Sniffing The Grass: An ITGWO 2019 Warmup

I don’t know how many times we travelled to the Vlieland island for Into The Great Wide Open, I simply lost count. Every year we have a wonderful time there and we can’t wait to come back again. It has turned into a short vacation by now, since we add a few days ahead of the festival. The weather forecast looks great and we are having a small heatwave at the beginning of our vacation. The lineup is even hotter so let’s have a look.



Thursday

The first day starts late compared to the other days and therefore is a short one. It usually has some really nice and interesting bands lined up, while part of the crowd won't even arrive until tomorrow. This year there’s plenty to look forward to:

1. Onipa; Afro, disco, electro, oh yeah! This collective from London should get the dancing started early without a problem.
2. Squid; this band has created quite a buzz around them and I can’t wait to see them play their danceable punk tunes.
3. Whispering Sons; the Belgian new wave post rock formation has conquered the low lands by storm and after seeing them a few times I know I don’t want to miss them play this festival.



Friday

I probably keep repeating myself when I say the second day looks very tasty as well with a nice variety of lovely bands:

1. BCUC; I saw this band from Soweto play the Best Kept Secret Festival where they impressed many people including me. Their mix of soul, gospel and old traditional songs is powerful, especially because they play it with a lot of heart. They visited the island some years ago, but this time they mean business.
2. Daniel Norgren; I love Swedish troubadour Daniel Norgen with his gorgeous heartfelt folk and rock songs. I couldn’t make it to his last visit to Amsterdam, so I don’t want to miss him here.
3. Equal Idiots; this young Belgian garage rock band has a dozen or two of rocking, fun and catchy songs and knocks them out with great energy. This should be a wild ride.
4. Kokoroko; afrobeat fanatics that are inspired by Fela Kuti, Ebo Taytlor and Tony Allen!? You had me at Afro, say no more!
5. The Murder Capital; something’s happening in Dublin at the moment since great post rock bands keep coming from it, like Fontaines D.C. and Girl Band. Must be something in that Guinness. The newest one on the rise is The Murder Capital with dark, moody and gritty rock music. Sounds great to me.




Saturday

By now we have completely subdued ourselves in the island festival vibes, so bring on day three!

1. Celeste; this young singer plays lovely soul, jazz and r&b music that reminds of Aretha and Amy. Sounds perfect enough to enjoy between the trees.
2. Personal Trainer; Canshaker Pi’s Willem Smit is bringing some friends to the islands to record new music which we are going to hear today. Wild party guaranteed I’m sure.
3. Pip Blom; Pip loves this festival and this festival loves Pip. So she’s back with her band and her debut album for some lovely rock music.
4. Pottery; think Talking Heads, think Devo and you get the picture. Think I want to see this.
5. Tamino; Belgian’s amazing singer Tamino keeps growing and growing, playing bigger and bigger stages, bringing his wonderful music and stunning voice to the main stage while the dark slowly sets in. Sounds like a perfect scene to me.



Sunday

We want to go out with a bang and there are a couple of bands who may just give us that:

1. Strand of Oaks; Timothy Showalter keeps coming back to making music no matter what happens. It results in honest, moving and rocking songs by this wonderful musician.
2. Parcels; I don’t know what to expect from this Aussie band, but they are killing it at every festival they play. Their irresistible disco sounds like a wonderful closing party of the main stage.
3. KOKOKO!; wild afrobeat and jazz that will make you dance, played on home made instruments and coming from Kinshasa. Sounds like a killer combo to end the festival in style.



It’s amazing what the programmers have come up with, such a colourful and exciting line up with plenty to enjoy for everyone. This means a busy schedule for me, but what else is new?

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Sniffing The Grass: A Best Kept Secret 2019 Warmup

Oh yeah, finally the first festival of the year is knocking on my door. Three days of total bliss at the edge of safari park Beekse Bergen where we are roaring harder than the lions, live faster than the leopards and go more apeshit-crazy than any monkey can. Not even those nasty caterpillars that caused all those terrible itches last year can stop us. Mr Elephant look out, Best Kept Secret here we come!

Like every year the festival's organization has gone out of their way to make it super difficult to see all the amazing band they have lined up. But you know I will be going down trying with a huge grin on my face. What to do this year? Well, here's my impossible schedule where I have to choose from and five bands per day in no particular order that look so delicious:

Friday

Maybe we should start slowly and ease our way into the festival. Yeah right! I'm gonna dive in head first like there's no tomorrow. These bands look awesome:
1. Priests; this band is impressing many people with their post rock and should be a highlight on stage five while the sun is setting.
2. shame; In the middle of the night I'm sure shame are the perfect band to pick it up a notch and destroy the stage with their smart punk songs.
3. BCUC; African psychedelic music from Sowetho at 2:30 in the morning...hell yeah!
4. Ditz; when you can describe your music as noise rock in the same style as METZ and Girl Band, I definitely will be there.
5. Personal Trainer; hooray for Canshaker Pi, the young Dutch band and their Pavement inspired garage rock. This is their singer Willem Smit's solo performance, hooray for Willem!




