After a supreme act of will got my aching legs and I out of bed Sunday morning, after the hour and a half train ride, and after the long walk to the park, I found myself waiting in the growing gloom for Rogue Wave (Web site, Myspace) to begin their set. Mike Dojc did some interesting math (that I believe I also saw in a local Chicago magazine at Lollapalooza) that I’ll try out for the bands I saw on day 3.

Death Cab for Cutie - Their last three albums + Rock and roll = Rogue Wave

The California five-piece delivered a solid performance transitioning from mid- to fast-tempoed rock highlighted with “Lake Michigan” (of Zune commercial fame) and peaking with set closer “Harmonium”.

Rain began to lightly fall as Rodrigo y Gabriela (Web site, Myspace, YouTube) began their set of metal-infused Mexican acoustic rock on the Blue Comet stage. Checking my math:

Heavy metal - electricity - metal + Mariachi guitar = Rodrigo y Gabriela

This pair’s live show presents some of the best guitar work outside of a Joe Satriani or Steve Vai show and live they are completely and utterly captivating. The speed and sheer technical skill with which they pull off ridiculously complex rhythms and patterns is dazzling in itself; that they can do it for an entire set without resting between songs is mindboggling. Between Metallica covers and a picking vs strumming guitar battle, the performance was mesmerizing and out of this world.

By the end of the set the rain was pouring and many had run for whatever cover they could find. The clouds began to lighten, however, as Cat Power (Web site, Myspace) set up and all but stopped as Chan Marshall let out her first bluesy wail. Now, on most days:

Amy Winehouse - drug problem - alcohol problem + intelligent decision making + soul + talent + experience + range + thoughtfulness = Cat Power

Her recorded music is full of a stark, beautiful poignancy accented with an edge of pure sweetness. Somewhere between the studio and the All Points West stage, however, her sweetness evaporated and she unleashed an hour of throaty, smoky blues tunes unlike anything heard on her original albums. She was Billy Holiday meets Chrissy Hynde powering a deep growl that often erupted into a visceral yowl. Introspection gave way to catharsis as Marshall’s voice-straining vocal didn’t let up until her last number ended, and she handed flowers out to a crowd that stood cheering cool, wet, post-storm grass.

As feet, legs, and brain began to fail my day three ended on an early, yet gorgeously blue note and I finished off the first All Points West festival and began the long journey home.

© Eric Atienza 2008 for Listen In. Some rights reserved.

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