Mission Creek Festival brings the rock, lit

With Guided by Voices as the top-billed act, you know it’s a lock that I’m going to be all over the Mission Creek Festival. Starting tonight and running through next Monday, the festival brings dozens of music acts and authors to town for eight big nights of rockin’ and reading. In its sixth year, the festival seems to have come into its own, nabbing top-drawer acts that span genres, and putting together a schedule that is manageable and appealing.

Over the course of eight nights, there are shows I want to see on at least seven of them (a great local band that I’ve seen dozens of times plays Friday, and that might give me the chance to catch up on some sleep). I’ll write a bit about each night, which will include reports about several bands I’ve not heard before, as well as some like Jeff Tweedy, Kim and Thurston from Sonic Youth and Guided by Voices — that I have seen before.

One of the top draws is one I’ll likely pass on: filmmaker John Waters. I saw him lecture in Iowa City a few years ago, and while he was entertaining, I don’t need to hear him again.

Here’s what to expect in next day reports:

Tuesday: British Sea Power
Wednesday: Railroad Earth
Thursday:  A taping of the great Sound Opinions radio show and a solo Jeff Tweedy show.
Friday: Gordon/Moore (a lecture and performance)
Sunday: Guided by Voices
Monday: Kurt Vile
Tuesday: Wye Oak

There also are several top-notch authors in town for the fest, and as energy and life allow, I’ll check out some of them as well. Stay tuned for much more.