Saturday

Enter hysterical laugh here, since this day is impossible. Eighteen bands! Eighteen! I actually circled eighteen bands in my schedule. Someone get me a straight jacket since I will definitely lose my mind today:
1. Fat White Family; when they played this festival a few years back they blew me away. Now they are back with a very good new album, so I'm there again.
2. Sports Team; this band's name is buzzing around and their music sure sounds promising. I mean, how can you resist a song like M5?
3. Kraftwerk; this is a tough one, since Wooden Shjips are playing at the same time. Just the sight of 20,000 people wearing 3D glasses makes it worthwhile to see Kraftwerk, but of course they are legends as well.
4. Mac DeMarco; I don't know what to expect from this crazy character and I still don't know what to think of his music. There's only one way to find out if he can live up to the expectations since many people seem to love him.
5. Life; It's the middle of the night, it's the Casbah, it's punk. Hello!




Sunday

If in some crazy way I actually survived on Saturday and have regained my sanity, at least Sunday leaves some room for reflection:
1. Interpol; I just love this band and they are completely back with great new music and in great shape.
2. The Raconteurs; I'm so happy Jack White gathered his Raconteurs friends. We heard a few new songs already and I can't wait for the new album to drop. I'm sure we will hear a few new songs today.
3. Whispering Sons; this Belgian band is darker than black and make Joy Division sound like happy campers. So they are playing on the middle of the afternoon...wait, what!? I'm sure it doesn't matter for their pitch black postpunk music.
4. Romperayo; a few months ago I visited Colombia and loved it. This band are from that colourful country full of delicious coffee and rum, and play psychedelic tropical music, mixing cumbia with West-African music. Sounds like a party to me.
5. Indian Askin; this Dutch band write clever indie rock songs that simply sound catchy and irresistible. They are back with a new record and I can't wait to hear the new songs.



There you have it, the secret is out: I am about to lose my mind. It's gonna be great!

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Sniffing The Grass: An Into The Great Wide Open 2018 Warmup

What a summer we had. Incredible sunshine and every festival seemed to have the best weather it could wish for. Hopefully we can end the summer in style with another beautiful edition of Into The Great Wide Open.

By now we know it doesn't really matter what kind of weather we get, since each edition has been amazing so far. A lot has to do with the incredible line-up of this festival and this year it's just insane. So many interesting, wonderful and great bands are lined up it will be impossible to see them all. Let's see what we can expect these four days.

Thursday

The first day is turning into a more complete festival day by the year, where it started off with just a couple of bands to warm up a few years ago. Now it actually has a line-up where we need to choose. Here are some ideas:

1. METZ; I simply love these guys whose music is like a high speed train running you over. Powerful rock and punk that simply is a big upper.
2. Mauro Pawlowski & Braaknoot Ensemble; Belgian musician Mauro Pawlowski has been here before when he was a member of dEUS. Now he's here with his weird but wonderful Gruppo Di Pawlowski and tonight with a special project playing Boudewijn De Groot's Nacht en Ontij together with the Braaknoot Ensemble. Sure, sounds good to me!
3. Snail Mail; Unfortunately at the same time Snail Mail, the moniker for Lindsey Jordan, will be playing as well. The young musician left quite an impression with her music so I'm looking forward to see it for myself.


It promises to be a very good kick off of the festival, that just keeps on giving.

Friday

Unfortunately Damien Jurado had to cancel. I hope he will feel well again soon. Sure, only fourteen bands left on the bill today that sound good to me. Where to begin? Well maybe here:

1. White Denim; these guys are always a treat to me, combining garage rock, americana, prog rock and anything really into a delightful blend of musical bliss.
2. Róisín Murphy; Irish singer Róisín Murphy is known for clever pop songs that she brings to the stage with a lot of style and flair.
3. Altın Gün are a young band that recreate the Turkish psych rock from the sixties and seventies and bring it into the twenty-first century. Bring your dancing shoes. 4. John Cale; former The Velvet Underground member John Cale is simply a living legend that can't be missed.
5. Pip Blom; the young Pip Blom is a very talented musician and with her equally young band is bound to make a lot of new fans today.


If I make it through this day in one piece, I'm sure one of the parties will finish me off. In a good way though. See you on the other side.

