It's really hard to believe that the Bay Area's alternative radio station Live 105 has been putting on their annual "BFD" for eighteen years now, but indeed they have – and this year's edition proved to be one of their biggest yet. From headliners Jane's Addiction to the rapidly rising Neon Trees to local favorites The Limousines, the all day music celebration had something for everyone.
Highlights of the Soundcheck stage, which features some of the top notch local bands included both the Stone Foxes and Midi Matilda. The Foxes put one one of the best sets I have witnessed from them, while Midi Matilda had the entire crowd at the foot of the stage dancing to their guitar and drum filled electro-pop. The Soundcheck stage has been a great way for the local bands to get some recognition, and is one of the elements which made the day a success.
Over on the side stages, it was Utah-based Neon Trees who stole the afternoon. Frontman Tyler Glenn had the sea of people at his fingertips and, by the time they wrapped up their set with the can't escape it if you tried hit 'Animal', there wasn't one still body in the entire venue.
Of course, there were a few other highlights on the side stages too. Angels and Airwaves – the side project of Blink 182 member Tom Delonge – put on a great set of proto-space indie pop while Iceland's Of Monsters and Men wowed the crowd with their somewhat dreamy yet still powerful folk inspired set. And if you think for even a minute that the entire venue wasn't singing along with Fun during their mega hit "We Are Young," you would be sadly mistaken. It was a fantastic way to end the first part of the day and to get people ready for the bands on the main stage.
While The Naked and the Famous, Cake, and Silversun Pick-Ups all put on great sets, it was the ever fabulous Shirley Manson and Garbage who really won the enthusiasm of the packed house. Strutting on stage with her hands in the air as they launched into "Push It" Shirley looked and sounded great, and proved that time has treated her quite well. The entire band was spot on, but really there was no way they couldn't be with such great musicians. Garbage wrapped up their somewhat brief set with "Vow," and walked off the stage on a high note. Here's hoping they will return in the not so distant future.
As the lights dimmed and Dave Navarro swaggered out onto the stage and struck the first chord of "Underground," Jane's Addiction proved to be the perfect headliner for this show. Perry Farrell is still the ultimate frontman, and he and Dave – along with drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Chris Chaney – ran through all the songs that have graced the Live 105 airwaves, including "Mountain Song," "Been Caught Stealing," "Ocean Size," "Stop!" and "Jane Says."
The day could not have gone any better, and cheers to Live 105 for continuing to put on what is always one of the highlights of the concert season. I hope to be back for number 19.
Photos:
Ray Ahner's photo essay from the 2012 BFD at Shoreline Amphitheater.
Festival:
www.live105.radio.com/
