Saturday, 10 July 2010
Rock Werchter 2010 Day 3: Perfect Festival Day
We were looking forward to this day since it had some nice bands lined up and it promised to be cloudy. But again the sun was forcing us out early. And before we knew it we went through our daily regular routine and made it to the festival site early.
Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders (Ronald Says 7 out of 10)
The first one up is Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. After his relaxed performance in June we decided to come up close to the stage again and got a top spot in front of the stage. They again were having lots of fun although this stage was a bit too big for them. But it's always a treat seeing a drum player like Hawkins beating the crap out of his kit.
Das Pop (Ronald Says 7 out of 10)
Belgian band Das Pop had no trouble filling the main stage as they brought lots of inflatable palm trees to add to the tropical feel. Ironically the sky had filled with clouds and the monsoon rain had started. No problem for these guys because with a lively and energetic set they put a smile on every one's face. Some palm trees even made it into the crowd. Haven't seen them afterwards anymore. They would look great with my hammock at home. By the end of the show the rain had stopped, things had cooled down and we had perfect festival weather for the rest of the day.
Yeasayer (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
I don't know what to think of their albums. They have so many ideas and styles that sometimes you feel a bit overwhelmed. But so many people were praising their live performances I really wanted to see them. Live on stage this overwhelming feeling of too many ideas was gone completely. Instead I was overwhelmed with all the creativity. They played a very tight set that was well balanced with all their different styles. Everyone was loving it and this was definitely a pleasant surprise. Time to pick up their albums again and see if I can absorb it better this time. And of course turn up at their live gig in Paradiso at the end of October.
Porcupine Tree (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
One of the bands I definitely wanted to check out was Porcupine Tree. Their complicated music sometimes makes me listen in admiration and other times makes me tired. But things can be so different live on stage. First I listened outside the Pyramid Marquee and watched them on the big screen. But shortly after they sucked me into the tent to watch it up close. Great musicians were putting down breath taking music with great effort. And everyone was watching with their mouths open.
The Ting Tings (Ronald Says 6 out of 10)
What is left after the big hype? New bands have taken their place as the hippest band on the block. What is left isn't enough to lay down an entertaining show on the main stage today. Of course everyone is dancing to their few hit songs including mega hit 'That's not my name'. But besides that that they didn't have much to offer.
Florence + The Machine (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
This lady is creating her own hype. She seems to draw bigger and bigger crowds and I still don't know whether to like it or not. Her singing works better for me in some songs like 'Dog Days Are Over' than in others where it's starting to get on my nerves. Fact is that she's killing it in the Pyramid Marquee today with an energetic set that sends everyone out with a blush on their cheeks.
P!nk (Ronald Says 5 out of 10)
She may look a bit out of place on a rock festival but most festivals like to surprise us sometimes. She still drew a big crowd because everyone wanted to see the killer show that was promised. And she was off to a flying start. Dropped from a cage that was lifted above the crowd she kicked off with her first song. An impressive stage set representing a carnival with lots of visuals supported her. But she also showed that she doesn't have many good songs. Apparently she feels like that herself too since she played many cover songs and not even that good. Combined with an overacting band I couldn't watch it anymore. The carnival started to look spooky and in the end we had been watching an expensive cover band. Even the flying wasn't real.
Rammstein (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
If you want overacting and a show that will blow you off your socks leave it to these guys. They have taken overacting to the next level. Is it theater with music or music with theater? Their show has all the known ingredients: lots of fire and fireworks, scary looking greasy musicians and bombastic metal riffs. But all with a wink of course. Their music with repeating distorted metal chords isn't all that great and many songs sound a alike. But no one wanted to miss a spectacle like this.
With all that fire we were longing for some fried chicken. So we were off to get one and swallow it down with some more beers. My body was already protesting with every muscle and joint aching. Nothing a good night sleep can't fix!
See more pictures over here:
Rock Werchter 2010 Day 3 Pictures
Rock Werchter 2010 Day 1 Review >
Rock Werchter 2010 Day 2 Review >
Rock Werchter 2010 Day 4 Review >
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