I will be at Hyde Park this saturday

20.07.2002 Carhaix 'Les Vieilles Charrues Festival'

Seventeen seconds , plainsong, shake dog shake, the figurehead, open, the drowning man, the baby screams, push, trust, watching me fall, the kiss, from the edge of the deep green sea, 100 years, 39, bloodflowers, cut here, lovesong, in between days, just like heaven, three imaginary boys, play for today, a forest

The vieilles charrues festival was held in the middle of nowhere. My first impressions were that the evening would be a mess : I had to walk almost one hour to enter the festival area. There was only one entrance, with of course a long wait in the sun.

That was for the first entrance, as, there were several second entrances. A one for the three day passes, another one for single day tickets, VIP, ... I wasnt allowed inside until I found the right entrance, which means that I had to wait in line at the other ones before finding the right one...

Anyway, I finally got inside. And the bad impressions I had were confirmed. It was so crowded. The toilets were disgusting, this probably explains why a lot of people were peeing on the fences (never tried to breathe that delicious smell in the heathing sun ?) ...

I was then astonished by the large amount of people heavily drinking beer, and smoking marijuana... Most of the people there behaved like it was the first time they were at a music festival !

I tried to get close to the stage during Asian Dub Fundation's show, and when they had finished their long set, I was right in front of Robert's mike, 4th row. Wow !

How exciting this would be. All my hopes became reality when Robert arrived, and started playing 17 seconds, alone. I was sure that tonight's show would be terrific.

The main set was great, with good surprises like the figurehead and drowning man, very early in the show but the audience just sucked. All those blokes who boozed and smoked all day were now in the pit, looking for trouble. I dont mind pogo-dancing on 100 years, but I truly hate it when people jump around on songs like trust or drowning man ! Some people were also holding Brittany flags, more concerned about politics and independence than by the show in itself.

It was even worse when the band started playing their singles (Inbetween days & Just like heaven), as apparently, most of the people in the pit were expecting those songs. It simply sucked, but I suppose that makes the charm of such summer festivals, along with warm beer, and crap food...

In conclusion, I think that the show was far below my expectations and that a large part of those people in writtany are bankers !

13.07.2002 Hahn - Flughafen (Germany) 'Zillo Festival'

plainsong, the figurehead, from the edge of the deep green sea, the drowning man, torture, push, the kiss, if only tonight we could sleep, pictures of you, shake dog shake, siamese twins, 100 years, bloodflowers, pornography, disintegration, three imaginary boys, m, play for today, a forest, charlotte sometimes, faith

The Zillo festival was held close to an airport, and it was really impressive to see planes land while The Cure were playing. The band started 30 minutes before scheduled, so I was almost late. Note to the Zillo Team : warn people in German & English next time.

Apparently, the Zillo festival is the meeting point of all German goths. They all looked very bad ! I can understand it is fun to wear black make-up when you are 15, let me tell you it is not when you are 30, chubby and bald...

A lot of people tried to talk to me in German (at least I suppose it was German). Why so ? I do not know. I wasn’t aware that I looked like a German.

So, the concert in itself was great. Figurehead, drowning man, torture and siamese twins were brilliant. I was so enthusiastic when they started to play Pornography, but I finally did not see much of that song, as a girl next to me fainted, and her boyfriend was shouting at me (in German of course), probably trying to ask me to help him carry her. So, if that couple ever reads this, do not do drugs if you cannot stand them, you ruin other people's valuable time.

Three imaginary boys was brilliant. Really. The last time I heard them play it live was 10 years ago. The rest of the encore was great, and they really pleased me by playing Charlotte and faith. That was a great evening which could have turned in a crazy evening if the German audience was a little bit more electric...

14.07.2002 Glauchau - Gründelpark (Germany) 'Woodstage Festival'

out of this world, want, open, prayers for rain, a night like this, the baby screams, lullaby, last day of summer, watching me fall, end, fascination street, 100 years, 39, bloodflowers, cut here, lovesong, in between days, just like heaven, faith healer, don't believe a word, a forest

So. Woodstage, East germany. Part II of my German festivals. The Woodstage festival was held in the woods, right in the middle of nowhere. There were even more goths than the day before. Some, even more ridiculous than yesterday. How do they do ?

If you ever have an idea, please Email me. I need to know why wearing light brown shorts is not considered as being gothic.

No surprises. The first part of the show was really dream-touresque. The very first good surprises were a night like this and the baby screams. Even if the sound was very bad. The last part of the main set, was once again too much like the Dream Tour.

Fortunately, they dared playing Cut here, and their last encore saved that night. How it is wonderful to hear new songs. They are truly great when they play covers. I even really hope they will keep that rock-glam sound from the 70's. I'll just pray that they don’t cover any Queen song...