A Weekend at Sunset: The Festival at The Espee

I know what you’re thinking. “Oh, dear writer, tell us a tale of horses and spoons, where cowboys and alt-girls come together to swoon, where the glitter-painted gays and rappers of age go to hang, and where tejano and art-rock can share the same stage.” Well, lucky for you, I spent the fair amount of time this past weekend at San Antonio’s relatively new music venue, The Espee, where the first annual Sunset: The Festival took place.

Sunset: The Festival featured quite a lineup, and boasted a wide variety of genres. I was not kidding when I said that this was where all of your alt-girls, cowboys, glitter fans, hiphop moms, punk rock dads, tejano lovers, indie kids, pop girlies, almost any sort of music loving culture was here. Starting off the weekend of events at the plaza stage was indie-pop group, Elnuh. Coercing guests in through the gate with soft, twinkling melodies, Elnuh was a lovely start to the weekend. Their self-proclaimed “elevator music” sound warmed the atmosphere.

Directly following Elnuh was my personal favorite set of the festival, a rock ‘n roll king by the name of Cody Jasper. In his bright baby-blue shirt – and donning a white-hot flying V guitar – Cody Jasper looked and talked like a character from That 70s Show, and the music was just as groovy. He was backed only by a drummer and an unbeatable aura of natural swagger. Jasper lit the stage on fire with his rough voice and sleek solos, and when that stage was no longer appealing to him, he hopped into the crowd and played the rest of the set among his audience.

The art-rock group known as Buttercup then took the stage. In between the Dead Kennedy covers, they played originals that subverted any and all expectations I had of what I thought they’d sound like. A set dripping in spoken word, strange rhythmic bass patterns, and lyrics about being possessed by Lou Reed, if you need something to shake up your casual listening, by all means, watch out for their next appearance. It was then that Tanner Legg and the Heaters would take the stage. Legg and his band played an aggressive shade of country music, the likes of which I’ve never seen played live. Their music bit into the audience with hardened, angry lyrics. When you get on stage wearing aviator glasses that rest atop a glorious handlebar mustache, the highest compliment you can receive is that your music feels like the shards of a broken Budweiser bottle getting shattered over your head, and that it did.

Tanner Legg closed out the final performance in the plaza before The Droptines opened the main stage. With members from Oklahoma, Texas, and Ireland, they brought a softer but more nuanced form of post-country to the growing crowd. Ringing in harmonicas, steel drums, and a mixture of different guitars and tones, The Droptines presented something special. Their lyrics explored new territories, and the composition of their set allowed for some fresh textures to enter a genre that’s been beaten over and over again.

Walking through the crowd between sets, it was easy to see that many fans were there to see the headliners, but I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t call out the amount of Aly and Aj shirts I saw. It was an overwhelming swarm. Once the two sisters took to the stage in their blue jeans and hearts on their sleeves, it should have been obvious to me that this duo would attract such a crowd. I’m writing this on a Monday afternoon, three days after they played their set, and I still have their songs stuck in my head. Gentle songs written by women for women. It was possibly the loudest that the audience sang all night.

A Band of Horses took the stage. Normally this would be seen as jarring, but to my relief the “horses” in question turned out to be a group of goofy – albeit insanely talented – men from the Carolinas. Indie rock with a twang, a pop, and a kick, I absolutely loved the experience that these “horses” brought to the evening. Ultimately, Spoon finished the evening off with an energy that left my head ringing. They started the set with “The Beast and Dragon, Adored” and finished off their encore with “Rent I Pay.” Albeit a mixed bag of performances, day one at Sunset was a success.

Day two kicked off in similar fashion with local darlings, Baldemar, opening the plaza stage with an indie pop-rock sound that got the crowd grooving. Second on the list was the kick in the jaw that is Los Juanos. With accordion in one hand and Modelo in the other, the native rock band had the entire crowd dancing and chanting. Punk group, The Daisykillers finished off the plaza stage performances of day two with some songs about the government, and being afraid of dying. Then it was time for the final night of main stage performances.

Lilyisthatyou was, admittedly, a name I hadn’t heard of prior to the festival, but the crowd was full of her shirts and supporters. Once she started, the crowd begged her not to stop. Lilyisthatyou’s set of nihilistic, sexually frustrated, and yet sweetly encouraging pop music is another string of melodies and hooks that I cannot get out of my head. After her performance, she walked through the crowd in a somewhat undercover disguise, interacting with fans and engaging with them in lengthy conversations. Her vibe was both aggressive and loving, and it was clear to see that a large population of the festival resonated with that.

Third from last was Allen Stone. Even his name has a swaggy power to it. Stone and his band jived the night away, playing a funky blend of soul music that infiltrated ears and got the body grooving. About two songs into his set he told the audience “my job is to get you loose and warmed up for Mr. Warren G,” a job that he did exceptionally well. By the time that Warren G took the stage, it was clear that Stone and his crew had done what they had set out to do. Though certain members of a younger crowd may not know him, but when legendary West Coast rapper Warren G took the stage, his immediate presence told every single member of that crowd that he needs no introduction. After sparking up a joint on stage, and bringing a slew of varying guests on stage to perform with him, Warren G had the crowd in the palm of his hand.

But then it was time for Santigold, the last performer of the festival. Santigold defies genre. Taking pieces of reggae, R&B, radio pop, dub, and indie-rock inspired rhythms, Santigold didn’t just play music: she put on a show. Backup dancers, insane visuals, it was the most exciting stage display of the entire weekend. And just when I thought it wouldn’t go crazier, she pulled audience members and held a dance contest on stage. Santigold never had a dull moment. In fact, the festival itself never had a dull moment. Sunset: The Festival has been referred to as the first annual festival of it’s kind, and judging by its wild success, I’d make plans to go to it next year. If you do, just make sure you get the premium tickets by the main stage.