Buster’s was significantly less crowded for day 2 of Boomslang.  While audiences packed the former warehouse the day before for Faust, Mission of Burma, and Atlas Sound, the crowd was comparably sparse on Saturday.  

While  Disappears was setting up, I headed to the parking lot to check out the Boomslang Carnival. It was freezing outside, but apparently it didn’t phase the Girlie Girl Burlesque dancers.  While I was shivering in my sweater, a woman with hot pink hair and tattoos was stripping down to her skivvies on the runway.  My friend came to grab me right as the feather boa and pasties came out to inform me that Disappears (Chicago, IL) had just started.

Actually, she mistakenly thought the Black Angels were playing, which was an understandable mix up.  The band share similar styles, a reverb-heavy, psychedelic take on post rock, and both are dark as hell.  Still, something about the band failed to catch my attention, so 20 minutes into the set I headed back outside for the burlesque show.

When I came back in for The Black Angels (Austin, TX), a sizable crowd had gathered.  Their last album, 2008’s Directions to See A Ghost, was a darker, droning homage to bands like Brian Jonestown Massacre and Spaceman 3 so I was expecting a pretty heavy show.

What I found, though, is that their live show is surprisingly inclusive.  Sure, stoners love the psychedelia-saturated “Doves” and “You On The Run.”  But I also found myself dancing next to a middle-aged guy in a suit and his wife to  the sexy, drum-heavy “Science Killer.”  Next to Mission of Burma, it had to be my favorite show of the weekend.

Overall, I really enjoyed myself at Boomslang.  For the festival’s first year, the turnout was impressive.  The shows were more intimate since the venues were smaller, there was plenty to do throughout the day before the shows, and the festival brought an awesome lineup.  My one complaint was the scheduling.  Most of the big acts were crammed into Friday,  which explains why Saturday’s crowd was significantly diminished.   Of all the bands, I think I was most excited to see Os Mutantes; alas, the band was scheduled at 9:30 on Sunday and I had work on Monday.  I would have been more inclined to stay for the show on Sunday.   Aside from a few kinks,  I think Boomslang is definitely a much needed festival in the area, and one I hope will continue in the future.