Monday 25 June 2012

Sniffing The Grass: A Rock Werchter 2012 Warmup



It's June, rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are beating down on the low lands. That means the festival season is at full swing and it's almost time for our yearly trip down South to our favourite Belgian festival Rock Werchter. This time they added a third stage, which means there'll be more bands and more choices to make. So let's line them up and see what we can expect. See the full line-up over here.

Thursday
We can take it easy driving to the festival since the first band I want to see is Bombay Bicycle Club. The little hype around them seems to have quiet down by now, but they are still worth a visit to the new stage called the Barn. Later on it's The Maccabees on the same stage that still need to convince me. We're gonna get insane in the membrane with some old school hip-hop by Cypress Hill. Let's take the Garbage out with Shirley Manson and co. and see if they still got it. Elbow is always a great festival act although we've seen them so many times now. I can't remember anything about the last time The Cure were visiting this festival so I'll pay better attention this time with this legendary band. The last album by The Kooks wasn't that great and their music is actually a bit too teen-girl-happy for me, but somehow I always enjoy watching them. Justice may just be the right band to finish us up for the night.



Friday
After the first day, which on paper is the busiest day for me, we have an early start today with School Is Cool. Hopefully they can get rid of that ferocious hang-over on the second day that always seems to trouble me every year. Miles Kane is having a great year and made a good album, so I'm definitely gonna watch him again. Then there's not a lot to my liking. Time to stroll around a bit, have some food and drinks and then maybe see a bit of the Gossip. I can only grasp a bit of The Temper Trap before rushing back to the main stage for Jack White. Will he bring his guys or girls band? I never can get enough of the always great dEUS. And of course I certainly can't get enough of one of my other favourites Pearl Jam. After Eddie and friends I want to catch Beirut and their interesting indie music. That will probably wrap up today, after of course finishing off with a few more cold beers.



Saturday
My body has gone into survival mode by now, so let's start slow and soulful with Michael Kiwanuka followed by the great Alabama Shakes. Then we're gonna pick it up a few notches and rock hard with Wolfmother and Kasabian. Then I'm finally gonna see My Morning Jacket, one of the best live bands around according to some. Then it's time for some "Frietje Stoofvlees" or some grilled chicken and apple sauce. Or maybe check out M83 after all? Of course we'll be back on time for Editors. It's going to be interesting to hear how their sound has changed. Guitar player Chris Urbanowicz didn't leave for nothing I guess. Third day down, one more to go.



Sunday
Belgian band The Hickey Underworld make interesting music so we'll start off early with them. Then we can stay at the main stage for The Vaccines who will most certainly play some new songs. I love Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and am really looking forward to seeing him play. Then things slow down too much for me or just aren't my cup of tea. Maybe see Ed Sheeran, since I recently won a signed 7" of The A Team that sounds pretty nice. We may as well just stick around for Florence + The Machine and Snow Patrol before the closing act Red Hot Chili Peppers will hopefully finish up with some musical fireworks. I was a big fan but kind of lost interest after the last few albums and a bad performance a few years ago. Hopefully they can win me back over. The Jupiler most certainly will have by now.



You can find a downloadable time schedule on fellow blogger Tbeest's blog or over here.

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