Treasure Island Music Festival has long touted itself as an intimate and authentic experience in San Francisco music and culture. Attendees are rewarded well in advance with a promise from the event’s coordinators that the eclectic lineup will be devoid of all scheduling conflicts between the festivals two main stages, both adjacent to the city’s bay shoreline. Therefore, eliminating any potential for those tough decisions while budgeting your time between favorite bands, food trucks, a silent disco and all other festival amenities one could hope for.
With that being said, the two-day fall music and culture getaway was a delight for all the senses as this Ninja was happy enough to document the best and worst of the weekend in the hopes that Treasure Island will be on your 2013 calendar. Read it all after the jump. However, if you’re in a hurry, take a look at the line up above and a short, “best of” playlist below.
Continue reading after the jump…
The Venue:
Treasure Island is one of those rare festival venues that is complimented by a stunning view of multiple popular, historical San Francisco city sights. A former military outpost nestled under the columns of the bay bridge, Treasure Isalnd features a 180 degree view of the San Francisco City Skyline, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. Although many will not travel long distances for the festival’s heritage and tradition, those in attendance are rewarded with a view that is unrivaled by many festivals that are forced into desolate locations due to their size. None the less, don’t be fooled by the festival title, TIMF’s venue is no larger than a few football fields, a considerable fraction of a size compared to fellow SF rival, Outside Lands or California behemoth, Coachella. However, you are bound to hear praise for the smaller setting as it is a refreshing change of pace that caters more towards comfortability than magnitude.
The Bands
In a festival day and age where quantity, size and theatrics reign king, Treasure Island proves to be the breath of fresh air many music fans had been waiting for when it came paying tribute to the San Francisco style of beat and indie culture.
The two day festival, traditionally split into two days dedicated toward theme, delivered a Saturday lineup structured towards the electronic and dance scenes. Saturday, being the day primarily dominated by dance and beat music, proved to live up to its reputation by ushering in blooming artists that have made a name for themselves across many blog communities. key performances came from artists such as the ambient graveyard transient, Grimes, the drum and sample rapid fire maestro, Araabmuzik, and the wildly infectious bass & percussive tunes of SBTRKT feat. tour mate Sampha.
As Saturday was the party, Sunday was the picnic. The 2nd and final day of the festival was a calming slice of indie rock that many a mellow minded were kindly prepared to sprawl out on a blankets and enjoy alongside the company of a neighbor. The crowd was smart in taking full advantage of the grassy venue separating the alternating stages, where the next set was a simple tilt of the ear away. The best of the day came from fellow west coasters, Best Coast whom could not have provided a better soundtrack for the setting. A surf-rock-pop group that accompanied the sights and smells of the ocean breeze as attendees sipped their warm food truck coffees or local lagers. The evening concluded with crowd favorites M83 and The XX but not before Gossip was able to put in their two cents, helmed by the comedic sass of vocalist Beth Ditto (brownie points for best name of the weekend), whom also proved to be this Ninja’s surprise group of the weekend.
All in all, amidst an exhausting festival season, Treasure Island is the kick-up-your-feet-and-breathe event that gives you the opportunity to see, hear and feel all the amenities of an authentic music culture. Be sure to keep an eye out for the event come next October, as this two day soiree is only getting better while giving you the love you might have missed in prior endeavors.
Tastefully: @imwithdove
