BETHLEHEM, Pa. — We're only halfway through this year’s Musikfest, but there’s already a clear champion for 2024 — and that’s Saxsquatch.
No, seriously.
We know, Greta Van Fleet and Tonic and Slash and so many others have rocked the Steel Stage in 2024, but this beast managed to bring even more energy to a venue the size of a cave on Tuesday.
The bellowing Bigfoot behemoth made four performances at this year’s ‘Fest, entrancing the community with a blend of electronic backing and live saxophone playing across decades of pop music.
All while dressed up in a giant Sasquatch outfit.
Saxsquatch, also known as Dean Mitchell, started his musical cryptid career when he began uploading video covers to YouTube in 2019.
A rendition of Daft Punk’s “One More Time” skyrocketed him to internet fame, leading to features on Tosh.0 and viral stardom.
By 2021, his “Live From The Woods” performances became a Facebook streaming staple.
That same year, he joined forces with John Oates for a cover of the Hall & Oates classic “Maneater,” further pushing the giant into the stratosphere.
Surprised at a sighting
Saxsquatch is no stranger to Bethlehem: Last year, he opened for Here Come the Mummies, another band with a distinct visual element, at SteelStacks.
"And while kitschy, I found myself saying, 'This is really good,'" ArtsQuest Senior Programming Officer Patrick Brogan said.
"In an era of Instagramming and Snapchatting and stuff, this is certainly something to post on your story, and then you find yourself staying because this is, like, really good. 'Yeah, I want to hear more of this.'"ArtsQuest Senior Programming Officer Patrick Brogan
"It's not something you're going to listen to for a two-hour block of time, but we put them on the Town Square in these, like, half-an-hour, an hour turnovers of other stages.
"And in an era of Instagramming and Snapchatting and stuff, this is certainly something to post on your story, and then you find yourself staying because this is, like, really good. 'Yeah, I want to hear more of this.'"
But on Tuesday night, the ‘Squatch was but one humanoid looking for a place to jam in the midst of a rainstorm. [He originally was scheduled to play on the outdoors Town Center stage.]
Thankfully, ‘Fest organizers were able to bring him into the ArtsQuest Center, which was quickly packed with a rabid fan base.
Combing through a library of EDM-and-sax-laced pop covers and a few originals, to boot, Saxsquatch had the crowd enraptured from the first note.
A towering talent
He towered over just about everyone in long-haired outfit, wraparound shades, and his very own branded Saxsquatch bandanna.
The venue, while last-minute, made for an almost intimate, private atmosphere, adding to the air of mystique and allure.
Between a sensual take on George Michael’s "Careless Whisper" to an even more excitable version of Toto’s “Africa,” those looking for brass covers on pop hits were in good fortune Tuesday night.
With but a simple electronic setup and his trusty sax, Musikfest’s favorite beast busted out the beats to incredible aplomb, blazing through his half-hour set nearly effortlessly.
Flying from smooth to speedy in an instant, Saxsquatch made a mountain out of his humble electronic backing to craft a monumental performance.
By all accounts, his outdoor Monday performances were even more intense and well-attended, but Tuesday’s set left no one wanting for great entertainment.
Perhaps the biggest draw, besides the outfit, is the fact that Saxsquatch can expertly weave his touch into those electronic renditions with surprising heart.
He’s not just talented — though he sure does know how to make that brass work even while covered in hair — he’s tactical, evoking a strong sense of connection with the crowd which really resonates.
Face-to-face with the beast
At one point, he even took a tour around the room — not before politely advising the crowd not to touch him as he worked — bringing the spectacle right up in the face of those who were situated a bit further back.
Raucous, deafening cheers filled every inch of the ArtsQuest Center following every track, with calls of “Squatch! Squatch! Squatch!”
Within those walls was a sense of magic, where one man in a Bigfoot costume could capture the attention of hundreds for just a bit of time, encouraging them all to believe in themselves and enjoy their time at Musikfest.
It’s that sense of positivity in an increasingly nihilistic world that really made for a great show — just a dash of lightheartedness and pure pop pleasure to take your mind off everything and just vibe with your friends, both new and old.
Closing out his set, Saxsquatch played an original tune, “Northern Lights,” an upbeat but sultry track which managed to pump up the crowd even more.
It was fun, festive and just what a crowd of people looking for some shelter from a rainy evening needed to brighten their days.
The explosive applause rounding out the show just about said it all: The Squatch was the one to watch, and, at least in one crowd’s opinion, the standout star of Musikfest 2024.
