Day three of Desdemona (or “DesFest” as the locals were calling it) was every bit as wild as you’d expect from a day that gathers together The Fiery Furnaces, The Walkmen, We Are Scientists, Rogue Wave, and others. I wasn’t able to see everyone I wanted to for as long as I’d liked, but sacrificing one amazing thing for another didn’t really bother me that much.

Rogue Wave started the day off in a weird way. They were great, yes; but they were also marred by technical difficulties. Zach’s microphone kept cutting out or stopping completely, effectively ruining two whole songs. Still, the guys were troopers and even did one song without a functional monitor for Zach. Still, they were technically skilled enough to were the show was still one of the better ones that weekend.

I wasn’t that familiar with The Stills before Desdemona. I had their last album, but had never actually listened to the new one (it was a promo that wouldn’t play in my computer). Even so, I was impressed with their live show. If my memory’s correct, it was a bit odd when their co-lead vocalist forgot the words to one of their songs and had to throw it over to their main vocalist. But hey, who can be expected to concentrate at a place like Desdemona?

With a lineup like Desdemona had, it might seem a little bit weird for me to say that I was most looking forward to seeing We Are Scientists. I hadn’t seen them since this past November, and was really curious to see how seven months of touring had impacted the band’s performance. When I saw them, they were energetic, charming and as witty as you can imagine. So it would be interesting to see if they’d lost or gained anything after being on the road so long.

Believe it or not, they’d actually gotten better. I think that, in terms of solidness as a band, We Are Scientists rank right below Radiohead and Sigur Ros–two bands which are more likely classified as forces of nature, than actual bands. The Scientists were a perfect team, both during and between songs. They all brought something invaluable: Keith, the doe-eyed frontman, Chris, the witty breath of fresh air, and Michael, the core of their precision.

We Are Scientists had the biggest crowd for the side stages all weekend. Fans were lined up at the front twenty minutes before the band were slated to play, and the area filled up by the time they took the stage. Those in attendance were rewarded with rip-roaring renditions of such fan favorites as “Inaction.” Oh, and the hole in Keith’s underwear. Someone felt the need to throw a spare pair on stage after they noticed a tiny hole in the frontman’s drawers. And when I say “on stage,” I really mean “on Keith’s head.” And when I say “spare pair,” I really mean “let’s hope it was a spare pair.”

My group could not have been more mixed about The Fiery Furnaces. The biggest Furnaces fan was adamant that their lack of keyboards on this tour would doom them to sure failure. Myself? I actually enjoyed their more rocking set than the last time I saw them. Then they had done an hour long medley of their songs, with no pauses between them. Not only did I welcome the breaks (clapping is important), but I felt that this gave them the ability for Matt to focus on his guitar work. Yeah, keyboards are great, but he did some amazing things with his effects.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to react to The Walkmen. I loved their last album, but wasn’t too keen on the new one–plus, I’d been told that they’re iffy in concert. Thankfully the last set of Desdemona 2006 was one that ended it with a bang. The Walkmen were as close to perfect as I think they could be. From plunking out “We’ve Been Had” (maybe one of my favorite concert moment in near memory) to rocking out “Little House of Savages,” they were in top form. They closed with “Louisiana,” amid the roar of a thankful crowd. Must be the trumpet.

I don’t know how Desdemona did from the financial aspect, but it was definitely a success from an audience member’s perspective. Seeing that many great bands within an hour and a half’s drive from my doorstep was something that leaves me endebted to all the guys who put it on. I gathered from my time in Cincinnati that it did a lot for the community, and for the local’s sense of pride. The first Desdemona was a success–let’s hope it was enough of one to keep it from being the last.