Saturday

Another day, another fourteen or something bands that are on my list. Ok, here we go:

1. The Ex; this band has been around since the late seventies and I have never seen them play. How is this possible? They have turned into a legendary rock band that play very original rock songs with lots of different influences.
2. Tshegue; Garage and rock songs mixed with Congolese music...say no more! I need to see this.
3. Django Django; I love these guys and their light pop and danceable pop songs that are so clever. Somehow I keep missing them whenever they play in the neighbourhood and it's been ages since I've seen them. Can't wait to dance with them in the night.
4. Canshaker Pi; I've seen this young rock band several times and can't get enough. They simply keep getting better and their rough Pavement like sound is simply irresistible.
5. Oumo Sangare; Mali is exploding with amazing music and I love it to bits. Oumo Sangare is a wonderful singer and one of the many great musicians that come from this African country.


Sunday

Even the last day which is always a short one, has a lot of bands to check out. Hopefully I will have enough energy left.

1. Erlend Øye; he skipped a few years but Norwegian singer Erlend Øye simply is the ambassador of this festival that he embraced from the first time he played here.
2. Jeff Tweedy; Wilco's frontman is playing solo and although somehow I never really got into this band, he's someone I just have to check out.
3. Protomartyr; This post rock band keeps impressing me and I just have to see them again
4. Sunflower Bean; psychedelic pop songs that sound really fresh from a band that is quickly becoming popular. Their new album Twentytwo In Blue definitely sounds promising enough.
5. Tim Knol; Dutch singer Tim Knol has developed into a one of a kind and confident musician that goes his own way. He is a talented songwriter which he proves again on his latest record Cut The Wire. And Tim Knol is a great match with this festival. He's on really early though and I'm not sure I can make that.


I really love this festival, but somehow I'm getting the feeling it is trying to kill me. Well, at least it will be with a smile on my face.

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Sniffing The Grass: A Best Kept Secret 2018 Warmup

When you're a medium large festival and you manage to book Radiohead and Arcade Fire in one edition, you raise the bar to a very high level. How are you ever going to top that? Especially when everything else of last year's edition of Best Kept Secret was almost perfect. The organisation probably had the same feeling and "simply" came up with an incredible line-up with three dream headliners. If I had to choose I would love to see Arctic Monkeys, The National and LCD Soundsystem headline and guess what?

This year we're back in one of those cosy jungalows. The weather isn't going to be perfect with a chance of rain on every day, but hopefully nothing serious. So let's dig in and see what to expect.

Friday

There are hardly any moments in the schedule when no bands are playing that I'm interested in. That makes this year's edition a hard one, since I won't get a lot of rest and I need to make tough choices. Here are some ideas:
1. Arctic Monkeys; one of my favourite bands is back! Their new album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is causing quite some discussions but I simply love it. I haven't seen them play in a while so this is one that can't be missed.
2. Deerhunter; an interesting band that isn't your ordinary group. Music that isn't always easy to digest because the band likes to experiment but also never fails to intrigue.
3. Los Pirañas; psychedelic and space music from Colombia with plenty of percussion that is very danceable. Need I say more?
4. The Comet Is Coming; jazz, psychedelic rock, electronics mixed together and served as very tasty dish.
5. Future Islands; this band simply is gorgeous with that amazing front man Samuel T. Herring. I have seen them several times now and just can't get enough. Remember Herring's stage exit last time they played here? Let's see what he comes up with this year.



Saturday

1. The National; the first time I saw The National play I was very impressed and after several concerts I still am. Watching Matt Berninger live his music is incredible and their music is amazing.
2. Mattiel; One of the highlights of the last edition of London Calling who released a great debut album last year. Her retro sound and wonderful band are irresistible.
3. Johan; without a doubt one of the best bands our country ever had and, hooray, they are back after nine years!
4. Wolf Alice; it's the third time the English band are playing this festival and with their second album Visions of a Life they have shown a lot of growth both on record as on stage.
5. USA Nails; their music is a mix of METZ and Girl Band so expect a big kick in your crutch and a slap in the face.



Sunday

1. LCD Soundsystem; the New York band never lets you down with their punk and dance cross over and simply very good songs.
2. Spoon; a band that should have been much bigger who keep recording amazing music and are even better live.
3. Ty Segall; it's hard to believe Ty Segall has even time to play festivals with his inexhaustable stream of new music and projects. Always good to see which side of him he's going to bring to the stage.
4. Father John Misty; he released another gorgeous album God's Favorite Customer that proves his unique song writing skills. I simply love his rich and melancholic sound.
5. Preoccupations; Viet Cong became Preoccupations a few years ago but their dark post-rock sound didn't. Or did it slightly on their last LP New Material leaving room for a bit of light? Plenty of reasons to go check them out.




I don't know exactly what I will end up seeing but with this incredible line-up I know it's going to be good. See you there?

