Pygmalion Preview (09-27-2015): The Finale

So just as quickly as the shows were started, they are coming to an end. But fret not! for the organizers of Pygmalion have made sure to close it out with an impressive day of music. Here's my pick for some shows you should make sure to have time for on your schedule. Diane Coffee:After checking out Resinater at Exile on Main, all should make the walk down to the featured stage to check out the upcoming artist, Diane Coffee. Fresh off his sophomore LP, "Everybody's a Good Dog," the drummer of Foxygen is gracing Champaign with his personal take on psychedelia, amounting to a sort of fuzzy-retro sound that's dense enough to fill any venue and should translate nicely to the outdoor stage of Highdive.  With an album backed by everything from strings, to horns, to synths and fronted by the intriguing cross-bread character of Diana Ross and Nathan Pelkey, this is the middle-of-the-day show that is not to be missed. Who knows, if you catch Run the Jewels tonight you may even see him appear to contribute on the track "Crown."  Sylvan Esso:One can not even begin to describe my excitement upon hearing that Sylvan Esso would be playing this festival. Their self titled album from 2014 was one of the sonic highlights of this decade so far and still sounds fresh a year and a half later. Whether you saw their self-titled debut as a pop record that seamlessly knits Nick Sanborn's electronics into the folk-like delivery of of Amelia Meath's lyricism, or Meath's ability to provide a very intimate human touch to a record that is otherwise borderline EDM, this was a 10-track release that will not be soon forgotten. If you catch all of Sylvan Esso's set, it is only a short wait to catch the festival's surprising, but explosive, headliners, Ride. Elsinore/Strand of Oaks:For whatever reason, the executives of Pygmalion this year decided to exploit the fact that college kids have some pretty absurd bedtimes. That being said, I love it. Local heroes Elsinore (whose wikipedia page is a growing list of notable places their songs are being played) will be bringing us to the turn of the work-week with a set of their pleasing pop/rock sound and Strand of Oaks will bring us well into the wee hours of the day and close out the weekend of music all together. With their latest release "Heal", lead singer Tim Showalter  brings us the angst of his musical beginnings and takes the listeners on a powerful, cathartic, rock trip. If you're somehow still standing, this will be a memorable close to the most impressive Pygmalion that I have seen in my years at this University.