The Thousands

Okay who’s psyched about Sugar Mountain huh? I bet your first thought was, “I shall get to witness Mike Shoun and Lars Finberg wielding their sticks in unison! I cannot wait to see Greg Saunier paradiddling! And I am also pumped to find out what Tune-Yards’ drummer looks like.”

All right, maybe that wasn’t your very first thought. Drummers may be the butt of every rock joke but without these doctors of rhythm so many bands would succumb to chronic funklessness. As an unofficial opening to the festival, video artist Keith Deverell will celebrate the least-admired band member – and under-appreciated stage antics more broadly – with his installation Grace Note, presented by Speakeasy Cinema. On a huge screen at Polyester Flinders Lane the stickspersons from Fabulous Diamonds, Galapagoose, Forces, Fatti Frances and PVT will have their gurning faces blown up (in size, not explosively) and their drumming / percussioning action screened in slow motion.

Watch every facial tick, every drop of dribble cascading from their distorted mouths, every ripple of arm-flesh succumbing to the mighty beats they themselves have created! And, if you’re there at the opening night, you can also view Forces and Galapagoose in person, interpreting their songs in real time (i.e. playing instore).