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Sniffing The Grass: An ITGWO 2017 Warmup

While I'm writing this Into The Great Wide Open preview, I'm already on the Vlieland island, which is for the first time. Normally we arrive at the first day of the festival while now it's still a few days away. It's good to get us in the right mood though although I am fighting a vicious cold. But the island and the sun are doing their healing work and I'm getting better. So which artists can we look forward to this year?

Thursday

This is still kind of like day zero for the festival as it is not a full day, but it slowly became an official part of the line-up with bigger bands and now the festival starts at the beginning of the evening. And there's plenty to look forward to already! Here are some ideas for you.

The Mauskovic Dance Band; Unfortunately the Togo All Stars had to cancel because of last minute visa problems. The funky and swinging music sounds like a great alternative to the African band.
The Lemon Twigs; The two D'Addario brothers will have no trouble entertaining the crowd at this first day with an ADHD performance from glam rock to Broadway musicals.
Sinkane; Hypnitizing afrofunk mixed with western style music. What else do you need?



Friday

How to start this first full day? Maybe a refreshing dive in the sea before diving into the amazing bands lined up today.

Tamino; When you've seen this young talented Belgian artist you can only draw one conclusion: this guy is going to be big. I'm still impressed after seeing him a few times.
The Homesick; a young noise band with effective songs that will slap you in the face. This can only be good.
Pink Oculus; the moniker for Esperenza Denswil who mixes jazz, hiphop and soul in a very creative way. Her inspired and sultry performances are wonderful to watch.

Together with Dutch indie heroes Moss, dark pop music by Daughter and Shame's dirty post-punk rock music this should be a good day.



Saturday

ITGWO always has a broad line-up exploring many styles and some exotic names. Today is great with bands from all over the place.

Khruangbin; Although from Texas, this band plays Thai inspired 60s funk, surf and psychedelica. Come on, you got to see this right?
Kikagaku Moyo; Japanese psych rock from Tokio that I saw some years back at the Eindhoven psych fest. I wasn't really impressed back then, but still this could be very good.
Ronald Snijders; exotic jazz with Surinam flute player Ronald Snijders. This is going to be a swinging show.

MY BABY are filling in for the Togo All Stars today with their tribal dance grooves. Pianist Matteo Myderwyk is also playing a second show so maybe we can catch him at one of these.



Sunday

The last day doesn't have a lot of bands that I really have to see, but the ones that I like are definitely must-sees.

Millionaire; I'm so glad this Belgian rock band is back. At Best Kept Secret they gave a mind blowing show and I hope to see that again today.
Ryley Walker; A few years back Ryley Walker wasn't really on my list of artist to see but totally won me over. His last album Golden Sings That Have Been Sung is simply gorgeous so a definite must-see.
Tiggs da Author; London based musician Adam Muhabwa, originally from Tanzania, is officially closing down the festival at the main stage with a mix of funk, soul and rap, all the ingredients for a steaming party.



Of course the real closing party is tonight with Orient Express, with performances by The Mysterons and Altin Gün who both have Jungle By Night members in their line-up. I think they will close it in style. There are so many things to look forward to, I really can't afford to have a cold. More fresh orange juice please...for now.

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Sniffing The Grass: A Best Kept Secret 2017 Warmup

After last year's edition of the Best Kept Secret Festival I was in doubt if I wanted to return this year. The festival neared the maximum capacity they were aiming for and this caused too many lines and nuisances. It got quite crowded everywhere, but we started coming to this festival because it was lacking the crowds in the beginning. Then the two mega headliners Radiohead and Arcade Fire were announced for this year's edition and I simply had to go. Hopefully the organization has learned from last year's edition and has things under control this year.

Music wise they delivered big time with great bands lined up besides those two big ones. After digging into it, I realized they did too good of a job, since there are so many bands I would like to see it is impossible to do. But of course I will give it a try! Here are some suggestions for each day in no particular order.

Friday
This year no jungalow for us unfortunately but we did manage to get a "chalet". After getting settled in and warming up with a cool beer we are ready for the first day. What to look forward to today?

1. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard; these guys are a must-see for me of course with their crazy psychedelic rock tunes and energetic live shows. Rattlesnake! Rattlesnake!
2. Real Estate; this band has a wonderful sound with ringing melodies and lovely psychedelica. How is this gonna sound live on stage?
3. Millionaire; Belgian musician Tim van Hamel is back with his successful and great rock band that never really disbanded.
4. Mannequin Pussy; well with that name you will draw some attention, but it's a return to the 90s with this band. Expect a mix of hardcore punk, shoegaze and grunge.
5. Jo Goes Hunting; added tone the line-up at the last moment, this Dutch artist brings danceable tunes full of synths, percussion and hooks with a twist.



