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.