By Jeff TerichAssistant Tempo Editor
For the first time, American concertgoers were able to experienceAll Tomorrow’s Parties on their own turf. After being held twice inthe United Kingdom, All Tomorrow’s Parties expanded to the UnitedStates in 2002.
The first of two ATP festivals this year, the four-day event washeld on UCLA’s campus, with concerts in Royce Hall and Ackerman GrandBallroom. The lineup, 53 bands long and handpicked by curators SonicYouth, included such heavy hitters as Eddie Vedder, Cat Power,Television, Stereolab, Sleater-Kinney and Wilco. Another ATP will beheld in Britain in April.
On Saturday, March 16, the main highlights of the evening wereSleater-Kinney, Big Star and Wilco. Sleater-Kinneytook the stage at Ackerman Ballroom after a cacophonous set byJapanese noise artists Merzbow. The Portland trio played a brief, buthigh-energy set, consisting of mainly new material, which the bandwill be recording soon. They did, however, include some oldfavorites, such as “You’re No Rock ‘n’ Roll Fun,” “Call the Doctor”and “Dig Me Out.”
At Royce Hall, Big Star, the second to last performer of theevening, charged through around a dozen old favorites, including”Thirteen,” “Way Out West,” and “September Gurls.” Original membersAlex Chilton and Jody Stephens were assisted by Posies members JonAuer and Ken Stringfellow. They encored with a powerful performanceof “Back of a Car” and a cover of the Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t it BeNice.”
The final performer, Wilco, wrapped up the evening nicely with asublime set of breathtaking melodies. They played passionately, eachsong more intense and flawless than they sound on record. FrontmanJeff Tweedy offered little between-song banter, save for thank yousto Jim O’Rourke and Sonic Youth, and one “We’re very excited to behere.”
Mostof their set consisted of songs from their upcoming album YankeeHotel Foxtrot. They did however throw in a few old favorites, such as”She’s a Jar” and “A Shot in the Arm.” They were joined by JimO’Rourke, who provided some white noise during their encore of”Reservations.”
For those interested in attending All Tomorrow’s Parties UK onApril 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28, go to www.wayahead.com/atp/
shellac2002.htm. Shellac is curating the two-weekend event, whichwill take place at the Camber Sands Holiday Centre, Camber Rye, EastSussex, U.K.
