MeVs has returned from Free Press Summer Fest dehydrated and satisfied. Though the weekend was packed with various events around town, we were able to make it out Saturday, August 8th for a much needed dose of live music. Familiar faces and the unmistakable smell of patchouli filled Eleanor Tinsley Park for two unprecedented days of great music backed by a rarely appreciated Houston skyline.

It was apparent the festival hosts weren’t quite prepared for the uncensored mass of hipsters, hippies, and everyone in between showing up to support their love for indie music. Lines were long, temperatures were high, and event staff was quite rude. (I spent the greater half of Broken Social Scene convincing a gatekeeper I had the proper photo pass. His response: “I’ve never heard of MeVs.” This guy is joking right?)

Though Houston suffered from the inevitable first festival hiccups, their power-packed lineup quelled any complaints this veteran festival goer had. I honestly can’t see how Eleanor Tinsley could possibly handle any significant growth next year. Parking was already scarce and seating will definitely become a problem with reputations rising. Summer Fest should be taking notes from local Okie phenomenon, Norman Music Festival – who, in their second passing, rocked the Southwest with a small budget and free awesome all around.

Keep it up Houston. Your Lollapalooza alternative for the weekend should start quite a stir in the years to come. Also, call Chromeo, they’re due for a Texas tour.

More pictures after the jump >>