I arrived at the High Noon fashionably late Thursday evening and was happy to see that the night started off on the right foot with All Tiny Creatures displaying their considerable talents and up beat math rock sounds. The crowd was somewhat sparse early on, but it didn’t prevent ATC from delivering a powerful set. Their sound varied widely from eerie, drawn-out guitar solos to raucous, balls-to-the-wall jams that seemed to captivate the audience and kick off what would be a very encouraging start to Forward Fest '09.

They were followed by Juniper Tar, a Milwaukee-based folk rock foursome that displayed a great deal of technical skill and creativity, but who still seemed to be searching for a sound to call their own. The early portion of their set was comprised mainly of slower folk songs that had a distinctive bluegrass feel and impressive vocal harmonies. The end of their set was all out rock with band members jumping around on stage, and it seemed out of place compared to their earlier tunes. An eclectic sound is one thing, but the contrast in styles made the overall performance seem somewhat disjointed and confused.

The crowd built throughout the evening and by the time Megafaun hit the stage, they were visibly (and audibly) excited to see the draw they had produced. The turnout was warranted as the band put on an impressive display to close the night. Every component of their time on stage (and off, as they hurriedly rushed into the audience during their second song to play in the middle of the crowd, bringing everybody into the fold) was upbeat and entertaining. The smooth, folksy sound they produced was impeccable, their banter, which covered everything from moms to sweat lodges, was hilarious, and their bubbly attitude and antics on stage were entertaining yet reserved enough so as not to distract from the music.

Thanks to Muzzle of Bees and FMF for bringing a quality show to the High Noon on Thursday, and thanks to everyone who came out to support a fledgling festival. If all the showcases and groupings are as successful as the one last night, attendants are in for a treat over the next couple days.

Ben Roovers

Ben was born in Madison and grew up in the Fox Valley. He moved back to Madison in 2003 and will be starting law school at Marquette in the fall. His writing for Dane 101 consists mainly of concert and album reviews.