Fun in the Sun
(for the original Dutch article, right click/save as)
The ‘Zuiderpark’ in The Hague is filling up with people as the sun shines in all its glory. The two main stages present Alphabeat and The Bazzookas to entertain the crowd right from minute one.
We already knew that Alphabeat makes music that is eaten up by the radio. With “Fascination” they scored a big hit all around the world. After successful tours there were also many people in many places that were very positive about their live show. And they prove that on Parkpop. With a cheerful and energetic show they get everyone in the mood for a fun day in the park.
The Bazzookas, with the former VanKatoen frontman, is an ideal band for a festival. Spunky lyrics and a very fine brass component resonate in your ears while you enjoy your drink on the gras of the Zuiderpark. They are on pretty much every festival this summer and regardless where they are, they know how to make it festive. Just like they are doing now on Parkpop.
The festival continues. Many people are on plaids and brought backpacks and are enjoying themselves with something to eat and drink while relaxing on the lawn. There is a friendly atmosphere and all the people seem to be enjoying themselves immensely.
At the Jupiler Stage, a more or less unknown act out of France is playing. The Popopopops are an alternative rock outfit from Rennes and make a blend of music that lies somewhere in the Middle of Phoenix, The Killers & Arctic Monkeys. The danceable indie pop works perfectly on the Parkpop festival and this band might just be the surprise of the day. More proof that they are doing well, is that they are drawing more and more people away from Mama’s Gun who are playing a good set themselves.
Speaking of Mama’s Gun, they are putting on a show with swinging, summery songs. Typical summer hits that will stick in your head for the rest of the day. Their single “You Are The Music” and the interesting cover of “Sex Machine” are instant highlights. That was also the downside of the performance. The more popular songs did great, but the lesser known songs couldn’t captivate everyone at all times.
In the meantime there is also a party going on at the X-Stage, where the urban acts are in charge. Urban Roots is giving away a nice show. Not super tight all the time, but the mix of styles is very pleasant and provides for an excellent show.
But then I quickly make my way back to the Jupiler Stage to see Belgian rock god Admiral Freebee. He brought Flip Kowlier on the bass and some other high profile musicians to make up his band. In the beginning both the Admiral and the crowd need a little warming up, but once things get going, Freebee delivers. Without effort he mixes Jersey Beat with grunge and rootsrock with pointy garage rock. And apart from the excellent music, Tom de Laere is also known for his sarcastic humor. He displayed this by graphically describing why he is in no way more friendly or open than Snoop Dogg and Beenie Man (who were both denied for the festival by the local government).
On the main stage, Ska Cubano accentuates the summer with danceable Carribean-style party music. This really makes it feel like summer, especially when you lay yourself down in the grass and enjoy it. Just make sure the sun doesn’t fry you!
After that I take a quick peek at the X-Stage again. Dret & Krulle, who are former winners of the Grand Prix of the Netherlands are making something happen there. It looks like a whole lot of fun!
Then I make a quick pitstop at the New Horizons stage, where the alternative rock outfit Noblesse is giving a small showcase of their concept album/show “We Are Hot Humanity”. The combination of artrock and modern dance is remarkably astonishing, and even in this shortened version it is still impressive. [watch video impression]
On the X-Stage, Choc Quib Town is trying to entertain the crowd. While it is pleasing they are trying a little bit too hard. It all looks like a lot of fun, but in the end they can’t dot the Is and cross the Ts.
Back to the main stages. Justin Nozuka is melting young girls’ hearts on the Jupiler Stage. His sweet, bubbly pop songs are good entertainment for the primarily young crowd. He is often compared to Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Keaton Simons, Ernie Halter and the likes, but in no way does the young Canadian reach that level. He has a very good voice and knows how to perform his songs with feeling, but he misses the creativity and originality of these artists. He’s still a young kid though, so there is still time for him to grow and if he learns along the way he might have a very bright future.
Then it is time to celebrate Parkpop’s 30yr anniversary. On the three biggest stages, a combination of musicians from The Hague will perform an adapted version of ‘Achter de Duinen’ similtaneously. This is quite spectacular and with the interaction of the audience this is an instant highlight of the day. Happy birthday, Parkpop!
