MFNW Strikes Final Note: Next One Only 364 Days Away

[Jaymee R. Cuti]

Another year of Musicfest Northwest has wrapped. After a nonstop weekend of crowds, ID checks, beer lines, jammy baselines and guitar shreds, I've had my fill.

Though MFNW stole my peaceful weekend, it left me with pride to share this region with hundreds of pioneering artists who have their priorities straight. The festival highlighted a few musicians lucky enough to devote themselves to full-time music making. The majority of performers, however, barely earn enough from live shows to pay rent on their practice spaces. Those who sacrifice for rock are the ones I admire the most.

MFNW's manic structure prevented me from taking in all it had to offer.
In an alternate universe, I wouldn't have missed grunge godfathers Mudhoney, or original reggae punksters Bad Brains.

I was curious to check out electro dance band Explode Into Colors and experimental noise band Panther.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have seen The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The foursome draws comparisons to My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus & Mary Chain and other '80s indie popsters.

Thanks to everyone who strummed, drummed, vocalized, funded and rallied behind a spectacular MFNW. Now, bring on the rain!