The Indie Anthology 13: essential songs

Back with the Anthology after Primavera Sound 2012, but the first song is still directly related with the Festival. It's a song to pay my modest and particular homage to the best concert I saw at Primavera, and one of the most special I've been part of in my whole life (so far). Needless to say, the song is an absolute classic. And the "open door" for a newcomer into the world of this criminally underrated and mythical band.

Song: September Gurls
Artist: Big Star
Year: 1974

It was unique from start to finish. Big Star's Third, the tribute seen at Primavera Sound, was the best example one could use to show everyone why music matters. Extraordinary musicians willing and thrilled to be part of the event. You could see it in their faces, gestures, happiness and concentration in their expressions. Why such an impressive indie cast wanted to homage Big Star with such a combination of respect and joy? What do the songs of these forgotten band have? A genuine passion, adopting different forms: from the sweetly gorgeous to the poignantly ragged. Tenderness and desperation encapsulated in stunning power-pop/pop-rock "pills", as confessional and revealing as powerful and uplifting. I'm just discovering Alex Chilton's music but I'm already haunted."September Gurls", their most famous tune, summarizes Big Star's magic, and it was the mandatory end of an incredible night (bonus points it was sung by one of my heroes, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills). Welcome, Big Star.