Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Festival

Bringing together bands from all over the world, Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Festival hit the hipster streets of Echo Park this past week. Beginning with a Kickoff Party Wednesday and ending with the FREE Toyota Antics Block Party Sunday, the five-day international music-palooza gave our talented friends from across the pond a chance to show LA what they’ve got. Thanks to local clubs like the Echo, Spaceland, 826, and TAIX restaurant, a barrage of wristband-clad twenty-somethings hopped from venue to venue in search of indie rock goodness. Standout acts included Amusement Parks on Fire from the UK, Gold Lake (originally from Spain, now Brooklyn-based), England’s White Lies, Australia’s City Riots (now on tour supporting The Smashing Pumpkins whilst Down Undah) and Canada’s Tokyo Police Club.

photo by Carlos Morales

Positioned as the original Main Stage headliner for the Block Party, the Tokyo Police Club set had been highly anticipated; and it’s no wonder with their popularity and evergrowing fanbase. Lucky for the crowd (and TPC), they did not disappoint. Full of confidence, energy, and imported beer, no doubt, the group led their fans through a short, but sweet set that got the girls bouncing around and the guys dancing awkwardly within their 18 inches of personal space. I’ll tell you one thing, they definitely made a fan out of me, after finally experiencing their ambition and all-around good tunes for the first time.

photo by Laura Miller

The last minute headlining addition to the Toyota Antics Block Party that inevitably pushed Tokyo Police Club’s performance up an hour, was none other than real-life indie sweethearts Jenny and Johnny. The boyfriend and girlfriend duo, Jonathan Rice and Jenny Lewis, were thrust onto the bill within days of the fest. Unfortunately, the haste with which they were added may explain all of the wasted time standing around waiting for the show to start. According to Lewis’ Twitter after the show, they “were plagued by technical nightmares beyond [their] wildest dreams.” Regardless of time, the loyalty was there in the crowd, among the dancers, clappers, and singer-alongers. They ended the performance with a song off of Jenny Lewis’ brilliant last solo effort, “Acid Tongue,” to many a fan’s delight! Not only did the band light up the stage Sunday night, but so did Jenny’s infectious smile.

photo by Carlos Morales