power excitement, prancing down from the stage to sing in aisles and rows of seats during "I'm Only Happy When It Rains."
Another '90s outfit, Live, used its time as a reintroduction of sorts. The often-underrated group delivered emotion-soaked renditions of such songs as "Selling the Drama" and "Lightning Crashes."
As the event's grand old men, English ska-pop pioneers Madness were in fine fun form, playing their manic ska classic "One Step Beyond" and also covering the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in two-tone style, full of squawking sax and horn section blasts.
While 311's mix of metallic funk and reggae-lite balladry has become a bit tired, the rowdy audience soaked up the group's most energetic, hyperactive moments.
The day began on the smaller Family Guy stage, which featured late-morning through early-afternoon performances by U.K. upstarts Kasabian and Bloc Party, as well as veteran Los Angeles ska and funk merrymakers Fishbone. |