Saturday
The first day is probably quite relaxed compared to the next two, so let's get this party started on the second day!

1. Arcade Fire; of course these indie giants are one you can't afford to skip since their music is top notch and their live shows are simply amazing.
2. Cloud Nothings; I saw these hard rocking guys earlier last year where they destroyed Paradiso. I'm sure they will kill over here as well.
3. The Wytches; psychedelic grunge, if you put these two words in a sentence you can count me in!
4. Stuff.; an experimental instrumental mix of jazz, funk and electro, this is all too good to resist.
5. Mitski; convincing and catchy indie rock songs with plenty of hooks that should sound great live.



Sunday
The last day is the busiest for me with tough choices all over the time table. Let's see what we can manage.

1. Radiohead; the wet dream of any festival of this kind and their visitors. There are no other bands playing during their 2,5 hour show so it's gonna be very crowded I'm sure.
2. Soulwax; the Belgian Dewaele Brothers proved they are still amazing live in Paradiso a while ago and have a show I can't get enough of.
3. Iguana Death Cult; this garage rock band from Rotterdam made one hell of a record and their lively shows will definitely give me the amount of energy I propably desperately need on this last day.
4. Zeal & Ardor; a mix of delta blues, black metal and Negro Spirituals. Yes, you read that correctly.
5. The Homesick; young post-punk trio from the north of the low lands that sounds very fresh and their songs are full of earworms.



The weather forecast looks better every day and with this smashing line-up I can't wait to get there. Beekse Bergen, here we come!

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Sniffing The Grass: An ITGWO 2016 Warmup

This year the summer saved the best for last, which also seems to go for the festival season. We’re returning to that lush little island for another edition of the Into The Great Wide Open festival and it promises to be a busy one.

The programmers of the festival must have some sadistic side to them. They have packed the dazzling and versatile line-up so chuck full of amazing acts, that I hardly know where to start. And this year we’re going to overdose on Belgium’s Balthazar, who are planning to disappear for a while after this summer. They played the festival before but are now playing it again, twice! And some of its members are also going solo, so why not let them all play as well?

Thursday

We dive in right away on the first day when the festival takes off immediately with some interesting music.

1.Bombay
The duo Bombay Show Pig reincarnated as a trio with two new members to stand by remaining original member Mathias Janmaat and with a new album Show Yout Teeth. Exciting and wilful indie rock.
2.Zimmerman
One of the Balthazar spin offs and the project of Simon Casier, bass player for the Belgian band. Guitar driven melodies that kind of remind of The Strokes’ soft side.
3.Balthazar
Of course you have to see the Belgian band themselves at least once this weekend before they go on a hiatus for a while. So why not go see them when they team up with Cordette Quartet, with Balthazar's own Patricia Vanneste, for a stripped down Balthazar? Not sure what that means, but sounds good to me!

Also: the intriguing and vintage sound of Crying Boys Cafe and the live soundtrack to Martha Colburn’s visuals by Jacco Gardner and cellist Helena Espvall.

Friday

Today is loaded with great music which makes it so hard to make the right choices.

1.King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
This big Australian band just about tears any place up they play with out of control psychedelic rockers that will make your head spin
2.Suuns
Not sure what it is exactly but it's yummy. Big grooves with drones, electronic beats, mysterious singing all bundled into occasional wild outbursts. Prepare to get your mind blown.
3.Warhaus
Another Balthazar solo project, this time from Maarten Devoldere. A few songs are already available online and promise dark and sultry music. Great to start a hot summer's night.

Also: Amsterdam slacker garage rockers Canshaker Pi, Balthazar’s J. Bernardt will reveal his solo work and Balthazar themselves will prove once more why they are allowed to take over over the festival this year.

Saturday

Today I need to be cloned a few times to be able to see everything that is happening today.

1.Mozes and the Firstborn
The boys from the south are back with a new album and ready to rock your world again. Expect swinging and wild rock songs that will split your head.
2.Bixiga 70
Brazilian band that mixes their local roots with African music that will make it impossible to stand still. Note to myself: bring dancing shoes.
3.Conjunto Papa Upa
60s and 70s style psychedelic afrosurf, which packs a lot of things that I simply cannot resist.

Also: my favourite Afro beat band Jungle by Night will turn the place into a dancing hall, Klangstof with their light and melodic indie pop songs, Amber Arcades' dreamy pop tunes and Remy van Kesteren showing his harp skills.

Sunday

The last day of the festival always has a shorter program which is good so I can kick back a bit.

