Indiepixie's Rough-hewn Guide to Europe's 'underground'/backstage/bootalish festivals? What?
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"We live in the mind, in ideas, in fragments. We no longer drink in the wild outer music of the streets- we remember only." -Henry Miller
So here goes folks. I posted a while back about what festivals are worth traveling to in Europe. As you Euros all gave amazing tips- and I got inspired.
I've decided to embark on a petit tour/adventure/music-infused beatnik odyssey from July 4th till July 23rd. With a little luck, creative karma & street smarts, I hope to capture some of the sun-burnt beer-beaten, sweat-covered, reckless tunes of summer in Europa. I've counted my piggie bank, rung up some friends, and consulted some guidebooks. I tried to pick festivals that didn't require camping (tho I am a trouper, as I am traveling alone- camping is not so ideal this time round), where the acts more than peaked my interest, those near locations where I have friends (and hence a couch), some that were maybe a bit more off the beaten path, and a few that were in such ideal locales I couldn't turn em down (i.e. Montreux, Barcelona?). Along the way- I will be snapping and shooting whatever airs on the side of irony, tinkles my conscience, should be wearing a warning label, or just flat out smells of ire/mucus/melancholy/maddness. After all, what would the world be like if everyone had a month vacation- devoted to the pursuit and recreation of music? On a more personal note, what state will my brain ressemble after these 3 wks?
The little trick is I need a bit of your humble guidance- you mog music sages.Part of the beauty of Mog is that it's has moggers spread out like a fine, invisible spider's web around the world- hands in all the musical honeypots if you will- and I'll need your help with suggestions for side-shows, acts to see, meals, travel tips, etc...while I make my way solo....Plus if any of you London cats, you wanderlusters, you Catalans, you divine french fiddlers care to join me en route - give me a holler below.....
DAY 1:
Today I kick off the journey by attending the 02 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park London. I'm heading there now- late- and deliriously hungover (green really, literally green)- to join and support Nicole Atkins, the fellow New Yorker I keep raving about. She's performing tonight- along with Morrissey, The National, Beck, etc...so I'll be doing some photo-journalism backstage- and along the sidelines, perhaps half lying face down in the grass at this rate :) .....We're hoping to get a peek at Morrissey on the sidelines....and raise a bit of fuss.
Phew, that said, you're probably wondering when I'll shut the fuck up- but the rest of my slidshod festival schedule is below...So here goes, countdown starts now, wish me luck
Faith-Ann's Rough-hewn Guide to Europe's 'underground'/backstage/bootalish scenes et festivals de la musique ? (translate as needed)
LONDON: July 4-7th 02 Wireless Festival
MONTREUX, SWIZ: July 8-10 th Montreux Jazz Festival
LEIGE, BELGE: July 10-11th Ardentes Festival
PARIS: July 12th-15th Festival Des Artistes
DORDOGNE: July 15th-18th S France ?
ANGOULEME: July 18th-19th Garden Festival
BARCELONA: July 19-23th Benicassim Festival/Summercase
peace peace, off to the park!
a slobbering hung-over indiepix
..."....there was about him a suggestion of lurking ferocity, as though the Wild still lingered in him and the wolf in him merely slept." - Jack London
Comments (17)
indiepixie:
There's a great band from Manchester, England called The Whip that is playing the Wireless Festival on Saturday, July 5th. I hope you get to check them out. The Whip's single "Trash" is one of the best pieces of dance punk I've ever heard.
Wow, now THAT is a trip! A shame you're not coming to Holland, though our biggest festival is in August with camping. (Though if you ever have the time, there is one without camping, indoors, and is held twice a year with the newest mostly British acts. Alas, that's not in the summer.)
Anyway, wow! It's a pretty heavy trip though, hope you manage all the travelling and stuff. It's gonna be a real event though, this trip will. Have fun! Looking forward to the tales off the road. ;)
It's lucky for you I've already come up with Joxley's Patented Festival Survival Tips ;)
Wow, this sounds really fun. Have a good time!
Hmmm. Eeenteresting.
good luck, and if you ever need help with festivals over seas I will do my part
I'm ridiculously jealous...have a blast!
lucky, so lucky.
yeow! the kind of trip i've always wanted to take but never had the time... Rock on and be safe - will be living vicariously from the sidelines... - Van
hope you're having loads of fun at Wireless.Shame you're not here in London a week later, got a great gig lined up!
Chalky
http://terriblelovesongs.blogspot.com
You could hit WOMAD before heading back: "This year's festival at Charlton Park takes place from 25 - 27 July and is set to recreate that trademark WOMAD environment: an atmosphere that is safe, welcoming and more than a little magical."
WOMAD is always a great weekend. If you need a guide to ease your way through teh troubled lands you intend to visit, I work for travel expenses....
Jox has officially saved my ass.
van and jonh- I'd love to but I've got a non refundable ticket back on the 23rd! shucks :)
Will keep you guys updated. It's been nothing but thrills thus far :)
your a lucky women
Hey stranger, great review and pictures. It was a really chilled-out experience, but the highlight of the summer for me. I'm pretty certain I'm going to Benicassim from Lisbon, perhaps we could meet for a beer and swap summer stories?
With all that's on your menu, don't get too pixie-lated. In any case, I'm sure we'll be pix-elated by your photos...
slinkerton- most definitely- i am organizing benicassim right now so be in touch!