With temperatures reaching 80 degrees by the time that the gates opened, day three of the landmark festival was already off to a hot start. Dressed in t-shirts, shorts, tank tops and sometimes even less – the music festival fans set their sights on the front rows of one of three stages that their favorite artists would be performing at. Headliners on Sunday included Brandi Carlile, Logic and Travis Scott.
Byron Bay’s SKEGSS kicked off the day with their fun-loving, punk-surf rock set and it was a great way to get the ball rolling. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever took over with their own spin on fun, solid rock and roll. Fans were torn to stay for the band’s set or to trot across the campus to catch Easy Life, who were scheduled at the same time. Those who stayed for Blackouts loved it. Those who left to catch part of Easy Life’s set were just as happy. It was clearly a win-win situation. Cautious Clay brought soul and finesse with his band’s groovy set. Clay switched between guitar, saxophone and his microphone to deliver his sweet sounds. Ravyn Lenae carried the torch with another set of soulful and whimsical delight. Engaging with her audience, Ravyn connected, not only through her music – but her personal stories.
Comedy sets continued to be a strong draw each day, but Saturday Night Live’s Michael Che filled the university’s arena. DJ Cipha Sounds dropped the beats following Melissa Villasenor’s witty set. As a tease, Cipha lit up the marquee with Che’s name, only to take center stage with an impromptu mini-set of his own and to take time to introduce local talent as Che’s opener. The crowd was a bit confused, but the crowd cheered as Che was introduced. Che, smartly-wearing a Boston Red Sox ball cap hidden under his sweatshirt’s hood, smiled and greeted the audience. However, he and his routine were quickly derailed by an overzealous fan – whom Che sadly decided to engage with. The dialog between the two lasted too long and Che’s set was, unfortunately, an utter mess. Thankfully Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Marina both offered relief with their colorful and entertaining sets on competing stages – for those who chose to split from Che’s gig.
Later, New York City’s Sheck Wes brought his lively rap routine to an audience hungry for headliner Travis Scott. Wes did not disappoint, as he rightly fired up the crowd before Scott’s set. But, hearts were truly with Brandi Carlile and her talented band’s performance at the opposite side of Harvard’s athletic field. Flanked by the twins playing bass to her right and guitar to her left, Carlile and Company delivered an authentic, genuine, and heartfelt set packed with fan-favorites and deep cuts to satisfy one and all. For some, Carlile’s set was all they needed. Travis Scott’s set was, of course, a huge draw and it was a magnificent way to bring the weekend, and ultimately, the festival’s finale to a climax.
