ITGWO 2019 Day 1 + 2

The island of Vlieland is waiting for us again for another edition of that wonderful little festival Into The Great Wide Open that we visit annually. The sun is out and we are already sucking up its ray on the ferry to the island. I can already feel that lovely island mood flowing.

Into The Great Wide Open 2019 Thursday August 29

Squid

The festival kicks off for us with one of the most interesting new bands of the moment. Squid from Brighton play catchy and danceable punk rock songs that sound like a mix of The Rapture and LCD Soundsystem. Drummer Ollie Judge who is also taking care of most of the lead vocals has a bit of hysterical way of singing which fits their hyperactive music. The way he's phrasing his lyrics is clever and the rest of the band support him with energetic and percussive grooves. The hesitant crowd are slowly doing their first dance moves of the festival.

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Onipa

We head to the bigger stage in the woods and we find a big crowd there, that has been warmed up completely by Onipa. The band from the UK with singer K.O.G. from Ghana has many people dancing to their hip hop, dance and percussive music with plenty of West African grooves. That is an excellent mix and K.O.G. is a wonderful frontman who is dancing around stage with a big smile on his face. This is one of those bands that will light up a festival with positive vibes and beautiful music.

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Whispering Sons

After seeing Belgian band Whispering Sons killing it a few times, we don’t want to miss them playing the only indoor stage of the festival. The dark small venue should be fitting for their even darker music. The sound is a bit dry though and it makes their music less powerful, making it harder to get into. Fortunately ‎Fenne Kuppens keeps working the crowd with her expressive performance and low voice. In the end they are able to grab me again with their gloomy and impressive show.

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Into The Great Wide Open 2019 Friday August 30

BCUC

I found out that I saw this band from Soweto some years ago as well on this island. Judging from my post I wasn’t really impressed. But a few months ago I really liked the energetic and lively performance. Today again the band plays a steaming show with a catchy mix of spirituals, soul and hip hop. The big drums keep the dancing going while Jovi Nkosi is singing, rapping and screaming tirelessly. Kgomotso Mokone's beautiful voice adds the soul and percussion and the wonderful bass of Mosebetsi Nzimande adds a lot of sugar to the steady grooves. The crowd keeps growing throughout the show and the band wins everyone over. There’s also time for some stories about the problems in South Africa and a message of unity. At the end Jovi has a heartfelt shout-out to his child and the man taking care of him now.



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Daniel Norgren

I’m really happy to see Daniel Norgren again, since I love his music so much. It’s his second time on the island where I got introduced to him his first time here and completely got swept away. The gentle Swede starts out small behind the piano and then gradually lets it rip. The new songs are once again mostly laid back Americana tunes with Norgren’s skilful guitar that he sometimes will let erupt. His loyal band is a perfect match and plays with a lot of heart. The crowd feels this and is listening in silence, grabbed by Norgren’s music. It’s beautiful that such a happy crowd can stay quiet on a sunny afternoon like today. It is the audience Norgren deserves. He states this is one of the best festivals he ever played, quickly adding that he not just saying that. This festival and this wonderful musician are a perfect match.

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Yola

Some years ago Yolanda Quartey played in a band called Phantom Limb that was winning over hearts very fast. Suddenly they quit after their first album and I never got clear what happened. Now she’s back as a solo artist with similar Americana and country style songs. Mostly these songs are gentle tunes with the amazing voice of Yola. She is able to belt out incredible vocals but chooses to keep it small most of the time. The songs stay a bit on the safe side and it never gets so impressive as the first time I saw her. But the charismatic Yola is lovely to watch, looking very happy on stage performing her own music.

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Equal Idiots

It’s time to fire it up again and this Belgian duo are exactly what I need. Their explosive garage rock songs are all loud little firecrackers that start a small pit in front of the stage. This wonderful festival crowd is always a bit hesitant with wild guitar bands, so it never gets out of control. Singer Thibault Christiaensen notices this and keeps firing up the crowd until the pit starts growing. The duo never lets it slip and comes up winning in the end by playing contagious raw rock music with a lot of effort and energy.

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KOKOROKO

There’s a lot of music from the big African continent this year, or inspired by it. KOKOROKO draw their inspiration from afrobeat and jazz, which means they are channeling some of Fela Kuti's music and some amazing jazz as well. Indeed it’s quite jazzy with the three horn players at the front, but at the same time has exciting afro-beat vibes, making it very suitable for dancing. Trumpet player Sheila Maurice-Grey is also the front woman and the large band draws an equally big crowd to the stage in the woods. It is great to see so many people turning up for a band that doesn’t exactly play avarage festival friendly music. It proves the open mind of this festival crowd although it helps a lot that you can dance to this music. I like their sound a lot and all the happy dancing pepole around us between the trees makes for a lovely sight.

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The Murder Capital

Hailing from Dublin, this group is one of the products of the exploding post punk scene there. The music of this five piece is on the dark side and the indoor stage is a good place for it. It’s an intense performance with the impressive front man James McGovern, who seems untouched by the big turn up. He doesn’t really have a great singing voice, but his vocals go very well with the dark and violent post punk. The other band members are circling around him, waving their guitars dangerously close to each other’s heads. This band is great to watch and I’m going to keep an eye out for them.

