What other acts can we expect to see this year?

Consequence of Sound recently released their tentative lineup for Sasquatch! Music Festival 2011 and several more names appear than do on the actual Sasquatch! blog. Lots of names appear under both "rumored" lists, but Consequence of Sound says that several other acts are "expected" based on different evidence around the web.

First of all, Brooklyn-based indie synth-pop duo Matt and Kim have confirmed that they are playing Sasquatch! and Bonnaroo through their Twitter account, but they have not made it onto the official Sasquatch! blog. Matt and Kim have been on the synth-pop scene since 2004 and have three full length albums to their name. Their newest album, Sidewalks, was a college radio hit last year, hosting the well known single "Cameras".

Consequence of Sound also says that Twin Shadow will be playing Sasquatch! this year, as confirmed through the tour dates on their Myspace. Another Brooklyn based act, Twin Shadow is steeped in 80s nu wave sound, mixed with a hint of the shoegazer indie rock style of other acts like Glasser and Bear in Heaven. Twin Shadow's debut album Forget (2010) was produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear and features "When We're Dancing" and "Tyrant Destroyed".

Los Angeles based Foster the People is also expected to be at Sasquatch! via their own tour dates! Check out their single "Pumped Up Kicks" on their website or their last.fm page.

Band Spotlight: Das Racist

Das Racist, the third confirmed act for Sasquatch! Music Festival 2011, may be the coolest hip hop act you've never heard of. The three-man Brooklyn based group is unsigned and has only been on the scene since 2008. Their breakthrough track of that year was a supposed social commentary piece called "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell", which today is one of their most well known tracks. Das Racist stands on the borderline between being taken seriously as an honest and thought provoking voice in hip hop music, and being dismissed as a joke rap group. But considering the hype that has surrounded them in the past two years, especially with the release of their two critically acclaimed mixtapes Shut Up, Dude, and Sit Down, Man, they have justified their place in the underground hip hop scene and should not be ignored. Both of their mixtapes are available for free from their website here. You can also play their video game. If you need somewhere to start with this obscure group, download their stuff and check out the tracks "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell", "hahahaha jk?", and "Who's That? Brooown!". Check them out on Myspace here.

Here is the hilarious and fun video for "Rainbows In The Dark" off their first mixtape:

Band Spotlight: Wolf Parade

The second band to be confirmed for Sasquatch! Music Festival 2011 is the Canadian indie rock band Wolf Parade. Wolf Parade has been popular on the independent music scene for about five years. Three of its four current members have existed as members of other Canadian indie bands. Keyboardist and vocalist Spencer Krug is formerly of Frog Eyes, while guitarist and bassist Dante DeCaro hails from the popular indie pop band Hot Hot Heat. Wolf Parade's third album Expo 86 was released on Sub Pop Records last year. Their sound is a mixture of 80s nu wave post-punk and current indie rock. The band is currently on hiatus, but will play again at Sasquatch! this year! If you are new to this great act, check out their tracks "What Did My Lover Say?", "Shine a Light", and "Semi-Precious Stone", or check them out on Myspace here.

Here is their new video for the track "Yulia" off of Expo 86:

Band Spotlight: Foo Fighters

Sasquatch! 2011's first confirmed act is the much celebrated alternative rock act Foo Fighters. This acclaimed band started as the solo project of Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl in the early 90s. He wrote songs as he toured with Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, but none of them found the spotlight. Six months after Cobain's death, Grohl went into the studio recording his first solo demos, playing all the instruments and doing all his own vocals. A year later, Foo Fighters eponymous debut came on the scene, featuring well known singles like "This is a Call" and "I'll Stick Around". After an extensive tour and a drummer switch, the Foo Fighters' excellent The Colour and the Shape album was released in 1997, boasting all time favorites "My Hero", "Monkey Wrench", and "Everlong". Foo Fighters has reshuffled its lineup several times over their entire career, but continually have released excellent albums with memorable tracks. For new fans, notable places to start are The Colour and the Shape, the 2005 double album In Your Honor, with one disc of classic Foo Fighters alternative sound, and another with a softer, alternative country feel. The live acoustic album Skin and Bones also helps to show the diversity in their sound. Check them out on Myspace here.

Foo Fighters' live show has always been known for its energy, power, and emotional drive. Don't miss out this on seeing them this year at Sasquatch! Music Festival 2011!

Here is their classic video for the Colour and the Shape single "Everlong":

Sasquatch! 2011: Ticket Information

Although the Sasquatch! Music Festival 2011 artist lineup won't get released until February 6th (there is a Sasquatch! Launch Party at the Showbox at the Market that night if you are interested!), tickets are currently on sale and at a discount price of $285. Even if you aren't a huge fan of some of the three bands that have been confirmed, it is a great idea to buy your tickets now!

The pre-lineup discount tickets cover your parking, camping, and festivities for all four days this year. Though the post-lineup 4-day pass may look like it's only 10 dollars more, this ticket does not include your camping, and you will have to pay extra for it!

If this screamin' deal isn't catching your eye, 4-day passes and individual day tickets will be up for sale starting February 7th. As soon as these go on sale, the show will sell out fast! Get your tickets as soon as possible! Don't miss the best music festival since Woodstock 1969!

You can grab your pre-sale tickets here.

Sasquatch! 2011: An Introduction

The ominous, hairy beast of a music festival known as Sasquatch! has roamed the hills surrounding the Gorge Amphitheater for 10 years now. Starting in 2002, Sasquatch! headlined the String Cheese Incident with a handful of other artists, namely Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, but was a small player amongst giants like Coachella and the (at that time) traveling Lollapalooza. The next year, bigger names jumped on the bandwagon. Coldplay headlined while well known independent label artists like Death Cab For Cutie and Elliot Smith opened. The next year, more names: The Postal Service, The Decemberists, The Shins, The Black Keys, and more. The next, Pixies, Arcade Fire, and Bloc Party. More and more bands flocked to Sasquatch! and more and more fans excitedly anticipated the festival months before lineups were even decided. After several successful years of growing acclaim and recognition, Sasquatch! expanded to a three-day weekend event in 2006. Unfortunately, due to stormy weather, several acts were cancelled, and profits were not as extensive as promoters had hoped. In 2007, the festival shrunk to two days. But, due to record ticket sales and unbelievable performances by Bjork, Beastie Boys, and Michael Franti & Spearhead, the festival returned to its three-day state in 2008, hosting The Flaming Lips, The Mars Volta, The Cure, R.E.M., and M.I.A. in its best show yet.

Since its humble beginnings, Sasquatch! has grown constantly and today, is thought by many to be one of the best music festivals in the country. This year, Sasquatch! celebrates its 10th birthday by expanding its reign to four days. This May 27-30, the Gorge Amphitheater will be filled with a massive array of music lovers, campers, and festival fanatics. Attendance is expected to boast upwards of 30,000 people per day. Sasquatch! 2011 will be the music festival of the century. Don't miss it.