80/35 Festival (07/02-03/2011)

Nestled in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa’s capital just around the corner, 80/35 festival blends the openness of a local street fair and the big name drawing power of a major festival. Showcasing local food, beer, crafts, and even an entire free stage dedicated to some of the state’s best bands, the festival really is a display of the best Iowa has to offer.

Friday’s headliner Girl Talk’s party (see photo above) brought to a close a Saturday that included bluegrass burners Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, history punks/nerds Titus Andronicus who were fascinated by the big screens (Patrick Stickles via Mr. West: “Hard to be humble when you’re stunting on a JumboTron”), Iowa folkies Thankful Dirt, the jazz-funk fury of Galactic featuring Living Colour’s Corey Glover, Jessica Lea Mayfield’s improvised an intimate acoustic number, and more.

On the eve of the Fourth of July, of Montreal saved the U.S.A. with the help of some lucha libre fighters, Okkervil River put on the best set of the weekend digging into their back catalog, newcomers Bear Hands impressed with incisive dance-rock, recent-signee Yelawolf repped Shady Records well, Karl Denson turned in a funky fusion cover of Cold War Kids’ ‘Hang Me Out To Dry’, Handsome Furs put on a sexy dance party of their own, and some B-Boys grooved to the sounds of Iowa City’s Uniphonics.

Check out some of our pics below, and head over to our Facebook page for even more.