• John Waters proved a pleasant way to start the day. The Hairspray and Pink Flamingos director did a spoken-word mix of live memoir and stand-up comedy. The highlights include him recalling Divine's comment that Richard Simmons makes him feel homophobic; coming up with new sex act names to confuse republicans.
• Only caught the last song in the Almighty Defenders set, which may have been a mistake, as if was effing killer. Well, I'll catch them next time; apparently the mix of King Khan and the Black Lips is as potent as it sounds.
• Is Portugal the Man actually as popular as their set made it seem, or was there just not much competing with it? Don't get me wrong, their prog-pop is perfect for the venue, but didn't they only attract like 30 people at the Marquee Room?
• Frightened Rabbit didn't make it overseas because of the Icelandic volcano, and Camera Obscura was a little too delicate, so Pitchfork darlings Girls became my defacto band to see. No regrets; sunny pop suits sunny days, and they play the type you can really bask in. Great energy, too.
• Speaking of basking; Beach House aren't exactly upbeat, but when you need to sit in a bit of shade to avoid 30-degree heat, chill is exactly the sound you want.
• Took in a bit of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, as did seemingly half the festival crowd. I didn't want to take in the full set, as I still want surprises when the band hits Calgary in a month or so, but if this is an appetizer, colour me appetized. Look up some YouTube clips and buy your tickets right now. Seriously.
• The Raveonettes fell victim to the volcano, too -- or at least most of the band did. Reduced to a two-piece, they put up a valient effort and the crowd was certainly on their side, but without the full arrangements, the songs start to sound more same-y than they already did.
• What can you really say about Dirty Projectors aside from Holy Hell. More creative arrangements, tighter musicianship and more impressive vocals than basically any band going today. Definitely puts Vampire Weekend's "Soweto" influence in its place. Pardon the bitterness.
• I forgot how much System of a Down and Tool draw from Faith No More. After opening with some smooth Philly soul (oh that crazy Mike Patton), the band proceeded to thrash through classics like "We Care A Lot" and, well, everything else you'd want. Show of the night, for sure.
• Although, some folks will probably argue that title goes to Muse, who really do put in the effort to earn their "best live band in the world" rep. Every instrument can only be described as propulsive, and they work the crowd like it was nothing.
• In brief: My highschool self would be proud to know I say Les Claypool, but sterling musicianship aside, his new stuff leaves me a bit cold. Flying Lotus is killer on headphones, but I'm not sure a rock fest is the best place to try to take it in. And I'm kind of regretting not taking in Die Antwoord just for the spectacle, but sometimes a man needs to shower.

Tonight: Gorillaz. And some other stuff.