Sunday marked the 26th consecutive concert I have attended this summer as well as the 25th for Superglued’s 50 Free Shows in 50 Days; going to a show every day has been a stressful but rewarding experience producing tired legs but happy ears. Sunday's venue was Williamsburg Waterfront. The artists I saw were Magnolia Electric Company and The Dirty Projectors. The temperature was incredibly hot as a hipster heavy crowd streamed through the metal gates to enjoy the last refuge from a work-a-day world that is a Sunday afternoon concert.

As the audience baked, Magnolia Electric Company played a set of psychedelic infused garage with more than a hint of country influence. Singer Jason Molina’s voice reminded me of Neil Young’s, and the swirling organ of keyboardist Jim Grabowski conjured Bob Dylan’s highway 61. When the band played their new album’s eponymous single, “Josephine,” Molina channeled Willie Nelson to create a soulful ballad of lost love and remorse. Magnolia Electric Co. shows its influences proudly and delivers skillfully crafted tunes; they've learned from the best and taken the lessons to heart.

Next up were headliners, The Dirty Projectors, an indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. Front man, songwriter and guitarist Dave Longstreth began the group’s set accompanied only by his partner singer Amber Coffman who provided smoky vocals over Longstreth’s graceful fingerpicked arpeggios on “Two Doves.” The duo were then joined by the rest of the band, comprised of Angel Deradoorian (vocals, keyboard, guitar, bass), Brian Mcomber (drums), Nat Baldwin (bass), and Haley Dekel (vocals). The band’s sound was highlighted by the lush vocal interplay of Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian who exchanged rapid fire, tight harmonies with Longstreth on songs like “No Intention.” The first few notes of the danceable “Stillness Is the Move” drew applause from the crowd as Deradoorian sashayed playfully. “Stillness” was dominated by a catchy angular guitar riff repeated throughout the song which (like much of the band’s work) channeled the West African melodic sensibilities of Afropop.

Dirty Projectors seems poised to achieve a new level of fame. The band is set to tour with music from their just released album Bitte Orca ( the name pairs the German word for please with the name of a whale species). As Longstreth has explained, the combination of words in the title "has something a little bit barbed and sharp, as well as something smooth and affirming and gentle." Notions of balance, opposition, contradiction, and unity are important to Longstreth and perhaps explain why David Byrne has called the bands' music "completely strange and oddly familiar."

“You guys are soooo talented,” a female audience member blurted out enthusiastically between the band's songs. The crowd giggled at the awkwardly timed pronouncement, but the girl was right; Dirty Projectors create sonic tapestries so intricately woven they are unforgettable.

Williamsburg Waterfront is a perfect summer venue. I'm bummed that I never got the chance to see a show at McCarren Pool when the parties were happening there, but as far as I can tell: this is a stellar alternative. The river is directly behind the outdoor stage, there are numerous activities to do while waiting and plenty of space to roam, and there's an open park directly next door where you can picnic with friends and still catch the show. That's what I decided to do yesterday -- sit just outside the barricades surrounding the concert area and watch the show from there while we ate cheese and crackers and grapes and had a generally perfect summer day with awesome summer music playing in the background.

Up first were Crystal Antlers. I got there just after the beginning of their set, and as we took our place on the grass I took a minute to really listen to what I was hearing because I loved it. At that point, I didn't know their name -- but I loved their sound. They're a tough group to pin down, musically. They're very clearly influenced by a lot of different genres of music (garage, punk, soul, lo-fi, blues, psych rock) but don't give off any one clear vibe under which you can categorise them. The singer has a soulful, rocky, but mildly shrill voice that fits perfectly with the music and lends an interesting touch to the already complex sound. I loved it.

Next on: Magnolia Electric Co. Since we were sitting outside the bounds of the concert and couldn't see the stage as well, I didn't really know what was going on up there. To us, it sounded mostly like purely great country music with just influences of other genres. Jason Molina, vocalist, had a slow and lilted way of singing that lent itself nicely to the folk rock sound we were hearing -- earnest heartbreak under the hot July sun. It was the perfect background soundtrack to an afternoon on the river and was only heightened by the set directly after.

Dirty Projectors were last on stage, and by that point the crowd both within concert bounds and in the park had pushed in and filled up. Playing Williamsburg Waterfront was like coming home for the Dirty Projectors, who are from Brooklyn and loved being back. Dave Longstreth and Amber Coffman, leads of the group, took the stage to do a duet, and their unique voices complimented each other so, so nicely. The harmonies were tight, the melodies were playful, and the talent on stage was palpable, even from far away. There's a reason that so much of the population of Williamsburg had shown up to see the band play, and it's more than just the "free" aspect of the concert. It's because of the band on stage and their immeasurable potential to go far beyond where they are.