Phoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix album was the album of my 21st summer. Their FYF Fest headlining set on Saturday connected to me on a personal standpoint, as they played their numerous hits from that album, putting into perspective just how things have changed in those five years since.
Thomas Mars sounded just like he does on album, his semi-falsetto high-pitched amazingness in full effect. “Lisztomania” and “Lasso”, two songs from their aforementioned 2009 release, went back-to-back early in the set to much appreciation. Phoenix turned things down for their two part “Love Like a Sunset” track, which probably played a great aid to those who were on the festival comedown.
When the notable guitar riff that begins “1901” started, people snapped out of their trance and proceeded to lose their shit. Maybe the snapshot of Saturday’s day one happenings was seeing everyone’s hands thrown in the air, singing, “Going hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!” during the anthemic chorus.
“It’s 20 seconds ’til the last call…” Mars sings, no doubt having real meaning in the sense that it signaled the near end of the night. The one disappointment was Phoenix played until 11:50 PM, when the schedule advertised a midnight end. Just a small bummer in an otherwise memorable set.
Words: Mark E. Ortega
Photography: Monique Hernandez
Want more photos of FYF Fest 2014? Check out the photo gallery below of all the performing bands and artists!