1.Baloji & L’Orchestre De La Katuba
Congolese rumba, hiphop, afrobeat, soul. Hello! Say no more! You already had me at “Congolese”.
2.Rag ‘N’ Bone Man
The big man looks like the singer of a hardcore punk band but will impress with intense soul music, reaching out to share his deepest thoughts and feelings.
3.Whitney
A bit too much falsetto for me, but undeniably a band to see live and experience their warm country soul songs first hand.

Also: Isaac Gracie is bringing a mix of Radiohead and Jeff Buckley. Palace is playing bluesy guitar pop which sounds great to enjoy in the sun.

Years of festival experience tell that it will be impossible to realize these schedules but it can't hurt to try. Or maybe it will. Read more!

Sniffing The Grass: A Best Kept Secret 2016 Warmup

It has taken a while before the festival season kicked off for me this year. This weekend it finally is starting with the first multi-day summer festival for me. It's time for Best Kept Secret, that lovely festival among the wild animals of the next door safari parc Beekse Bergen. We have our jungalow, we have our tickets, so let's see what's in stock for us.

The great thing about this festival is the great line-up they somehow know how to come up with every year. The bad thing is the great line-up they somehow know how to come up with every year. It always results in some tough choices to be made and this year is no exception. I won't go and list all the bands I want to see like I used to. The schedules are clear enough. Instead I will just give some tips for every day.

Friday
There's no time to waste on Friday and it's definitely not a slow start. Fortunately we're still very fit on this first day of course.

Three tips for today:
1. Beck; for me this giant is a must-see. I love his music and his shows are always interesting and of high standard
2. Preoccupations; vicious post-punk of the band formerly known as Viet Cong
3. Kid Wave; last minute addition after a cancellation. Exciting shoegaze and worth going to the festival site early for




Saturday
Sleeping is not for festivals so no lingering today, there are exciting bands to see

Three tips for today:
1. Audacity; garage punk rockers from California that released a great new album Hyper Vessels a few months ago.
2. Dinosaur Jr.; grunge dinosaurs that are still on top of things. Must see for me.
3. Weaves; quite refreshing and coo coo garage pop although it clashes with Black Box Revelation.




Sunday
The last day so let's go out with a bang.

Three tips for today:
1. Unknown Mortal Orchestra; master mind Ruban Nielson had a huge break-through with his psychedelic funk, pop and rock on the album Multi-Love. With his great band they are wonderful to see.
2. Wilco; somehow I never got really into Wilco, but come on, it's still Wilco.
3. Yeasayer; lost their momentum of the first couple of albums but live they can be quite an experience.




If I make these schedules I'm afraid I'll end the weekend exhausted, hungry and thirsty, but boy I'm gonna try!

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Sniffing The Grass: An Into The Great Wide Open Warmup

As a yearly tradition for the past couple of years we close down the summer in style and are getting ready to travel back to our favourite island Vlieland for another edition of the Into The Great Wide Open festival. Somehow we got karma on our side and managed to get tickets, although unfortunately not for every member of our group. A close look at the line-up reveals that the programmers did too good a job and came up with an incredible program full of terrible dilemmas. Let me walk you through it.

This year no tent for us any more since we are staying in a small bungalow. Hooray for a real bed, a lovely shower and a toilet close by, fresh coffee and fried eggs in the morning!

Thursday
After we get settled in we have no time to waste, since Jaap Boots will be telling rock stories. My first time on this festival I learned about the wonderful Intergalactic Lovers and now they are back! Then maybe we can check out some German postpunk with Die Nerven and return later to the Fortweg stage for Dutch psychedelic rockers PAUW. At the same time Bombay are playing their soundtrack to the 1930s horror movie Vampyr. Damn those choices!

Friday
Rise and shine at the lovely island. After some first bare and breakfast necessities why not have Bruut! wake us up a little more with some crazy jazz. After that Maurits Westerik's new project Bewilder will keep us going and otherwise young Dutch garage rockers Afterpartees definitely will. Some of Kevin Morby's inspirations are Bob Dylan and Neil Young so I don't need any more convincing. Time for some dancing, hopefully in the sun, with La Sra. Tomasa and their dubstep rumba fiesta. We can can continue to dance at My Baby's trance funk. Now it gets tricky: HÆLOS' feelgood triphop or jazzy synth beats with Dorian Concept Trio or some wild garage rock with WAND? The ladies of Savages will definitely rock the main stage with their dark postpunk. Con Brio's soul sounds great, but then we need to make some really tough choices again. The Irish postpunk of Dubliners Girl Band, party hard with swinging brass band Gallowstreet or Los Pirañas' experimental electronic Caribbean music from Colombia. At least we better make sure we are back at the Fortweg stage in time for De Staat.

