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Stephen Thompson Stephen Thompson is a host, writer and reviewer for NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He appears frequently on All Songs Considered and NPR newsmagazines.
Washington, DC - May 03, 2016: Stephen Thompson CREDIT: Matt Roth
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Stephen Thompson

Tuesday

Sasquatch 2011: The Globes, Live In Concert

The Globes, on stage at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival KEXP/Alex Crick hide caption

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KEXP/Alex Crick

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: The Globes, Live In Concert

A young pop-rock group on the cusp of a promising journey beyond its Pacific Northwest home, The Globes just released a moody but spirited full-length debut called Future Self.

Sasquatch 2011: The Globes, Live In Concert

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Sasquatch 2011: Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, Live In Concert

Sharon Jones performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. Brittney Bush Bollay for KEXP hide caption

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Brittney Bush Bollay for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, Live In Concert

It's almost unfair to put Jones on a bill with a bunch of mopey young indie-rock whippersnappers: The savvy soul veteran's energy, power, control and almost supernatural on-stage confidence are liable to blow away anyone who surrounds her.

Sasquatch 2011: Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, Live In Concert

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The Decemberists, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

Colin Meloy of The Decemberists performs at Sasquatch Music Festival 2011. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

The Decemberists, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

Multi-instrumentalist Jenny Conlee wasn't expected to join the band only weeks after a breast-cancer diagnosis. She appeared nonetheless. On Memorial Day 2011, the band played songs old and new.

The Decemberists, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

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Monday

Sasquatch 2011: Wavves, Live In Concert

Wavves performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Wavves, Live In Concert

Nathan Williams and company bring their willful punk primitivism to a late morning set.

Sasquatch 2011: Wavves, Live In Concert

Listen · 39:16
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Sunday

Sasquatch 2011: Iron And Wine, Live In Concert

Iron & Wine performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Iron And Wine, Live In Concert

On his latest album, Sam Beam's whispery folk has morphed into a many-tentacled colossus of a band. Recorded live at The Gorge on Saturday, May 28, Iron and Wine performs here as part of the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival outside Seattle, Wash.

Sasquatch 2011: Iron And Wine, Live In Concert

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Sharon Van Etten, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011
James Bailey/KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sharon Van Etten, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

Van Etten is no ordinary guitar-wielding singer-songwriter: Sure, she sings softly and woundedly, but her music has teeth.

Sharon Van Etten, Live In Concert: Sasquatch 2011

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Sasquatch 2011: The Thermals, Live In Concert

Hutch Harris of The Thermals performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. Brittney Bush Bollay/KEXP hide caption

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Brittney Bush Bollay/KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: The Thermals, Live In Concert

Speedball punk built around a sharp sense of pop craftsmanship, The Thermals' songs careen giddily from strength to strength.

Sasquatch 2011: The Thermals, Live In Concert

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Sasquatch 2011: The Antlers, Live In Concert

Peter Silberman of The Antlers performs live at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. Brittney Bush Bollay/KEXP hide caption

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Brittney Bush Bollay/KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: The Antlers, Live In Concert

For the new Burst Apart, the Brooklyn band wrote a bunch of soaring, catchy songs that never tread familiar ground or sacrifice power and beauty.

Sasquatch 2011: The Antlers, Live In Concert

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Sasquatch 2011: Aloe Blacc, Live In Concert

Aloe Blacc performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Aloe Blacc, Live In Concert

One of the great recent records to accompany a late-night drive through the city, Aloe Blacc's Good Things synthesizes the sounds of vintage soul with a contemporary vision.

Sasquatch 2011: Aloe Blacc, Live In Concert

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Sasquatch 2011: Dan Mangan, Live In Concert

Dan Mangan performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. KEXP/James Bailey hide caption

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KEXP/James Bailey

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Dan Mangan, Live In Concert

Vancouver-based folk-rock singer Dan Mangan writes songs with a high degree of intimacy, but he's no shrinking bedroom performer.

Sasquatch 2011: Dan Mangan, Live In Concert

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Sasquatch 2011: Wye Oak, Live In Concert

Wye Oak performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Wye Oak, Live In Concert

A young Baltimore duo with a big sound, Wye Oak has already built up a formidable catalog of moody, achy, beautifully blustery rock songs about the futile pursuit of normalcy and contentment.

Sasquatch 2011: Wye Oak, Live In Concert

Listen · 39:18
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