Roots Picnic at the Festival Pier in Philadelphia

A few weeks ago we road-tripped with some friends to Philly to see an outdoor music festival hosted by our faves the Roots, who invited a bunch of their faves including Gnarls Barkley, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Deerhoof, the Cool Kids, and more.  (Santogold was supposed to be on the bill but had to cancel at the last minute.)  It was 100-degree heat that day, but we didn't let that stop us.

And no one cared about the stifling heat whatsoever once Sharon hit the stage.  She was so blazing that she made it feel cool out.  Corny metaphors aside, she really, really knows how to rock a crowd.  We've been raving about her for years now.  But it's still so gratifying, when she starts performing, to see the looks on the faces of people who are unfamiliar with her.  You can just see in their expressions the evolution of their thought process -- from stiffly reserved (I don't think this is really my kind of music, it's so old-fashioned) to slightly more open-minded (I'm not really one to dance, but they do have a tight groove) to happily accepting (OK they got me, this chick is fierce!) to giddily euphoric (Cotdamn, did someone slip an E pill in my Poland Spring?)

As much as we love the Roots, we thought they'd have a tough time following the Dap Kings' ridiculously energetic set.  But nope, ?uest and Black Thought and co. ripped it, they tore down the house (err, pier).  It was the best performance we've seen from them in a long time (we've probably been to at least half a dozen Roots shows just in the last year or two).

By the time Gnarls (headliners) came on, we were kaput.  We had to leave.  But to see back-to-back sets by two of our favorite live acts -- the two best live acts out there today, we would argue -- was more than enough to keep us with big goofy smiles on our faces.  (And there wasn't anything in the Poland Spring.)

Goodies: As usual, we want to give you something unexpected, so instead of songs off the last Sharon album, here are two Dap King cuts from the brand new Daptone 7-inch Singles Collection, Vol. 2 . . . "I Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Is In" and "How Long Do I Have To Wait For You (Instrumental)"

Comments

[JO]

Whoah, you guys were troopers, standing outside all day and night through that heat! I don't blame you though, that was a great lineup. Sharon Jones and The Roots alone would have been worth it!

And I love the pics! In Sharon's case, I can't believe such a tiny woman can contain so much energy! I mean The Roots put up possibly the most dynamic live show I've ever seen. The fact that Sharon gave them a run for their money really says something!

JO

[Elisa]

Hi, I'm planning to go to the Roots Picnic this year and while I was doing research I stumbled across this blog. Would you be able to tell me how long the concert was? I will be departing from Manhattan so I don't want to arrange transportation too early or too late. Thank you very much!

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