Kevin Bronson on April 17th, 2013

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Who: Dinosaur Jr. at the Outdoor Theatre
In 3 or Fewer Words: Fossilized joyful noise
Memorable Because: J Mascis played the best guitar solo I heard all weekend when Dinosaur Jr. absolutely eviscerated “Feel the Pain,” their most recognizable tune. Every song was a gut-splitter during “classic lineup” Dinosaur Jr.’s well-received appearance, this year’s proto-alternative rock contribution to the bill. The enigmatic Mascis may as well have been Prospero summoning the tempest as wild winds blew long wisps of hair across his face while he conjured magical distorted guitar noise. “Start Choppin'” was just brutally good. Tension in Dinosaur Jr.’s original soft-quiet style of art rock accentuated tension in the crowd between earnest fans and gawking onlookers obviously waiting for super-hyped DJ Pretty Lights, who was due to play two hours after. This was a great gift to those of us still carrying the torch for rock music tradition in an increasingly EDM-obsessed festival culture. One day we’ll say “Remember when dinosaurs rawked the earth?”
What I’d Tell My Friend Who Was At The Lumineers: Underserving of comment.
– Ben “Mouse” McShane (Photo by Scott Dudelson)