We Know It’s Only Rock N’ Roll But We Like It

[Photos by JEFF FUSCO COPYRIGHT 2010]
BY JONATHAN VALANIA FOR ROLLING STONE Like France, the picnic remains proof positive that, despite wild-eyed Tea Party protests to the contrary, socialism actually can work. Everyone brings something, we all share, and everyone live relatively happily ever after — sometimes anyway. Such was the case at Saturday’s third annual Roots Picnic at the Festival Pier in Philadelphia. Senegal’s horn-y, percussion-heavy Baja and the Dry Eye Crew brought the world beats. Face-painted, ukulele-strumming one-gal-band TuneYards brought the weirdness. New Orleans rapper Jay Electronica brought the conspiracy theories (specifically the damning federal indictment of “Candyman”).  Detroit’s Mayer Hawthorne, who looks like Buddy Holly and sings like Smoky Robinson, brought the neo-Motown confections. The Clipse brought the thuggy street cred. DJ Jazzy Jeff brought the turntablist party favors. John Legend brought the socially-conscious soul. Wu-Tang alums Method man, Raekwon and Ghostface The Killah brought the legacy. The Roots brought the meat and the fire and Vampire Weekend brought the delicious indie-rock cake for dessert. MORE