George Kooymans sticks around after that. Together with Frank Carillo he makes up Kooymans, Carillo & The Barking Dogs. This is a musical act filled with talent and experience. Think Golden Earring meets the Eagles & CCR with some Buffalo Springfield on top. Musically it’s sheer brilliance from start to finish and no one has to explain to these music veterans how to put on a show.
Time to see what Juliette Lewis is up to on the Jupiler Stage. Dressed in red, the rock diva, who’s always been cheered by half of the people and dismissed by the other half, is having a lot of fun on stage. It’s not always perfect, but she puts on a smashing show that entertains the crowd.
But sorry, Juliette, I’m going to leave you again. My hero, Nick Lowe is performing on the main stage. He is probably better known through hits he wrote for others than for his own songs. On Parkpop he shows he is one of the best songwriters in the business. Some people may say his performance was meek and not energetic, but Lowe is the ultimate British gentleman. And it fits him. Besides, his songs speak for themselves. Even a new song like “I Read A Lot” is just sheer genius.
Then the party really gets going as enfant terrible Danko Jones climbs on stage. With funny and sharp remarks he immediately gets the crowd on his hands. “The Netherlands is our second home” and “You guys have f*cking balls to kick Snoop Dogg off the festival” are received with cheers and applause. And when he mentions how he was trying to get a photo with Nena (“because I think she’s hot“) and her security people prevented that, he got the audience to cheer him on even more. But that’s not the only thing this band did well. With pointy, ballsy rock songs they energize the crowd and put on a hell of a show. Energetic, enthusiastic and very, very good.
Then, unfortunately I missed Alpha Blondy, but I was getting ready for German rock chick Nena. She may be a little bit over the top, but they tell me she still knows how to entertain a crowd. So lets find out. Many people are already holding balloons in their hands, so that promises something. Of course she’s a little late, but then she and her band are right on it. With a spectacular show and amazing energy, the German rocker wraps the crowd around her finger. Musically it’s not always the best, but the performance is absolutely enjoyable. Nena is 10.000x better in German than she is in English and the infectious German rock songs don’t miss their mark. Fun fun fun.
For all the photos and videos, check our Facebook page
(for the original Dutch article, right click/save as)
The ‘Zuiderpark’ in The Hague is filling up with people as the sun shines in all its glory. The two main stages present Alphabeat and The Bazzookas to entertain the crowd right from minute one.
We already knew that Alphabeat makes music that is eaten up by the radio. With “Fascination” they scored a big hit all around the world. After successful tours there were also many people in many places that were very positive about their live show. And they prove that on Parkpop. With a cheerful and energetic show they get everyone in the mood for a fun day in the park.
The Bazzookas, with the former VanKatoen frontman, is an ideal band for a festival. Spunky lyrics and a very fine brass component resonate in your ears while you enjoy your drink on the gras of the Zuiderpark. They are on pretty much every festival this summer and regardless where they are, they know how to make it festive. Just like they are doing now on Parkpop.
The festival continues. Many people are on plaids and brought backpacks and are enjoying themselves with something to eat and drink while relaxing on the lawn. There is a friendly atmosphere and all the people seem to be enjoying themselves immensely.
At the Jupiler Stage, a more or less unknown act out of France is playing. The Popopopops are an alternative rock outfit from Rennes and make a blend of music that lies somewhere in the Middle of Phoenix, The Killers & Arctic Monkeys. The danceable indie pop works perfectly on the Parkpop festival and this band might just be the surprise of the day. More proof that they are doing well, is that they are drawing more and more people away from Mama’s Gun who are playing a good set themselves.
Speaking of Mama’s Gun, they are putting on a show with swinging, summery songs. Typical summer hits that will stick in your head for the rest of the day. Their single “You Are The Music” and the interesting cover of “Sex Machine” are instant highlights. That was also the downside of the performance. The more popular songs did great, but the lesser known songs couldn’t captivate everyone at all times.
In the meantime there is also a party going on at the X-Stage, where the urban acts are in charge. Urban Roots is giving away a nice show. Not super tight all the time, but the mix of styles is very pleasant and provides for an excellent show.
