Kevin Bronson on August 21st, 2009

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That annual collision of people, pavement and pop music known as Sunset Junction is upon us. The two-day street fair may very well be on its last legs – I frankly don’t know what to make of all the political wrasslin’ – so I vote that we just enjoy it while we can. At 20 bucks (unless you got the $15 tickets in advance), it’s a good value. Bring sunscreen, mix in some water, be polite. After the jump, my very rock-ist take on the lineup (full lineup here):

Photo of the Henry Clay People at Sunset Junction 2008 by Jeff Koga

★ = recommended, even if you have to stand in the hot sun.
★★ = recommended, even if the person next to you hasn’t showered since Coachella.
★★★ = don’t be a wuss, fight the crowds

SATURDAY

Hoover Stage
★★★ 9 p.m. – Mary Wilson: It’s a Supreme, people.

Sanborn Stage
★★ 5 p.m. – Dengue Fever: Their heady mix of Cambodian music and psych-pop keeps getting better.
★★ 9:30 p.m. – Sly & Robbie: Excellent riddims from long-running reggae giants now in their fourth decade.

Bates Stage
★ Noon – Gran Ronde: Maybe some new songs from this L.A. quartet?
★★ 12:50 p.m. – Miss Derringer: Maybe not so great in the middle of the afternoon, but still great.
★ 1:40 p.m. – War Tapes: Not the best setting for their “gloom-pop,” but it’ll be sonic wake-up call.
2:30 p.m. – Rumspringa: A two-man blues-rock attack that has never held my interest very long.
3:20 p.m. – Warpaint: I’m told I’m missing the boat here. Happy sailing.
★★ 4:10 p.m. – Nico Vega: Never boring, often explosive, Aja Volkman-led trio is a force to be reckoned with.
★★ 5 p.m. – The Submarines: Boy-girl pop that brings a smile to the face of even the crankiest blogger.
★ 6 p.m. – Delta Spirit: Who could have predicted the San Diegans’ feel-good take on soul-Americana would’ve blown up like it has? Not me.
★ 7:20 p.m. – Islands: Quebecers are building up to the release of their third album, “Vapours.”
★★★ 8:50 p.m. – Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band: Can’t believe “Mystic” is misspelled on the Sunset Junction poster.

Sunday

Hoover Stage
★★ 1:30 p.m. – DJ Nobody: A nice way to ease into your Sunday.
★★ 5:30 p.m. – Cody Chesnutt and Martin Luther: Got soul? Got rebel soul?
★★★ 8 p.m. – Morris Day & the Time: I hope he busts out all his singles.

Sanborn Stage
★★★ 8 p.m. – Arrested Development: I, for one, would not strongly object if 1992 made a big comeback.

Bates Stage
★ Noon – Love Grenades: Think of it as Sunday Brunch with one of L.A.’s newest dance divas.
★ 12:50 p.m. – Nico Stai: Energetic alt-rock quartet will kick out any of your Sunday cobwebs.
★ 1:40 p.m. – Night Horse: Five-piece has a powerful, fresh take on classic rock.
★★★ 2:30 p.m. – Local Natives: Harmony-laden indie pop set to happy beats, perfect for a Sunday afternoon … in case you haven’t made it to their residency this month or seen any of their other 4,000 L.A. shows this year.
★★ 3:20 p.m. – Fool’s Gold: Uplifting hybrid dance music set to myriad tropical beats and Afro-rhythms. A joy to behold.
★★ 4:10 p.m. – Tiny Masters of Today: They are 15 and 13 years old, respectively, and Evan and Ida play punk rock. You might be surprised.
★ 5:10 p.m. – Mika Miko: Pedal-to-the-metal punk, fully fuzzy and decidedly old-school. Live, they can be cacophonous bliss or a trainwreck; fun either way.
★★★ 6:20 p.m. – The Sonics: Garage-rock legends. Lend thy ears.
★★ 7:50 p.m. – Built to Spill: Their seventh album, “There Is No Enemy,” is on the way in October. Maybe we’ll get a preview?

Obligatory self-promotional note: I’ll be DJing between sets at the Bates Stage from 5 p.m. to close on Saturday.