Dijkpop Festival 2017

I've been keeping an eye on the Dijkpop festival for a few years, since this small festival keeps coming up with interesting line-ups. This year we can even stay at a friend's place, so it is the right time to set off to the small town of Andijk.

Dijkpop, July 8 2017

We couldn't have picked a better year since today promises to be a perfect festival day. The sun is out and the festival site looks great. Despite it being a festival run mostly by volunteers that grew from a local event to a larger scale, it is a professional looking site with everything you can expect from a festival these days. Time to see some music.

Jo Goes Hunting

Playing this early in the afternoon isn't the best spot for a band and not many people have shown up to see Jo Goes Hunting. That's a shame since this band is worth watching as I found out before. It doesn't get drummer/singer Jimmi Hueting and his band down at all and they make sure the few people that have joined are treated to a very good set. This band seems to get tighter every time I see them and the songs sound very convincing. It isn't always the most accessible music, but the clever songs, spiced up with samples and electronics, have plenty of dynamics and groove to do a little dancing. Too bad not enough people showed up to start a party.



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St. Tropez

Former band Go Back To The Zoo are more lucky and although the main stage is far from crowded, more people want to see this successful indie rock band who turned to garage and punk rock. Even though they have changed their musical style and name, this band is simply very good in writing good songs. The mostly short garage rock songs are always catchy and have a nice ring to it. It's very hard to stand still and the somewhat easy going and nonchalant, but at the same time energetic appearance of the band is quite addictive. It's a good way to wake people up today.



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MY BABY

This band is taking the stages of the low lands by storm and are playing every festival with great success. And for a good reason since their danceable voodoo blues music is irresistible. I saw them play at the Into The Great Wide Open festival a few years ago and they have come a long way since then. Singer Cato van Dijck and drummer Joost van Dijck, brother and sister, and New Zealand born guitarist Daniel Johnston found a successful formula which results in a steaming set that makes it impossible to stand still. Cato van Dijck's vocals are all about sound and the lyrics seem subordinate to the hypnotic vibe they are adding. Instead it is all about the groovy jams that keep on going for the entire show without hardly any stopping, that put you in a trance. It turns the tent into a hot dancing party and another victory for MY BABY.



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Indian Askin

Another band that is doing very well is Indian Askin. Their clever psychedelic songs with a punk edge are going down very well and they are starting to catch on with a bigger audience. The band underline their rising star with a convincing live show that is full of energy. The songs sound great live too and the band has grown into a tight group. If they keep spending miles on the road, this band can keep on growing.



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Michelle David & Gospel Sessions

Last year we saw Michelle David and her Gospel Sessions kill it at Into The Great Wide Open. And what's not to like? Her amazing voice together with a tight band is catching on with many people. We are able to watch the last bit of her show and it is obvious that the crowd here loves her as well. She has a great stage presence and is working hard to win everyone over with heartfelt soul and gospel songs. In the end it isn't hard to give in to so much passion.



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Death Alley

While the night the night has fallen, things are starting to get more wild. Hard rockers Death Alley had a bit of a wild ride of their own while replacing their bass player, but are back on the road again. Their soulful metal is hard and heavy with a softer psychedelic side and is still great to watch. Singer Douwe Truijens is always playing with a huge smile on his face and his voice goes very well with the heavy rock songs. The band plays with a lot of heart and although it doesn't draw a huge crowd to the stage, it totally works.



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The Charm The Fury

It is time to go out with a bang and the last show we're checking out is by metal band The Charm The Fury. Singer Caroline Westendorp is the charming front woman who alternates powerful vocals with even more powerful grunting. It is an inspired performance where the band is firing up the small crowd that turned up. It doesn't matter how many people are there to this band who are working up a sweat to close this stage in style.



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This festival still is a mix of a local annual town party and a music festival. It draws many people from the area that come here to socialize and have a good time and aren't necessarily here for the bands. That means it never really gets crowded at the stages, which sometimes is a shame for some bands who are playing for only a handful of people. On the other hand it is nice to be able to browse through a festival again without the huge crowds and be able to still walk to the front when a band has already started.

One of the best things here is the great atmosphere and the nice and relaxed visitors. I had a wonderful time, saw many great bands and definitely will be back next year.

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On Stage: Jo Goes Hunting @ Paradiso

I'm a member of the Paradiso Vinyl Club, an initiative by Paradiso to support promising new bands. The band can release a 7" single on vinyl and will play a release show at the small hall of the venue. The latest release features Jo Goes Hunting, but this band even already have their first full album Come, Future out now. I saw them play at the Amsterdam Woods festival last year and that raised my attention. I like the new album as well so time to go check them out again.

Jo Goes Hunting at Paradiso Amsterdam, March 18 2017

The band is actually the talented Jimmi Jo Heuting, who transformed his name into the band name. His last name may ring a bell, since his big brother Rocco plays in the rock band De Staat that is currently taking on the world. Jimmi Jo however is doing things a bit differently music wise, although they did play as a support act for De Staat last month at AFAS Live (formely known as Heineken Music Hall). His music is stacked with electronics, weird grooves, buzzing synths and percussion. Some tracks are groovy, danceable songs with a heavy beat, others are edgy tunes with sudden breaks and twists that will mess up your four on the floor dance moves.

