25-08-2007 Geuzenpop

Enschede (Netherlands)
By: Wouter van der Kamp
 
  
  Due to the long trip I couldn’t make it to the first two bands. I didn’t know
  the names and usually these are the lesser bands so I couldn’t really be bothered
  by it. I dropped in on The Tommycats. Though the average age is unlikely to
  exceed the twenties much, this band stood there solid as a rock playing there
  poprock songs. Obviously influenced by bands like The Doors and Queen they were
  just doing their thing and enjoyed the nice weather just like everyone that
  day. 

Then Kudra Mata was supposed to play, but as I later heard from another visitor
  this band cancelled due to RSI of the guitarist. All that could be seen from
  this metalcore band on the festival was their merchandising. Sad thing but alas.
  I haven’t got a clue what band played instead. It wasn’t metalcore I can tell
  you. More of a ACDC/The Stones-like band. I just took a couple of pictures and
  found it a nice timing for just relaxing in the grass. I was too disappointed
  to pay much attention to the band. They obviously went crazy themselves but
  many people seemed to be of the same opinion as I was: nice to lay down in the
  grass while listening to this band. Later on I read on the website of Geuzenpop
  that the replacement was named Speed Bambergen.

  Moke, not a real complimentary name, but they played next on. The reviews also
  do not even come close to using this word as a classification for this band.
  I had heard so much about them that it actually made me curious. Typical Britpop
  is what they put in my ear. Not highly original, but very nice to listen to.
  The singer has a great voice and the atmosphere they created reminded me of
  Radiohead. I must admit that I’m not an expert on this sort of music and am
  not really into it, but I can imagine that people that are, really love this
  band. I would even buy their album if there weren’t so many other great bands
  that are still on the cd-buy-wishlist. Check it out if you’re able to.

 
    Originating from the brain of Erwin Nijhoff in 1993 this band has achieved
  quite somewhat. So much that Erwin took a break in between, but now he’s back.
  Nice ballads and singalongs, but nothing more than that. To me at least. Very
  good weather and what’s better than laying laidback in the grass with a beer
  in your hand to sip from now and then listening to relaxing music. Good choice
  of the organisation.

  Finally there was space for somewhat heavier music impersonated by the Danish
  metalcore band As We Fight. Finally artists that really went out of their mind.
  As a fotographer this is far more fun to shoot pics of than the relatively static
  bands that preceded As We Fight. And obviously this was what all the young people
  had been waiting for. The first real dancing of the day and as is usual with
  bands playing the heavier genres in musicland this implied headbanging and violent
  dancing. Respect to those people, seeing the temperature must have been something
  like 25 degrees. This band has obviously scored amongst the crowd. Nice treat
  after all these relaxing bands.

 

  The Kevin Costners are from a totally different calibre. The winners of the
  Grolsch Grote Prijs (a prestigious national contest for unsigned bands in the
  Netherlands) are again a band to relax to. Although it is clear that they have
  some fans, most people decided to relax indeed and listen to the quite diverse
  music of the Belgian/Dutch trio. From indierock to cowboyballads using simplicity
  as a trademark without sounding cheap. Good job!

  Then, when they were finished it was clear that the next band was a favorite
  of many. People had stood up to watch and many of them also to dance to the
  cheery tones of Mala Vita. A very happy and danceable mixture of ska, punk,
  reggae and dub. If I counted correct they had 9 people on stage with varying
  instruments. For example trumpet, sax and accordion. It’s hard to convey the
  feeling. This highly original band is one big party, on stage as well as in
  the audience. Definitely a good festivalact to warm people up (as if that were
  necessary with the still very high temperature). In that sense it was quite
  odd that they chose to put the next band, WOW Factor, after Mala Vita.

 
 
 

WOW factor makes danceable music as well, but are more of a 80’s inspired Britpop
  band.Besides a small group of fans everybody sat down again. And that was quite
  logical. For some it was time to rest because of their extensive dancing to
  Mala Vita, but to most people, with Mala Vita still running through their heads,
  this was just way too soft and not exciting enough. Not quite justified, because
  their Britpop was quite cool. But I can imagine the crowd’s choice. They of
  course had already seen some bands in the same musical corner. I enjoyed listening
  to it while eating my first fries. Which is by the way part of a big comment
  to the organisation: People want decent food, not just pancakes, fried snacks
  and fries!

 
 
  Luckily the next band was in for some dancing again. Just not as vivid and
  happy as Mala Vita, but it got people back to their feet again. I would have
  put Mala Vita after Capacocha just to keep everything going. But alas. Still
  a lot of people liked their thrashy electro rock & roll.  Then it was time for a band that obviously many people wanted to see. I heard
  quite some people talking about that this band was what they came to the festival
  for: German Punkrockabilly band Mad Sin. With their typical rockabilly outfits
  they draw the attention of many visitors and with a contrabass on stage it made
  a lot of people very curious. And from the first notes onward many people moved
  their feet to the beats. And after a few measures the immensely fat singer and
  figurehead of the band Köfte entered the stage. With tattoos all over his
  body, a nosering and a blouse that was way to small he was so unatractive to
  look at that it was actually quite cool. And what a great voice to accompany
  the instruments. What a performance. Again this is the sort of band that you
  want on your festival. It got lots of people going and kept them going.

 
    Unfortunately the bad food facilities made my stomach complain. I was not able
  to see headliner After Forever due to the last train to my hometown leaving
  very early, but I did want to see Malle Pietje & The Bimbo’s and perhaps
  even watch El Guapo Stuntteam for a couple of songs. Seeing my trip home would
  at least take me two hours I didn’t want to let this feeling to worsen. Hence
  I went home early. I had had a nice day. Lots of chilling in the sun. Enjoyed
  the more active bands and the atmosphere. Nice festival, except from already
  mentioned lack of proper food.
 
 
 
  More pictures are available at basementonline.nlLinks:
The Tommy Cats Official
Kudra Mata Official
Moke Official
Erwin Nyhoff Official
Speed Bambergen Official
As we fight Official
The Kevin Costners Official
Malavita Official
Wow factor Official
Madsin Official
El Guappo Stuntteam Official
After forever Official
Geuzenpop Official