Glenn,
I couldn't agree with you more with your rendition of the highlights (but thats to be expected...;) ) . Michael Franti and Spearhead by far earned my top vote also - which was a surprise. There are moments in life that come from left field....that are all at once unexpected but welcome.....that catch you off guard but you find yourself embracing them intensely. And I can only say that for that small moment, listening to this band I felt that I was listening to the right music at the right time for all the right reasons. Their set was poignant, heartfelt, and moving in all ways. Glad we shared that.
Old 97s will of course also go down in the books...nothing compares to a band that are so comfortable together musically that they function as a unit...and have the stage presense to pull everyone in along with them. And I held on to the belief that although I felt like Brit Daniel had a few before going on stage, the Spoon set would only get better. I wasn't disappointed. They get my vote as band I'm not listening to enough. I have to add that The Donovan Frankenreiter Band gets an honourable mention. Sure, we were tossing around the football (with me trying to commit random acts of violence to cautious passers-by...), but I was keenly aware of the pleasantly tidy set that was going on in the background. It might have been the pigskin influence , but they at least deserved a walk-up that I didn't give them. (As a side note I think I succeeded in scaring your brother...always fun.)
I knew coming to this festival I was going to be torn. I knew that there would be key times at the event that I was going to make choices that might come back to haunt me. Missing The Shins and Yo La Tengo were two of those moments. Bob was good, no doubt, but in some ways though I felt he was trying to be all things to all people. I love versatility, and really enjoyed the string and brass section he had on stage.... and of course I enjoyed the set in general, but I was wanting something....dirty. I don't know. I guess I wanted to see the more scabs/ugly americans side of things. If you want to be all things...(including doing 2 covers......even IF one of them is Violent Femmes......DESPITE the fact that you have some great original songs.......) then go all the way!! And Yo La Tengo? Well, right around that time is when I hit the wall. It was both unexcusable but unavoidable. If only I had a little left at that key time to have made the better decision....

And your second post. I can't deny that when I walked in to Kevin's apartment at 2 am Friday morning I took a few breaths before doing so. That seeing everyone around the table was both comforting and uncomfortable. That I still associate Nicks room with Nick....but didn't feel it was right to be the girl in the situation and bring light to that in a room full of guys. (Not that I had any problems with that ratio though mind you......) It was, again, a moment, but I'm glad that someone else also had a similar moment during the weekend. I admire you for posting it. I sensed distance on Sunday but long days and even longer nights can make me analyze things to death. (I don't think its a bad trait I have...I just have gotten better of analyzing internally before outwardly making people wonder what I'm on with all my hyper-analysis....) I like your column for the very reason that things like this come to light. 
In a small group of friends that are searching for purpose....in a bus full of concert goers that are striving for inspiration....in a park full of people seeking musical fulfillment....its the moments that bring us closer. I'm going to work on calling the moments as I see them instead of quietly observing them. 
Good post. Great weekend. Hopefully many more moments to come.
c.