Saturday begins with rain, and it occurs to me that, as far as I know, this is the first year the festival has had to deal with inclement weather. The drizzle continues through the first several sets—Titus Andronicus, Jay Reatard, Caribou, among others—finally letting up during Fuck Buttons’ set on the Balance Stage tucked away in the southwest corner of Union Park.

A crafty hipster makes good use of the mud

By the time Dizzee Rascal launches into his first song on the Connector Stage, the sun is out and starting to burn fiercely. Dizzee tells the crowd that “This ain’t no fucking picnic!” Not to be contrarian, Dizzee, but from where I’m standing, it looks like a picnic.

“Don’t make me go old school!” Dizzee bellows. This is clearly reverse psychology, because he then proceeds to go old school. The crowd roars approvingly.

In a purely subjective, unscientific assessment, the crowd this afternoon seems immensely larger than last year’s. Vampire Weekend is up next on the main (Aluminum) stage, and the audience swells for their set.

Vampire Weekend performs with the Sears Tower in the background

I never quite caught Vampire Weekend Fever when it was going around earlier this year, but what I’m hearing now is undeniably enjoyable and infectuous—the perfect accompaniment to the brightening weather.

The dirt on the ball diamonds has turned to mud, and the lines at the Porta-Potties are only getting longer, but there’s no sign of this jovial crowd going pulling a Woodstock ‘99. Meanwhile, !!! is setting up on the Connector Stage and there are clouds closing in over the park again. Let’s hope the rain, if it comes, isn’t enough to dampen the spirits sure to be lifted by !!!, the Hold Steady, Jarvis Cocker, and the Animal Collective.

More photos:

Tim Harrington from Les Savy Fav makes some money on the side giving haircuts

The poster sale

At the DEPART-ment Store