Project Pabst review: Rocket from the Crypt, Violent Femmes, GZA, Modest Mouse

By Kayla Beattie

At first glance, Zidell Yards is a rocky wasteland in the heart of Portland’s waterfront industrial area. Vulnerably exposed below a network of Portland’s intercepting bridge patterns, the space is nothing but dusty, dirty and ugly. Luckily for the under-utilized area and festival attendees, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Superfly Presents were able see something special within this desolate strip of land and transform it into an impressive, end-of-summer music festival destination.

With two stages on opposing ends of the 10-acre Zidell Yards, Project Pabst served up outdoor venue vibes, with numerous food vendors, art installations, a 20-foot tall unicorn, and the highly competitive and charmingly quirky PBRcade. Along with this simple but fully equipped outdoor venue, Project Pabst’s festival schedule also incorporated intimate venue shows on Friday and Saturday night.

K.Flay kicked off Saturday’s musical entertainment in the yards with her unwaveringly hard electro rap. This brash and melodic artist delved out dirty, head-banging hits with her strong supporting drummer, and it turned out to be the most powerful and youthful performance of the day.

Violent Femmes took the stage mid-afternoon as the strong September sun came out and the PBR beer buzzes grew stronger. The alt-rock veterans kicked off their set with the classic hit “Blister in the Sun” and continued to play an entertaining hour-long set, where their lighthearted nature and genuine smiles ruled over the festival. This particular set attracted a crowd of mature and committed music fans who were surely attending Violent Femmes shows in the ’80s, and both band and fans were vivaciously reliving those glory-filled days.

Rocket from the Crypt graced the audience with their presence in the late afternoon and dished out the punk rock and roll that earned them critical acclaim and a large fan following in the ’90s. Known for their intense energy and quirky costumes, the six-piece band didn’t disappoint, donning intricately patterned Spanish mariachi shirts with matching pants and lighting up the stage for a crowd of adorning Rocket fans.

Tears for Fears closed off Saturday’s outdoor shows with their catchy ’80s pop tunes, accompanied by a killer light show. The two original members of the band who have been playing together for over three decades were beaming throughout their set, making them irresistibly infectious performers that ended the night on a bubbly note.

Portland’s very own Shabazz Palaces got weird on Sunday afternoon with their afro-electro-rap, leaving the crowd in awe. This duo is compelling to watch, with their random choreographed gestures and futuristic sounds. They were a hit of the weekend and brought pride to Portland and its diverse music scene.

Lord Huron slowed things down on Sunday afternoon with their California alternative folk sounds and devilish good looks. The band was fun to watch, but the haunting sounds that their albums possess didn’t translate well into a live setting. That being said, they engaged the crowd and added a nice softness to the weekend’s lineup.

Performing the Liquid Swords album, Wu Tang Clan’s very own GZA delivered intensity and sick rhymes during one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend. As the smell of potent skunk smoke filled the air, people were throwing up “Ws” with their hands and eating up everything this smooth-flow solider was dishing up.

Modest Mouse ended the festival with an outlandishly solid set of material from their long discography. The band’s show was supported by an intricate light display that added to their catchy hard rock. Lead singer Isaac Brock engaged the crowd between each song with his offbeat, witty sense of humour that left some fans confused but engaged. Modest Mouse were a main headliner of the weekend and killed their set, so that no fan was left underwhelmed.