Crossing Border Day 3

Day 3 started with an interview of the 4 authors who were chronicling the festival http://www.crossingborder.nl/chronicles_en.php. Having met most of them it was nice to see them speak about their experiences. And later hear them read from their works.
The Cave Singers

After that I popped over to the NTG for yet another hairy band The Cave Singers, who were cool in a weird way, it occurred to me that almost all the bands I saw on that stage during the weekend with the exception of the Ra Ra Riot were hairy men generally coming from the vicinity of Seattle.. very strange coincidence indeed.
I left that to pop upstairs to see Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and the True Loves. Great swing band from the deep south of the US. Great energy and a pity really that they were not playing the bigger stage so people could move to the beats (which were considerable).
First Aid Kit

Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and the True Loves

Chris Killen

After that I ran back over to the main theater where First Aid Kit were playing in one of the small rooms. Wow! These girls from Sweden were the youngest singers at the festival and they wowed the audience with their beautiful harmonies and musical skills. I was sad to leave but more music and Chris Killen who was one of the Chronicles authors awaited. Chris read the first chapter of his forthcoming novel to the audience which was really great and well received. Then came Liam Finn. What can I say about this little power house from the land of the kiwis. It was incredible and amazing to watch the energy that was created on stage by just two people and they had the crowd from the get go, really great set. Of which I popped out to check out Pete Molinari in one of the tents and then back for the end of the Liam Finn set which ended with them using some effects and a thing that looked like a joy stick while they both were screaming like lions into the microphones. Hell of a performer.
Liam Finn

After that I had a little break while waiting for The Black Keys, chatted with our new found photographer and journalist friends from London and watched the crowd fill up the room with ever more anticipation for the band.
The Black Keys

The Black Keys are a two piece band, Guitarist/ singer and Drummer. They also were so energetic on stage I could barely take my eyes from them. Loved the set and almost reluctantly left to see Kathleen Edwards who hails from my countries capital city. She was solo on guitar but had a great presence with the crowd and told some nice stories. At the end we got her back for an encore and I yelled out for the song Hockey Skates which she played. So in the end it was worth me leaving the Black Keys for. We had a little chat afterwards and she was gracious and sweet. Actually the perfect way to end a wonderful weekend of music and words.

Kathleen Edwards

Only it was only the photography that was over I was headed over for the after party, Having attended every night of the festival it was bound to be a great night as everyone was winding down from the end of all their hard work. Quite incredible really how many people work in such an organisation and of course all the journalists, photographers, musicians and authors as well as all the hangers on.
What started out fairly sedate, chatting with the cool people you have met over the weekend and then I hit the dance floor cause the music was starting to really pick up. Helen and I were having a grand time they were playing Kashmir from the Zep and ACDC and then next thing I know is we were slam dancing with the singer from the Black keys and a bunch of other lunatics that were there.
Having switched from wine to whiskey part way through the night I had the feeling this was going to be the longest night yet, having left the after party ever later each night. I think we rolled in around 7 am this morning. But with smiles on our faces happy memories as we fell into bed exhausted.

Crossing Border Festival day 2

This was the day I was most looking forward to of the festival. The Swell Season, and how could you not want to see them if you have seen the movie Once. Being a big sucker for romance, music and the eternal love story it was great to see Glen and Marketa in real life and perform the songs they did so well in the movie. Of course I can see now that they were just acting themselves. But it did not bother me as I think Glen is a genuinely beautiful person and a pleasure to watch on Stage.

The Swell Season with The Frames

The Fleet Foxes The rest of the night was a mix of The Fleet Foxes. Which were nice but I had to leave as the overpowering stench of sweaty men was getting to me. After that I went out the back door and back in the NTG. Disappointing because they had let way too many people in and there was already overfilled to capacity for Fleet Foxes and then the huge line up inside and out for Ben Folds. Not allowing others in to see the other acts in the different rooms. Poor Martin, hopefully next time huh?
Then went back to the main theater for Tindersticks and during that I slipped out to see Tom Baxter in the small room at the top. And was more than pleasently surprised and how lovely it was. Happy to leave the Tindersticks after a couple of songs as they all started to sound the same to me.

Tom Baxter

After that the after party was a nice laugh and we got to chat and meet a few new folks which is also nice... as well as having a chat with Tom Baxter who informed me that yes they can hear people in the audience when they chat and talk.

Now shortly onto Day 3.

Tonight I'm looking forward to Kathleen Edwards and The Black Keys.

Crossing Border Festival 2008 - Day 1

Last night was the first night of the 15th Crossing Border Festival in The Hague. I have only ever attended once when it was held in Amsterdam, where I got to see my hero author Douglas Coupland speak about his love of musc and literature.

So last night I started the night with the Scottish Band Frightened Rabbit, which was in one of the small tents. After this we went over to check out Cass McCombs and then onto Ra Ra Riot which were great large band from NY State.

Ra Ra Riot
Stef Kamil Carlen's Bob Dylan Tribute
Carolina Chocolate Drops
then back over to the Main Theater for the fabulous Carolina Chocolate Drops. And finally back to the NTG for Death Cab for Cutie. Which if I have not already complained about I will here. They suck live!!!! I loved Transatlanticism but I have seen then a twice in the last 6 months and both times I have walked out because of boredom, annoyance and bad sound. Blah! But the rest of the night was great! Looking forward to tonight even more.

The Adventures of Chairman Meow

Once upon a time there was a little kitty named Chairman, she was the cutest kitty in all the land. All the girls fussed and pampered over her. played with her and competed for her affections. And yet she yearned for something new and exciting.

One day she saw a opening in her world and she decided to venture into this new unchartered universe. This new universe was sparse and uninhabited, little Chairman felt lonely and sad with no one to play with or preen over her, nor were there any warm and soft furniture to curl up upon, but she could not make it back through the secret passage way home. Many hours later her good step-sister Mozilla woke to find her sister missing and went to investigate. She was not in the living room, the hall or the sleeping room of the two house slaves. She started to worry and tried with all her kitty power to wake up the two slaves by any any means possible; purring loudly, poking her face in the hands and faces of the sleeping slaves and still not giving up even after she was put outside the door by meowing so loudly the female slave started to wonder what was wrong, and even had the notion it was strange that Chairman was not also there joining in the antics. When the male slave got up from his resting place, the female slave said it was strange indeed the Chairman had not made yet an appearance even with his food being put out for him. When the male slave went to investigate he could hear faint meowing and as he came to the front door the meowing got louder. He discovered Chairman has spent the night in the sparse and cold universe all on her own with only a welcome mat to keep her company. However after many apologies, pets and fresh food little Chairman Meow seemed to have forgotten the entire episode and was back to chasing her sister around the house, over the furniture and demanding to be preened over like nothing at all had happened.