Elvis Perkins in Dearland at Bonnaroo

I mentioned Monday that Elvis Perkins' set was my favorite at Bonnaroo this year. Sure the White Stripes killed it and Girl Talk blew us all away with his incredible sampling routine, but I knew that was going to happen. I listened to a little bit of Perkins' debut, Ash Wednesday , a couple of weeks ago, and was impressed by what I heard, but I wasn't expecting the awe I experienced during his afternoon performance with backing band, Dearland. A refreshing breeze blew through the tent as the folk-loving crew blessed a sun-beaten but sizable crowd with an assortment of songs, (relatively) old and new. Perkins' modern folk was a stark contrast from the neo-classic rock blasting from the Wolfmother set across the way, but it was the perfect introspective fare for a tattered, Sunday Bonnaroo population. Beginning with Dylan-influenced, Ash Wednesday opener "While You Were Sleeping," Perkins captivated us before introducing "Hey," a bustling new tune. The wiry, baby-faced songsmith then slowed it down again with the stunning "Emile's Vietnam in the Sky," before picking things up with the jazzy shuffle of "Without Love" and the driving rhythm of "Weeping Pilgrim," a song he informed us was a "dance number in the Civil War days." Perkins and company pulled back on the reins for the next stretch, delving into AW's quirky "Sleep Sandwich;" a new organ flavored tune, "Shampoo," and the bourbon-lulled number "The Night and the Liquor." Dearland left Perkins with his guitar and harmonica for the next selection, "It's Only Me," but their return saw a crowd-pleasing addition, Alec Ounsworth of CYHSY--a band Perkins opened for earlier this year. Donning a straw sun hat, the eccentric front man contributed electric guitar and backing vocals to "Doomsday," the most uplifiting number of the set, complete with spirited trombone, a rollicking drum line, and a "la la la" harmony. And with the carefree, jazz-infused, "1,2,3, Goodbye," Perkins brought his soothing act to a close, instructing the audience to "take care." It was a cheerful ending to an enriching performance, an hour of clarity that reminded us all that great music isn't always about booty-shakin', foot-stompin' or headbangin'--and that Bonnaroo's eclectic line-up allows for such realizations.