Live Review: Project Pabst, Day 1 - Hustle and Drone, Run the Jewels

Under the watchful (and still proud) eye of Captain Pabst, steadfast day drinkers with koozies in hand turned out to hear PDX electro-darlings Hustle and Drone open day one of Project Pabst. The trio's fresh synth pop cut through the 97 degree weather. With just as much sweat and half as many keyboards featured in the video for their hit “The Glow,” the local group brought it. Unfortunately, the sluggish crowd suffered from a bad case of ants-under-magnifying-glass — Hustle and Drone’s music demands movement, which is not something you’re likely to see much of in a sober and sweltering crowd more concerned with nursing their first PBR than jamming as hard as the band.

Hustle and Drone:

“Let’s GO El-P” might be Killer Mike’s first words on RTJ2, but it was a PBR-pickled dude who feverishly shouted the words at bromantic rap duo Run the Jewels as they got things going on the Blue Ribbon Stage. Fists and guns shot up as Killer Mike, who was higher than the Ross Island bridge behind him (from which a few passersby watched), and El-P ferociously worked through their latest album (no, not Meow the Jewels) and debut hits alike. Apart from set highlight “Early,” which was dedicated to Mike Brown and Eric Garner, and a few expletives hurled at Donald Trump, the pair kept things relatively light for a crowd looking to rally around beer rather than social issues. Midday lethargy was forgotten and fans lost it for “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” and eagerly filled in verses on “Love Again.”

Run the Jewels: