Mac DeMarco

The new project of former Makeout Videotape man Mac DeMarco is a far looser play on his influences, but it suits him better. Without a clear agenda, and in this case, without a venue -- DeMarco played a gravel backlot behind El Gordo -- he was free to indulge his every whim. Musically, that meant he could jump genres like Pavement circa Wowee Zowee, switching from jerky indie rock to smooth, breezy pseudo-Tropicália at will. Physically, the show was even more liberating. Without a ceiling, the singer jumped from his highest amp onto the concrete wall behind him, mugging and leaning seductively on it as though it were a chaise lounge. A small but very appreciative crowd got one of the hidden treats in the form of this "NXNExperiment." Oh, and regret of the festival? Missing out on the Men and Doldrums, who also apparently played the alley before DeMarco.