Saturday
I'm not sure if we can get up early enough to catch the gritty country of Deslondes. Maybe we'll start with some sunny reggae from Surinam singer Kenny B. I'm not too fond of singer/songwriters and folk but would like to check out Ryley Walker's guitar skills. Gabriel Rios should be good for a latin party. Should I go see the great Dutch alternative band Alamo Race Track or the melancholic ballads of Andy Shauf? The Memphis soul of Frazey Ford sounds tempting and punk poet John Cooper Clarke should be interesting. Leon Bridges' name is buzzing around so I would like to check his vintage soul music. Polar Bear is supposed to make some ground breaking jazz and Sophia will be playing melancholic songs that may just be what we need at that time. The psych rock and post punk of The Afterveins sounds really good before we need to make a tough choice between two Belgian delights: the wonderful sultry music of Oscar and the Wolf or the jazz of Tom Barman's Taxiwars. I'm definitely going to be on time for zZz's wild and gritty sleazy rock music.

Sunday
The music of jazz trio Kapok sounds good enough but I don't think we can make it that early. So we will probably wake up to the Turkish psychedelic 60s inspired music by Baba Zula. Time to dance with All We Are's indie disco or dream away with Jacco Gardner in the woods? Ought's postpunk sounds great and of course I don't want to miss punk veterans The Undertones. The last choice of the weekend is between Torres and The Slow Show who both play intense music in their own specific way. And who else than Afterpartees can throw a better afterparty?



Thank you so much Into The Great Wide Open programmers for this impossible line-up and the sore feet I will have afterwards.

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Sniffing The Grass: A Best Kept Secret 2015 Warmup

Right now I'm right in the epicentre of this year's festival season with a festival every week. It kinda feels like I'm in heaven and every week I'm still buzzing from all the great bands I have seen. Next up is our second visit to Best Kept Secret, the festival we instantly fell in love with last year. So gather your safari gear and let's go on a safari to discover what is playing.

A lot is playing! No time to eat or sleep, there are so many bands I want to see. It is going to be impossible, but one of the nice things about BKS is, that you can easily move between stages so it is possible to see two bands that are playing at the same time.

Friday
We dive in head first right away on the first day and kick off with some heavy hardcore punk with Metz and continue with some more punkrock from The Coathangers or Drenge or maybe both. Next choice of the day is between more garage punk from Fidlar or some quiet Radiohead-like alternative electro from Klangstof. I missed the folkrock from Strand Of Oaks on Primavera but Yak's post punk/shoegaze music sounds inviting as well.

Daniel Norgren really blew me away on the Into The Great Wide Open Festival a few years back with his beautiful songs but the Jungle By Night DJ set sounds like a good afrobeat and tropical party. Circa Waves were here last year as well and played a good set. Now they have released their debut album with that lovely summer hit 'T-Shirt Weather'. Chet Faker's creative soulful music and original covers are worth checking out and then former Black Flag's singer Keith Morris' punk supergroup OFF! is probably gonna bring down the house.

The Jesus and Mary Chain are going to play their famous album Psychocandy which introduced the notorious "vacuum cleaner" sound. Pete Doherty still is unreliable but The Libertines did write some great songs so that can go either way. At the same time The Pop Group apparently are the front runners of the and inspired a whole generation of musicians. We're going to end this day the way we started it with some out of control punk from Pissed Jeans. After that it's finally time to have a bite to eat. Is that a hippo stealing my insect burger?

Three tips for today:
1. Daniel Norgren
2. Metz
3. The Jesus and Mary Chain




Saturday
Rise and shine party animals! Hopefully we had a good night sleep since John Coffey are going to wake us right up with their energetic hardcore punk and the legendary beer catching act. I never was able to see the lovely psychedelic rock of Temples so this is my chance. St. Paul and the Broken Bones will blow you away with their powerful soul music.

The Cheatahs didn't really impress me on Primavera but I'm gonna try them again. Alternative rockers Death Cab For Cutie have a solid reputation that I'm looking forward to checking out and of course Belgian band Balthazar are now one of the best Belgian rock bands around. Britpop veterans Ride surprised me with their reunion show on Primavera but Boxed In's danceable electropop sounds great to loosen up my muscles. Hookworms played a nice set in Barcelona last month with their freaked out psychedelic garage rock and of course I don't want to miss Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. I'm probably kind of hungry and thirsty by this time. Waiter, there's a chimp in my beer!

Three tips for today:
1. John Coffey
2. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
3. Temples




Sunday
It's Sunday and the last day of the festival so we're going to start slow with Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood and the London Contemporary Orchestra. After this light breakfast the punk of Pretty Vicious should get us going, otherwise Marmozets' hardcore rock certainly will. Rats On Rafts are playing later today but are also spinning records which should be interesting. Black Mountain's psychedelic and classic rock sounds very promising. Then the Rats On Rafts boys are playing their dark and powerful rock music but Future Islands' Samuel Herring will also be showing his famous dance moves with their catchy electronic pop songs.