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All Pictures

Into The Great Wide Open 2019 Day 3 + 4

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Kliko Fest 2018

It's becoming a tradition that we visit the annual Kliko Fest in Haarlem, a garage punk rock 'n roll night festival at the Patronaat venue. It simply is such a fun night every year with a solid line-up, a wonderful audience and cold beers. This year the line-up simply looks amazing so we definitely couldn't miss it.

Kliko Fest 2018 at Patronaat Haarlem, July 14 2018

Nick Oliveri Band

I was surprised to see Nick Oliveri opening the night at the main stage, since most people don't come this early. Indeed there isn't a huge crowd yet, but this doesn't bother Oliveri for a bit. He's playing with his friends of the Dwarves, except for Paul Cafaro, who play the same stage after this one. Cafaro does have a guest appearance halfway the set. Oliveri gives us a walkthrough of his career playing songs from Mondo Generator, Dwarves and other solo projects. The bass player knows his way around the stoner, punk rock and heavy rock and has quite a respectable catalog to choose from. When he plays Queens of the Stone Age's 'Millionaire' it is clear though, the period he was in that band and earlier on in Kyuss, was his finest hour.



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Equal Idiots

Belgian band Equal Idiots are a really fun garage rock duo with catchy songs that are irresistible. The two young musicians have a contagious uplifting stage presence which makes their music even more fun to watch. Their energetic performance turns the small Patronaat cafe into a sweaty rock 'n roll spot and I'm sure they have made new friends tonight. As they tell themselves it's amazing so many people showed up while The Dwarves are playing the main stage at the same time.

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Dwarves

We catch the last part of Dwarves, the punk rock band founded by Paul Cafaro that Oliveri's has been part of once and a while as did many other members. They are considered one of the last true punk bands and formed in the late eighties. Of course the band has aged a bit but are trying hard to relive their golden years with a mix of their punk and hardcore songs. It turns into a festive show with a more than willing crowd and a wild pit in front of the stage. A not so well aimed stage dive by one of the audience members causes a bit of a scare but later we see the guy limbing towards the ambulance with a grin on his face. It's just one of those crazy wild parties that can happen at Kliko Fest.



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Los Mirlos

And so on this festival you can find yourself with a Peruvian psychedelic Kumbia band. This turns out to be a very tasty mix and the 45 year old band draw a rock crowd that can appreciate a tropical party. There are only a few older members in the band left, but together with their younger fellow musicians they are treating us to a hot Kumbia show that here and there has some ska ingredients. The band is clearly enjoying the crowd and the warm welcome.

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Birth Of Joy

Dutch band Birth of Joy seem to fit in at any kind of music festival around. They are playing big rock festivals but are also able to impress people at blues festivals and tonight heat up the main stage over here. This band has grown so much since their first album Make Things Happen almost ten years ago and only get better. Their sound has matured and these guys are amazing musicians with a stunning performance that knocks everyone off their feet. Another win for this must see band.

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The Mystery Lights

On the second stage The Mystery Lights are killing it tonight with bouncing ball Mike Brandon leading the pack. They are firing off vintage style garage rock songs and make them sound alive and fresh. We're watching the band from the balcony who are playing on the scarcely lit stage. The active Brandon is hardly standing still and the lively performance is wonderful to watch and puts a smile on many faces.

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FIDLAR

We continue the party at the main stage where FIDLAR are turning the hall into one wild pit. Shoes are flying around, people are flying around and everyone on and off stage is having a good time. FIDLAR's songs may not be the most original or subtle but you can give these guys a call when you want to have a good time. Sometimes it's just fun dancing along to songs about beer.



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ET Explore Me

The further the night progresses and the more beer is flowing the better the bands get. Local heroes ET Explore Me are giving a wild rock 'n roll show with a crazy organ flying loose. By now at every stage you turn to, people are dancing and enjoying the hell out of this festival. This band gives them exactly what they want so everyone can continue to boogie.

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Oh Sees

For me Oh Sees, or OC's or Thee Oh Sees, or whatever name John Dwyers's group goes by these days, is the biggest name on the bill. I'm surprised to see it is less crowded than the FIDLAR show. Maybe it's the time of the show, since it is already getting late, although this is a night festival of course. Besides changing their name, the band fortunately hasn't changed a thing about their music which is still to the point. This band simply are one of the best on the scene, with all musicians including the two drummers lined up at the front of the stage. The group is playing extremely tight, with a show that has an incredible tempo and never dies down. Tonight they are playing with a lot of power and are tearing down the roof one more time. Definitely the highlight of the night, which is already full of incredible performances.

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Although there are still some bands playing, we call it a night and leave on a high. Kliko Fest is one of the best rock festivals around with the coolest, dirtiest and most fun bands around and without a doubt one of the best crowds. The vibes are so good here and people come here to simply have the best time and party like there's no tomorrow. We are definitely coming back next year again.

Al Pictures

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