When I saw the schedule for Thursday, my expectations were sky high for the day. My expectations were not only met, they were exceeded. I missed most of Sleeping At Last’s set the day before, so I caught them again for my first show on the day. The best played much of their new album called Keep No Score I then met up with the rest of our group to go see some of the future of music on the New Band Stage. The Upstairs Devine is the first band of the day, playing a laconic, lush set of slow rock songs. The next band is The Canvas Waiting and apparently they normally have more members, but today it’s just the singer, guitar player, and bass player. To their credit, the songs are interesting enough even as a “partial band” to get me to pick up their EP.

Linford Detweiler is a no-show for his afternoon solo show at the Gallery Stage, so The Lonely Hearts fill in. Today the show is only the two brothers on keyboard and guitar. Nonetheless, they provide some folksy pop music. The show makes me wish I could see their show on Friday.

All of our group goes up front to get thoroughly rocked by The Violet Burning and rock they did. The band was only a three piece band, but there was still enough noise and energy to keep us rocking. I don’t know any other band that consistently rocks more than this band and at Cornerstone Micheal Pritzl always manages to bring an element of worship to the set. Hearing “As I Am” again was worth the price of admission alone. I stayed around afterwards at the Indoor Stage to see Gasoline Heart, a rock pop band that reminds me a harder rocking version of Counting Crows, or something similar.

As the sun begins to set, we walk down for our first trip to the chaos that is the Main Stage. This stage sits in a valley formed by the natural dam for the lake of the grounds and forms a natural amphiteatre that can hold thousands. For some bands, playing on Main Stage is when you’ve finally “made it.” Copeland plays first and I have to confess that I think they are a better studio band than a live band. It’s still a very good show, but the albums sounded so great that it’s hard to compete with them. Anberlin follows and they are rocking it (even if the singer prances around the stage like Mick Jagger.) I really wish I could stay to see their whole set, but there is no way I’m going to miss Mute Math.

I’m glad I show up when I do. Even though it takes forever for them to sound check, the crowd shows up early and the tent is packed. Of all the shows I saw this weekend, this one had the most energy from the crowd and the band was excited to be there. Between the frantic drums which are up front on the stage for the crowd to experience, Paul Meany wanders from instrument to instrument breaking out the keytar and leaping off the top of the Rhodes piano. The drummer is all over the place playing percussion all over the stage, even on an upside down drum stool, all while having a gash on his hand. The crowd is going crazy and loving every minute of it. Amazing. Too bad I can’t find their album anywhere at the festival.

Over the Rhine closes at the day with a midnight Gallery Stage show. The show is slow and sultry, featuring Byron House on bass and Devon Ashley on drums. Badminton was played. Karin discussed “the pole.” Awesome as always. I will post a review devoted to this show here soon.

Of course, more pictures have been uploaded on my Flickr account.