This year's Siren Festival, the free concert thrown by the kind folks at the Village Voice, was an absolute success. Many said this year's line-up was weak but I couldn't disagree more. Expectations going in were cautiously set in the middle of the curve, and every performance I saw was really entertaining. Highlights: Dungen's post-Zeppelin psyche rock, Diamond Nights and their screaming (female) fans, Spoon's pro set, Ambulance LTD's diversity and excellent songs. Nine Black Alps were better than expected and have been listening quote a bit of Nirvana's Bleach from what I could tell.

Yesterday Femi Kuti and the Brazilian Girls played a free show at Central Park's Summerstage. Below are pics of Brazilian Girls (from a distance). Great show. Summerstage, which can be a brutally windless hot spot in Central Park, enjoyed a downpour during "Pussy," always the highlight of the band's set.

For more pictures go to Coolfer's Flickr page as well as the Siren Festival 2005 group Flickr page. Other photos can be seen at Brooklyn Vegan, The Modern Age, The Real Janelle's Flickr page, Jen C's Flickr page and Siren Festival photo set and Central Village's Siren Festival photo set. Or try your luck at the "sirenfestival" Flickr tag page.

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