To be able to play this live he is part of a five piece band, where everyone including bassist and lead guitarist also add part of the electronic add-ons. It results in layered, dynamic songs and an exciting, sometimes bewildering, performance that is most of all fascinating from start to finish. Heuting is behind his drum kit, singing at the same time, sitting at the front of the stage with his colleagues surrounding him. He will get up now and then to sing behind another mic where he can also add effects to the songs. When drum players are singing at the same time, there's always a chance that things can get static, but this is not the case here. There's plenty of energy and although the complicated music may not excite everyone Heuting shows plenty of potential and confidence to grow a bigger audience.



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Amsterdam Woods Festival 2016 Saturday

Last year was the first edition of Amsterdam Woods, a small scale and cozy two day festival in the big Amsterdamse Bos park. It turned out to be a wonderful and relaxed festival with nice food, people and a balanced line-up with something for everyone. I really didn't want to miss this year's second edition.

Amsterdam Woods Saturday at Amsterdamse Bos, August 27 2016

Unfortunately this year the festival takes place on a Friday and Saturday and the first day proves to be too difficult for me to attend. Instead I settle for just the second day. Like last year the weather is glorious, so we hop on our bikes and ride them through the labyrinth that this huge park is. In the end we get there and find ourselves sipping a first cold beer at the first performance of the day.

Kurt Rosa
The tiny "spruit" stage that supports new and upcoming bands hosts the first band of the day. Kurt Rosa is one of those bands that are working hard to make it to the top. They won a band competition and are on the rise on their way to stardom. Their rock music is quite catchy and some songs sound really good. Especially when the band picks it up a notch and lets the guitars scream. Barefooted and in surf shorts the band gives it all on this hot start of the day.

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Jo Goes Hunting
A totally different kind of music can be heard on the stage at the large willow tree. Drummer and singer Jimmi Jo Hueting may look familiar as he is the younger brother of De Staat's Rocco. Their music is different though, which is a mix of indie rock and electronics with a heavy use of samples and effects. Sometimes the sound is more guitar driven but at other times it has a lighter touch. Hueting is looking very confident on stage and the band plays an intriguing show. I'll definitely will be watching them from now on.

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PAUW
Something looks different on stage today for psych rockers PAUW. It turns out half of the band got replaced and they now have a new keyboard player and bassist. It didn't really affect their music which is still wonderful to hear. However it's still early on this beautiful summer's day and this kind of psychedelic music thrives at its best in the dark. I also did see them in better shape before and today the band looks less focused and not very inspired. However with so many killer songs from their debut album Macrocosm Microcosm it is always good to see them play.

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Desert Mountain Tribe
Another band that is at its best in a dark smoky club is Desert Mountain Tribe. However these guys definitely look inspired today and I am quite impressed with them again. This band has such a great sound, with those basic but effective pounding drums and bass. On top of that are the psychedelic vocals and guitar play of singer Jonty Balls who is completely into the moment. All of this is put through a bunch of killer effects to create a delightful big and heavy sound that sounds amazing on any size stage. I really hope this band will grow bigger to see them in larger venues.

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Jeremy Loops
Another artist that makes heavy use of all kinds of effects is Jeremy Loops. He's one of those artists that can work magic with a loop station, samples and beats. It is quite effective and people love it. Of course it is great dance music with well chosen beats and grooves, but it is seems mostly aimed at that and I find the songs a bit too meagre. However it does do the job and makes for the first real party of the day.

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Amber Arcades
We make it to Amber Arcades' show when they are already halfway their performance. The band is actually Annelotte de Graaf's project and she was able to create quite a buzz in our country with her album Fading Lines. Her music is of the dreamy kind, folky ballads with a light touch. It isn't really my cup of tea but it's well performed and this is a great stage to dream away with her.

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Daniel Norgren
We see a bit of Liima performing with percussive electronic beats but decide this is not for us. When Phil Cook is playing his Americana and country songs we kind of hear it from a distance outside the tent, until it is time for my anticipated highlight of today: Swedish Americana singer-songwriter Daniel Norgren. He caught my attention a few years ago and simply never let go. Every time I hear his music it grabs me immediately. Today it's no different when he plays his songs with two fellow musicians on drums and double bass. The way his laid-back music slowly builds tension by patiently crafting a song is simply wonderful. He is using rests and he knows how to make his songs breath like no one else. Live on stage this is even more impressive when you see him perform, completely immersed in the music. With his band it gets a bit more rough and sometimes his guitar playing brings Neil Young to mind. Phil Cook also joins in for a short bit. All I can do is just watch in awe with an occasional lump in my throat.

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Ultimate Painting
After this we watch Ultimate Painting under the big willow tree. By now the sun has set and darkness is falling over the festival site. It creates a magical atmosphere while gentle guitar music comes from the stage. The short rock songs are nice on the ears although it never gets really exciting. The band is staying in their comfort zone and are never really looking for adventure. This is alright though and fits this moment of the festival where a full day of beers and sun shine are kicking in.

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Palmbomen II, a musical project by Kai Hugo, are closing the festival with danceable mix of electronic melodies and rhythms. People are dancing into the night while we finish a few more beers before we get lost in the woods again. But getting lost in the woods is exactly the point here. Just lose yourself in music on this wonderful little festival on a beautiful spot between the trees. Next year's edition is already marked in my calendar.

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