I can feel my feet, which means that SunFest must be over! My feet are happy, but it’s still a let-down, because that was one of my favorites!

It’s weird – I wasn’t all that excited about the line-up this year, and developed a wicked sore throat the second day. But it was exhilarating – so many old favorites kicking butt, and new favorites wowing me in ways I’d never been wowed. Here’s the wrap-up:

BEST PERFORMANCE: Bettye LaVette, who proved that neither age (62), stature (tiny short) or length of career before big break (four decades) need be barriers to undeniable star power. Her electrifying version of Lucinda Williams’ “Joy” not only improved on the original, which I never thought possible, but made me want to hunt down the dog who took Bettye’s joy and get it back for her. But singing like that, she doesn’t need me. I will remember the sight of her sitting on the stage, overcome, for the rest of my life. And always snicker at the memory of the MC introducing “Bettye Levert’s band!” Cause she ain’t much on Casanova!

BEST PERFORMANCE THAT WASN’T BETTYE LAVETTE: Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms, whose voice is unchanged all these years later, and not only brought back the beautiful self-indulgence of my 20s, but was the host with the most. He greeted his family members, many of whom were in the audience (”Hey, Uncle Larry!”), as well as a dude dressed as a chicken (”Thank you, Chicken, for all you’ve done for us these many years.”) His energy was infectious, as he frequently jumped into the audience and up onto the drum set to play the cymbals with his tambourine. My 90s crush was reignited for at least an hour. But everything is cool, until I hear it from you!

BEST DISCOVERY: Kinky, who I knew from their song “Mas,” but whose neo-New Wave Mexican jammy-jams I had no idea of. Their lead singer, Gil Cerezo, is a nutty ball of manic energy who launches himself across the stage like the possessed offspring of Richard Butler and Iggy Pop.

SADDEST NEWS: That David Cook’s brother Adam died of brain cancer, apparently the night of his show, and the night before David went to D.C. to run in a race to find a cure for it.

BEST REASON TO RESPECT YOUR ELDERS: Randy Bachman, who was “Taking Care of Business” all over the Tire Kingdom stage with his working class, laid-back awesomeness. I am changing my ring tone to “Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.”

UNOFFICIAL THEME OF THE COORS LIGHT STAGE: “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, which was covered by both the dandy, delicious Pretty Faces and their nifty suspenders, and Matt Nathanson, who has the voice of an angel and a kicking sense of humor.

BAND MOST ASKING FOR A MOUTHFUL OF SOAP: Pepper, whose music took a back seat in the word-of-mouth reviews, to their creative use of language. I wrote down a couple of the nasty, nasty things they said, and realized there was no way I could ever disguise them to make them appropriate for a family newspaper. You know who else curses every other word to look cool, guys? 13-year-olds.

LOCAL ARTISTS I’M GONNA BE LOOKING UP: Shauna Sweeney; B-Liminal; Solliloquists of Sound

BAND I’M MOST SORRY TO HAVE MISSED: Sly and Robbie