There is an unwirtten law of the universe somewhere that says every time we go to a show at Merriweather Post Pavilion, it has to rain for at least 40-percent of the time we are there. Not just sprinkle either, like at least one extended period of monsoon-esque conditions is required.

Despite the weather being a schizophrenic asshole (we came home sunburned AND soaked), it was a pretty good time. This was our first foray into the salad-centric world of the Sweetlife Festival and the quality of the whole production was quite astounding.

This festival makes much better use of the space at Merriweather than the larger–also freer– Virgin Mobile FreeFest. There was a coherent, whimsical theme all throughout the festival grounds Saturday. The whole place felt like a big, loud farmer’s market. There was an emphasis on local vendors (food trucks, DC Brau and Chocolate City beer vendors) and everything just seemed to work better.

As for the music, here’s a blow-by-blow of our day at Sweetlife: Continue reading →