Time for Typhoon to blow away another festival stage with his positive message. Royal Blood will definitely kill the main stage with their heavy and solid rock grooves. That kind of wraps it up for me since I don't care a lot for Sohn and I find Alt-J's music kind of boring. But maybe there will be a surprise and otherwise I finally have time to check out all the great food and have a few beers. Wait, is that a giraffe in my bed!?

Three tips for today:
1. Royal Blood
2. Rats On Rafts
3. Future Islands




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Sniffing The Grass: An ITGWO 2014 Warm Up

Only a few days left before we head for our yearly trip to paradise island. It's the sixth edition of the Into The Great Wide Open festival and it will be our fourth visit. Like every year the organization have come up with a versatile and interesting program. And I'm referring to the music only, since there will be plenty of art, cultural events, food and drinks.

Thursday
Like the last couple of editions there's a small program on Thursday but like before we won't be able to arrive early enough to catch the first bands. So I'm afraid we will miss the energetic rock of Belgian band The Sore Losers. And probably Happy Camper with all its vocalists and Job Roggeveen's beautiful compositions will be hard to make too. Hopefully when all goes well, we will be able to catch dEUS' Tom Barman's electronica project Magnus.

Friday
The weather forecast looks promising, so I hope we can start off the day with a dive in the sea. After a healthy breakfast somewhere on the island we should be off to a good start with the feel good music of Erlend Øye, who is visiting the festival for the fourth time too. Dans Dans are making psychedelic film noir jazzy fiddling around music. Sounds great! As long as Daryll-Ann keep performing I don't want to miss them. Then it's time to get more rough with the garage rock of Auda City. There's a new alternative rock band in our country called Beginners, although they are definitely no newbies. Asko|Schonberg & Nora Fischer sounds pretty interesting who will perform a modern composition on the forest stage. We can always go check out Tim Knol's garage rock band The Miseries or do that anyway.

Then it's time for a memory from the past. I haven't seen Buffalo Tom in ages and although I know he's still active have no idea what he's up to these days. Moon Duo is a project of Wooden Shjips guitarist Ripley Johnson so that's worth checking out. Hopefully the afrobeat and funk of Vaudau Game can send us off on a high. Otherwise I'm sure TenTemPiés will.

Sounds like a full and busy day and boy does it look good! One more choice for today: campfire or dancing?

Three tips for today:
1. Dans Dans
2. Moon Duo
3. Daryll-Ann

Saturday
Today is another full day with some tough dilemmas to crack. Let's start off with a cool refreshing swim and a relaxing breakfast. Then we will kick it off with the soulful Kris Berry & Perquisite and after that some world music by Frànçois And The Atlas Mountains, before the first tough choice awaits us: raw rock with Robbing Banks, dancing with the always great afrobeat of Jungle By Night or check out multi instrumentalist Liam Finn? If everything works out the sun and the beers will have us in the right mood for the summery music of Hollie Cook. Ghanese soul singer Benjamin Clementine sounds really interesting, but at the same time Neneh Cherry will show her vocal strength backed up by RocketNumberNine. St. Paul & The Broken Bones are white as snow, but make some great raw seventies style soul music.

Veteran Dutch alternative band Hallo Venray released one of their best (the best?) record in their career so far and deserve a visit. Greek DJ Larry Gus apparently can turn every appearance into a party but great singer Sivert Høyem, previously of the disbanded Madrugada, is playing at the same time. And then Charles Bradley will pour out his heart and bring his love and emotional soul to the island. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me.

Three tips for today:
1. Jungle By Night
2. Hallo Venray
3. Charles Bradley

Sunday
The last day of the festival has a less full program which is great since by now we have completely slowed down. The Stargaze ensemble has great musicians and the versatile mix of compositions they will be playing sounds great to start off this day. After a swim and some food of course. The amazing Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke is the founder of ethio-jazz and one of the most respected and acclaimed Ethiopian musicians. I don't need to know more of course. Depedro will possibly throw a Spanish dancing party before The Mysterons take us on a trip with some psychedelic grooves. Time to saddle our horses and check out Daniel Romano before the illustrious Brushy One String shows us how to make music on just one string. I really love Unknown Mortal Orchestra and their psychedelic jams, but also would love to see Sinkane's Sudanese afro funk. Typhoon will definitely have everyone bouncing and dancing to send us home on a high. Unfortunately we can't stay until the end since we have to catch a boat back to reality.

Three tips for today:
1. Mulatu Astatke
2. Typhoon
3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra




Yes the program is more full than ever and I'm sure I won't be able to see it all. I'm not even going to try since this festival requires a mellow approach, just dive in and let it all happen.

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