But then I quickly make my way back to the Jupiler Stage to see Belgian rock god Admiral Freebee. He brought Flip Kowlier on the bass and some other high profile musicians to make up his band. In the beginning both the Admiral and the crowd need a little warming up, but once things get going, Freebee delivers. Without effort he mixes Jersey Beat with grunge and rootsrock with pointy garage rock. And apart from the excellent music, Tom de Laere is also known for his sarcastic humor. He displayed this by graphically describing why he is in no way more friendly or open than Snoop Dogg and Beenie Man (who were both denied for the festival by the local government).
On the main stage, Ska Cubano accentuates the summer with danceable Carribean-style party music. This really makes it feel like summer, especially when you lay yourself down in the grass and enjoy it. Just make sure the sun doesn’t fry you!
After that I take a quick peek at the X-Stage again. Dret & Krulle, who are former winners of the Grand Prix of the Netherlands are making something happen there. It looks like a whole lot of fun!
Then I make a quick pitstop at the New Horizons stage, where the alternative rock outfit Noblesse is giving a small showcase of their concept album/show “We Are Hot Humanity”. The combination of artrock and modern dance is remarkably astonishing, and even in this shortened version it is still impressive. [watch video impression]
On the X-Stage, Choc Quib Town is trying to entertain the crowd. While it is pleasing they are trying a little bit too hard. It all looks like a lot of fun, but in the end they can’t dot the Is and cross the Ts.
Back to the main stages. Justin Nozuka is melting young girls’ hearts on the Jupiler Stage. His sweet, bubbly pop songs are good entertainment for the primarily young crowd. He is often compared to Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Keaton Simons, Ernie Halter and the likes, but in no way does the young Canadian reach that level. He has a very good voice and knows how to perform his songs with feeling, but he misses the creativity and originality of these artists. He’s still a young kid though, so there is still time for him to grow and if he learns along the way he might have a very bright future.
Then it is time to celebrate Parkpop’s 30yr anniversary. On the three biggest stages, a combination of musicians from The Hague will perform an adapted version of ‘Achter de Duinen’ similtaneously. This is quite spectacular and with the interaction of the audience this is an instant highlight of the day. Happy birthday, Parkpop!
George Kooymans sticks around after that. Together with Frank Carillo he makes up Kooymans, Carillo & The Barking Dogs. This is a musical act filled with talent and experience. Think Golden Earring meets the Eagles & CCR with some Buffalo Springfield on top. Musically it’s sheer brilliance from start to finish and no one has to explain to these music veterans how to put on a show.
Time to see what Juliette Lewis is up to on the Jupiler Stage. Dressed in red, the rock diva, who’s always been cheered by half of the people and dismissed by the other half, is having a lot of fun on stage. It’s not always perfect, but she puts on a smashing show that entertains the crowd.
But sorry, Juliette, I’m going to leave you again. My hero, Nick Lowe is performing on the main stage. He is probably better known through hits he wrote for others than for his own songs. On Parkpop he shows he is one of the best songwriters in the business. Some people may say his performance was meek and not energetic, but Lowe is the ultimate British gentleman. And it fits him. Besides, his songs speak for themselves. Even a new song like “I Read A Lot” is just sheer genius.
Then the party really gets going as enfant terrible Danko Jones climbs on stage. With funny and sharp remarks he immediately gets the crowd on his hands. “The Netherlands is our second home” and “You guys have f*cking balls to kick Snoop Dogg off the festival” are received with cheers and applause. And when he mentions how he was trying to get a photo with Nena (“because I think she’s hot“) and her security people prevented that, he got the audience to cheer him on even more. But that’s not the only thing this band did well. With pointy, ballsy rock songs they energize the crowd and put on a hell of a show. Energetic, enthusiastic and very, very good.
Then, unfortunately I missed Alpha Blondy, but I was getting ready for German rock chick Nena. She may be a little bit over the top, but they tell me she still knows how to entertain a crowd. So lets find out. Many people are already holding balloons in their hands, so that promises something. Of course she’s a little late, but then she and her band are right on it. With a spectacular show and amazing energy, the German rocker wraps the crowd around her finger. Musically it’s not always the best, but the performance is absolutely enjoyable. Nena is 10.000x better in German than she is in English and the infectious German rock songs don’t miss their mark. Fun fun fun.
For all the photos and videos, check our Facebook page
RSS Feed
