For my more observant readers, you'll note that I was only able to attend the evening performances on the Saturday of the PDX Pop Now festival. And I didn't make it all the way to the end of the night on Saturday. Nor did I show up on Sunday. My excuses: I had an early Sunday deadline and a wife and child to take care of. If that's not good enough for you...I don't know what is anymore.

Anyway, here are my hastily scribbled notes concerning the performances I did see on Saturday, which were, again, by and large, amazing. I don't know if my Oregonian review brought that to light or not, but I'll leave that for you punters to decide on your own.

Here we go:

SubArachnoid Space
best set of the fest thus far
beautiful sludge rock
tight as all get out
best drummer i've heard in ages

Reporter
"They should rename this Thoughtful Fest."
new wave
potato champion?

Nurses
more of a homespun animal collective raised on laurel canyon folk/rock than sounds of '70s NYC
very positive sounding stuff
lead guy looks like a young peter cook
MUST write about these guys

Blind Pilot
these guys are going to be HUGE
songs are so well-formed and sharp and free of any hint of pretension
humble as well
at least 8 people on stage

Living Proof
MCs and DJ don't seem on the same page
otherwise solid stuff
tepid response from the crowd
nice of them to give shout out to Blind Pilot
do they trust any other BPM?

Portland Cello Project
why is that guy howling?
can't hear the cellos through the singing
"Toxic" cover hilarious
guy holds up cello like a Gibson SG - should have smashed it