Kaleidoscope Music Festival’s muddy finale saw struggles with equipment, but ultimately the crowd weathered the elements for a memorable final day.
Though it began to sprinkle in the early afternoon, the typical Northwest made a cameo appearance over Emerald Meadows when it started to pour all over the grasslands. It had appeared that a show like GRiZ’s, who took the stage at 4 p.m., might be playing to open field; but instead a hundred or so festival-goers packed upfront.
GRiZ, a Detroit-based producer specializing in electronica and funk, beckoned the crowd, taking shelter under tents in the meantime, with a few blares of a saxophone. They wore ponchos, brought their umbrellas, or generally shrugged off the rain as usual. GRiZ kicked off his set with “Getting’ Live” and told the soaking crowd, “Let’s keep it moving, yeah?”
“Right when the rain picked up there was a big drop [in the song],” Lauren Windhorn said. “It was amazing.”
At one point during the set, fans began bouncing an inflatable mattress into the air. GRiZ also led the crowd through “Shout” by Lloyd Williams, as well as the first half of “Tequila” by The Champs. Though his brand of techno-funk seemed be a great fit in making the best of an otherwise dreary afternoon.
“I thought the rain was more fun,” said attendee Jalaya Frisella-Kunst. “It made me go way harder.”
Australian electronica duo Empire of the Sun capped off the weekend. The rain had let up by the time the group took the stage and, as had been the pattern for the marquee talents at night, drew in a large crowd.
“It was a really amazing way to close out the festival,” said Kaija Bross.
Empire’s unique style, with contrasting intergalactic visuals and tribal symbols, festooned with shiny headdresses and costumes, played very well to the late crowd.
“They put in a lot of effort and you could tell,” said Claire Moxley.
Playing many songs from their most recent album, Ice on the Dune, Empire of the Sun brought live instruments and back-up dancers. They also pumped out fog that occasionally formed a screen so members could perform their costume changes.
“I really loved their dancers, they were so cool,” said Carly Lathrop.