Sasquatch 2009 kicked off at The Gorge on Saturday, May 23 with

Sasquatch 2009 kicked off at The Gorge on Saturday, May 23 with Animal Collective, King Khan and the Shrines, Kings of Leon, and more. All photos by Renee McMahon. And lots, lots more to come. Follow all our festival coverage on Reverb.Published on May 24, 2009

Sasquatch 2009 kicked off at The Gorge on Saturday, May 23 with
In costume.

In costume.

Mos Def

Mos Def

Mos Def in his overalls.

Mos Def in his overalls.

The crowd at the mainstage.

The crowd at the mainstage.

Sunscreen and ironic shades.

Sunscreen and ironic shades.

Annimal Collective

Annimal Collective

Animal Collective

Animal Collective

Supplies.

Supplies.

Caleb Followill and The Kings of Leon closed out Saturday evening at Sasquatch.

Caleb Followill and The Kings of Leon closed out Saturday evening at Sasquatch.

Enjoying the view of the mainstage.

Enjoying the view of the mainstage.

You just need to get to know them. I promise.

You just need to get to know them. I promise.

Someone who just walked up to the band's set probably wouldn't have found anything remarkable about these self-designated fucking Limeys, but they are remarkable.

Someone who just walked up to the band’s set probably wouldn’t have found anything remarkable about these self-designated fucking Limeys, but they are remarkable.

Sara Brickner: I love Doves, and I'm really glad they came out of their hiding place and put out a new album this year (I blame them for all the British accents I keep hearing everywhere), but they're another one of those pop bands that you'll only enjoy live if you're already in love with their music.

Sara Brickner: I love Doves, and I’m really glad they came out of their hiding place and put out a new album this year (I blame them for all the British accents I keep hearing everywhere), but they’re another one of those pop bands that you’ll only enjoy live if you’re already in love with their music.

The afternoon's fashion parade.

The afternoon’s fashion parade.

Awwwww.

Awwwww.

Breathtaking festival, isn't it?

Breathtaking festival, isn’t it?

He wailed, strutted, danced, and partied while on stage like the eccentric lead singer that he's always been.

He wailed, strutted, danced, and partied while on stage like the eccentric lead singer that he’s always been.

The Montreal-bred East Indian frontman was insatiably vibrant and full of energy during his hour long set.

The Montreal-bred East Indian frontman was insatiably vibrant and full of energy during his hour long set.

Jonathan Cunningham says: There aren't a lot of lead singers that can perform at a music festival dressed solely in underwear, a gold cape, Airwalk shoes, and a headdress. But if anybody can pull that off, it's King Khan.

Jonathan Cunningham says: There aren’t a lot of lead singers that can perform at a music festival dressed solely in underwear, a gold cape, Airwalk shoes, and a headdress. But if anybody can pull that off, it’s King Khan.