[Mount Eerie]

This year’s MusicFest NW differed quite a bit from last year’s. 2008’s festivities showcased a number of old favorites, but the focus seemed largely on some burgeoning new acts like Fuck Buttons, Monotonix and Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. This year the festival was full of many familiar faces. Bands like Japanther, Mount Eerie and Modest Mouse turned in great sets, but one’s Portland has hosted many times before.

Among the new faces though, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes absolutely stole the show(s). Anyone who was fortunate enough to catch Pains at their intimate Doug Fir set, and Edward Sharpe at their packed Holocene appearance likely left the festival with those two shows in mind. Also, John Vanderslice (the show I was most excited for) turned out to be amazing, and he was just the opener!

Check out my photos from all the aforementioned shows after the jump.

[Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes]

[Totally Michael]

[The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart]

[Mount Eerie]

[Japanther]

[John Vanderslice]

[The Morning Benders]

[Love As Laughter]

[Modest Mouse]