Much to the chagrin of my friends, family and whoever else happens to be within earshot, I still haven’t been able to stop talking about this year’s Firefly Music Festival. Now that real life is happening once again (booo), my head is finally clear enough to jot down some thoughts on what I saw, who kicked ass, and who had the dopest moves like Jagger. Crazy shenanigans prevailed. Here’s some of the best:

Best Opener: Courtney Barnett
This was the first year Firefly extended its festivities to a fourth day, Thursday, which really whetted the appetites of all the thirsty music fans (It was 95 degrees and humid. We were also literally parched). Barnett was by far my favorite offering on Day 1. Her blend of classic-meets-contemporary, folk-meets-rock badassery was perfect for the setting, as Barnett unleashed her rambling Australian lyrics and jammy solos all over our faces. I didn’t mean for that to sound so sexual. (Or maybe I did?)

Best Brits: Kaiser Chiefs
Sorry Monkeys, this one’s going to the Chiefs. Granted, I’ve got some pretty heavy personal bias here (I’ve loved this band for over a decade and had never seen them live before), but Ricky Wilson and co. brought their A-game stateside. On tour in support of the band’s fifth album Education, Education, Education & War, hearing tracks like “Ruby,” “Every Day I Love You Less and Less,” and “Never Miss a Beat” live were a real treat…even if we did have to miss Grouplove for it.

Best EDM Act: The White Panda
I know everyone’s glow sticks were hard over Pretty Lights’ colorful, trippy set, but for this attendee, nothing topped Panda’s masterful mash-ups. There was true competition for this category (Girl Talk, Martin Garrix, Cash Cash), but Panda brought insane beats, an energy bordering on frantic, and lots of diverse genres in its remixes. When can I see them again?

Best Frontman/-woman: Cage the Elephant’s Matthew Shultz
When I first caught this circus act, then touring for their first disc, Shultz and his gang of pals looked like the wheels were going to fall off the entire time. They were wasted, loud, bratty, and had tons of New Kid in School attitude…if the New Kid was a 2007-version of a pot smoking, Harley-riding Fonz or something (or maybe Dylan McKay during his alcoholic years. Those were dark times.). But they astonishingly pulled it off and rocked our world, making me an even bigger fan of their antics. Now three albums deep, Cage is still doing what they do best: rocking the fuck out of every stage they stand on, especially that madman Shultz. The singer is definitely harnessing his inner Mick Jagger. He kicks, jumps, stampedes, rolls around shirtless in glitter: the dude is a fucking rock star. And true rock stars are scarce nowdays. Long live Shultz and Cage the Elephant.

Best Headliner: Foo Fighters
I’ve now seen the Foos three times and they’ve proven to be one of the most consistent live shows out there: high energy, loud, and always gnarly. Their set comprises of tracks from their entire career, starting with “Big Me” right on through “Arlandria” and “White Limo” off of 2011’s Wasting Light. The band even played four classic rock tracks under the band name and flag The Holy Shits. Songs by Alice Cooper, Rolling Stones, Queen and more added to the badassery that was the Foo’s Friday night headline set. I never understood why some Nirvana fans give Grohl a hard time for being successful and continuing his career. But Nevermind the haters – Foo Fighters are here to stay.

(I realize I used the word “badassery” twice now. It’s just that I doubt a thesaurus can help me on that one.)

Best Up-and-Comer: Kongos
The sophomore album from this South African band of brothers came out in 2012, but having recently signed with Epic Records, they’ve re-released Lunatic and have been hitting the U.S. tour circuit hard. Comprised of Dylan, Daniel, Jesse and Johnny Kongos (all sons of John Kongos), this alternative rock outfit surprised and awed, playing an afternoon set on the main stage. Expectations were completely blown. Kongos turned out to be one of the best unknowns the festival had to offer this year.

Best Dance Skillz: Beck
I’ve always liked Beck, but now I’m obsessing. The quirky, funky, smooth, alternative…whatever your favorite version of Beck…the man is a genius. I guess I didn’t really know how much I needed to see Beck, but life is far greater now post-Beck. I have achieved. I have lived. And now, I covet the man’s slick dance moves. He is equal parts awkward and confident, strutting his stuff all over the Lawn Stage while dishing out crowd-pleasers like “Devil’s Haircut,” “Sexx Lies,” and “Girl.” Then he covered “Billie Jean.” (Michael. Jackson.) It was unforgettable and 100 percent worth missing Sleigh Bells for.

Honorable Mentions: Weezer and Twenty One Pilots
These two deserve some kudos for being party starters. Twenty One Pilots kicked off the Firefly Stage on Saturday with their high-octane set of rap-rock-pop hybrid, loaded with masks, jumping, flying, and drum playing on top of the crowd. No one leaves a Twenty One Pilots show underwhelmed, even if the music isn’t totally your bag. But if you pay attention close enough, the duo’s lyrics are insanely poetic and heartfelt and that’s what initially won me over after catching their set the year before.

And who doesn’t love Weezer? It’s nostalgic, it’s fun, it’s a Pop Rock party. It was disappointing that these vets were only given 60 minutes (The Lumineers played after Weez for 90 minutes – gross), but Rivers Cuomo and the rest of band packed their set full of Blue Album faves, Red Album rockers, and a cover of Blur’s “Song 2.” Woo-hoo!

Worst Stage: The Forest Stage
Just past The Coffee House was this new awkward stage called The Forest Stage. At night, the stage was donned in brilliant, glowing beacons of colored lights. But getting to the stage was an issue. It was the smallest space around which created a sort of bottleneck as festival-goers tried to squeeze in past the sound booth tent to get some prime viewing real estate. It was such a disaster that we had to forego the RAC set even though we really wanted to see them. It was a bit of a disappointment, but luckily we didn’t have to return there often.

Best Stage: The Lawn Stage
There’s something about that section of The Woodlands that reminds me of that glorious first year. Not only do we have tons of great memories there, seeing bands like Cults, Walk the Moon, AWOLNATION, and more, but the space is wide and open, the sound is great, and it was close to The Coffee House, which always helped me dose myself with glorious caffeine. I saw a couple of my favorites there this year, too (Beck, Kaiser Chiefs). The Lawn is WHERE IT’S AT! (Sorry. Bad Beck joke. Will try harder.)

Best Totem: David Bowie as The Goblin King from Labyrinth
There were Grumpy Cats, regular cats, Uncle Jessies, Bob Sagets, Zoidbergs and more, but a true King rose among the rest. I’ve got to give it to the girl with the Bowie totem. Although it may not best my one true love from last year (Chef Goldblum!), but I have such a soft spot for Labyrinth, and Bowie, in that film, is not only a sight for sore eyes, but such a nostalgic reference and guilty pleasure. I actually ran up to the girl after the Kaiser set just to high-five Bowie in the face. Goblin King Girl – I SALUTE YOU ONCE AGAIN.

In sum: This is long. Firefly is awesome. And see you next year, kids. Maybe…just maybe…I’ll be able to stop talking about it now.

(But probably not. #SorryImNotSorry)