The trick to navigating Garagefest was planning your itinerary down to the minute.

The line at Berbati’s Pan was long all day. Soon, event staff would only let a person in if someone left the club.

Live from Scion Garagefest: The Dirtbombs took the stage with two hammering drummers, adding a thunderous backbone to their rip-roaring attack.

Live from Scion Garagefest: Many of the concertgoers I spoke with proclaimed the Dirtbombs to be the best band at the fest. I would not disagree. Guitarist-singer Mick Collins absolutely scorched from beginning to end.

Perhaps taking a cue from Monotonix, one of the Dirtbombs’ drummers moved his kit down to the floor toward the end of their set.

Trying to keep the hyperactive Mick Collins in frame was no easy task.

For some reason, Elvis was not asked to perform at Garagefest. But he took it to the streets—even in the rain.

Live from Scion Garagefest: Kid Congo is a guitarist and bandleader who’s been a member of the Cramps, Gun Club, and the Bad Seeds. Resplendent in a cool cape, Kid Congo played a spine-tingling mix of R&B, psychedelia, and rock en espanõl.

Live from Scion Garagefest: Cute band alert! Tennessee vixens Those Darlins displayed punk moxie, house-party chutzpah, and a tuneful approach that belied their tough-chick persona.

Live from Scion Garagefest: The strangest thing about the Strange Boys, from Austin, was the front-and-center presence of a gal who didn’t sing but kept time tapping her umbrella.

This is me and some guy named Ross. I told him he could be in the slideshow if he bought me a beer.

Live from Scion Garagefest: Goodnight Loving deserved a bigger crowd than the spotty attendance at Satyricon. The Wisconsin combo’s blend of twang, fuzz, and harmony was scintillating.

Kid Congo and his drummer get up close and personal. Nice mustache!

I loved Canadian combo Simply Saucer’s honest, bar-band approach to psych-pop, but I was apparently in the minority. Someday Lounge was jammed for this set.

Memphis legend Jack Oblivion’s set at Dante’s was a great way to finish off the night. Rough and soulful like the Stones, a hard voice of authority like Springsteen or Warren Zevon.