In its sixth year, North Coast Music Festival has grown some, from the artists booked to the audience it attracted, plus the grounds have expanded, too. With weekend headliners including Widespread Panic, D’Angelo and the Vanguard, and The Chemical Brothers, it skewed to an overall older crowd than previous years, though the side stages mostly catered to the younger EDM-loving set. And on Saturday, the second night of the three-day fest, it drew 17,500 fans to Union Park.
The festival was initially billed as 17 and older in April, but it was made all ages in August as it had been in prior years. On Saturday, there were less rage sticks/totems being hoisted in the air, not as many outrageous costumes, and North Coast had a generally more relaxed vibe than in the past. Festival co-founder Michael Berg said that targeting an older audience was not intentional; the original age limitation was a result of how the lineup shaped. “It’s just more balanced,” he said. While the fest maintained its mix of hip-hop artists, groove-tipped bands and electronic acts on the weekend’s bill, it was less heavy on EDM than previously.
That balance was on display on Saturday, with a mostly solid mix of performances. Chicago was well represented. The Oh’My’s dropped soulful grooves. The Main Squeeze injected funk into the day and Manic Focus rounded out his electronic music with live instrumentalists and guest rappers. The Gold Web decked out in glammy costumes and face paint, its swirly, spacy “Friends” was a highlight.
Another newer act that impressed was Phoebe Ryan. The pop singer made waves earlier this year with her mashup of R. Kelly’s “Ignition (Remix)” with Miguel’s “Do You…”, which she performed alongside songs from her debut EP, “Mine.” Her wispy vocals and her charming onstage presence made her one to watch. Electronic act Michal Menert combined the fest’s eclectic genre mix in one set, mingling his bass-heavy grooves with live singing and live instrumentalists.
Then there were the big draw stalwarts. Galactic and Macy Gray performed her hits, including “I Try,” alongside newer tunes. Penultimate mainstage act The Roots and headliner D’Angelo may have had the largest crowds of the night, but their side stage counterparts, Porter Robinson and Steve Aoki, also packed their area with dancing fans for their closing performances. Aoki had all hands in the air for his exuberant set. He pounced atop the DJ rig, mouthed lyrics, and hurled his shirt as well as several cakes into the audience, who literally ate it up.
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Whether it was EDM, grooving to a band or a mix of both that fans sought, North Coast’s Saturday lineup was well tailored to satiate an array of tastes.
Althea Legaspi is a local freelance critic.