The main stage filled up with nostalgic hip-hop from Method Man and Redman of Wu-Tang Clan. Phoenix, a French pop-rock band riding high on waves of critical praise, was moved to the main stage at the last minute (due to illness from scheduled performers MSTRKRFT).

The set was unexpected but triumphant. Phoenix not only knows how to write songs that stick in your brain, they back up their songcraft with an emotional component that resonates with a large crowd.

At press time Mars Volta were displaying their over-the-top guitar histrionics and big hair for the relatively packed main stage, bringing a weekend of mixed blessings to a satisfying close.

From a quality standpoint, Monolith continues to satisfy in its lineup, but tweaks in its format and timing could easily make it the sort of festival that lasts.

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John Wenzel is the co-editor of Reverb, editor of the Get Real Denver blog and an arts and entertainment reporter for The Denver Post. His book “Mock Stars: Indie Comedy and the Dangerously Funny” was recently published by Speck Press.

To see Denver Post staff photographer John Leyba’s stellar Day 2 photo gallery, click here

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