Marillion Weekend 2009

What a weekend, what a time. 3000+ friends and family, 3 nights of concerts, epic dance disco’s, great weather, cool drinks and fun had by all.
Already I can say this is the best convention yet as I was writing this Saturday afternoon, I have never remembered a convention where I have laughed and had as much fun as this one. Friday night started with a young lad named Toby Sebastian who wowed the whole crowd with his presence on stage as well as belting out quite a few mature and beautiful songs. Then onto the main event, Seasons End beginning to end, what a night. You can forget how great that entire album is until you hear it all again. What a great night, everyone I saw was smiling from beginning to end. The Party, Seasons End, etc etc etc.. not to mention my namesake song..

After seeing some old friends and meeting some new, headed over to Lucy’s rock disco. Where we saw even more friends and met even more new ones. The Canadians it was nice to see them in the usual spot showing off our country's wonderful flag.
I must give a nod to the God of Thunder Thor, who played a very mean plastic air guitar for hours a’ la Angus Young, and his back up axe air-goddess on stage. Who was that woman she had stamina like none other I had seen before. n.b. Carolien v/G has contacted me to claim her prize of Air Guitar goddess! Rock on girl!
Then on to the Norwegian party which has been as much a staple as the band and concerts themselves at the conventions. Our dear host Andreas was already several sheets to the wind but still was a genuine host and lovely man that he is (he's in the red cap in the party photo below).
I basically saw the first light of day and had a few hours shut eye before before heading out to day 2.
I began with a visit the Marillion Museum, and then headed out into the sun where
I found Angie who also had similar intentions and joined her for a pint before heading back for the signing session where 100 lucky people got to have their items signed by the band.
Then heading back into the sun where I spent the remainder of the afternoon in the company of many fine people. Toby's father told me that he was at Lucy's rock disco and said that everyone there was between the ages of 45-65..hahaha how cute is that....

On to the second night they were playing what they called the epics. I had a argument with a very very large and tattooed Dutch man who kept telling me he thought the set list was shite, and I kept asking him why I needed to know that? In the end I told him if in 100+ shows that he has claimed to have seen of the band, and this is the first one that he disliked, then he should shut up and get over it already since in my estimation that is pretty good going. In the end he agreed and thanked me for my reason and ever since has smiled and been nice. Anyway, when the show ends with the giant confetti filled balloon's how can you not be in a good mood?

Back to the Adventure Factory, which only really looks good when it is filled with the Freaks having a great time, the dance floor and stage packed for most of it and everyone having a laugh.. seriously YMCA?! So much fun was had that one of my new Glaswegian friends fell from a height and cracked his head open only to be taken to hospital. The next day he told me that he was the First casualty on a Saturday night in two years... MW 2007 anyone? The Doctors and nurses did not seem to mind, he said he was treated like a celebrity the whole time. Bless!
Back again to the Norwegian abode where I met a Norwegian Rush freak who could not get over the fact I came from Canada and did not care for Getty's nails on a chalkboard voice, I had to appease him by admitting that they were pretty phenomenal musicians but just not for me... when I told him Iron Maiden and Kiss where in the same bucket as rush in my books I was almost sure he was about to deck me.. haha, anyway I was rescued by a cool Fin called Lauren
(check out his blog http://www.navelfluff.org/elfluff.org).

The God of Thunder, had the good sense to have a micky of Famous Grouse, big kiss to you Thor! At that time in the morning (between 2-4) is a dam fine thing to taste, even Famous Grouse. I even popped next door Kai's party to check out the vibe, but have to say the party with the folk that were over 25 was a much better one, kids these days don't know a thing about ambiance. Even Kai said so as he came over to the dark side. Henk and Kees were there enjoying themselves to no end, both had been part of the film crew again and were feeling pretty good about the whole thing.
Again I think I was crawling into bed around the time dawn was breaking.
Sunday, hmm. knowing it was all coming to an end and yet still not sure what the day would bring I have to say I was eager to get up and find out for myself what Sunday had in store.
As I was leaving the apartment I could hear my Glaswegian neighbours laughing at their poor friend with the stitches. Everyone was still in a great mood.
Back over to find the Merch shop, where I ran into Jon and Alexis which was lovely to see them both, especially Alexis who I had not seen in ages and later that night her husband and old friend Rob, My condolances to them for the loss of their daughter at the end of last year. She was a very special girl. Then back thought the Market hall to find a handful of the Norwegians double fisting coffee and pints, and looking very very dehydrated... After a good laugh at them I went out for some sunshine and found Angie and Mark and a few others in the sun. Mark gave me his seat as he had to fix some kind of keyboard thingy so I enjoyed a pint before heading over to the Challenge the band session. This time the Cakey boys were running the quiz because they kept winning all the other years. This years' challenging team was called Susan's End, where Mark promptly make the joke., 'I look forward to beating Susan's End" And guess what? they did!
Went for some pizza and then headed home to get ready for the evening. Met my lovely Glaswegians in the bar for a pint then headed over to the tent for A Genuine Freakshow. Great band, reminds me a little of Ra Ra Riot when I saw them on stage but they have a great presence and might do quite well for themselves, fingers crossed!

The concert was a little late because h was doing poorly, there was a tense moment or two if he would be able to sing or not. But he did and it was beautiful. What a set list! I was teasing those who asked as I had seen it in the afternoon but gave nothing away, no one predicted the three oldies that got played... and the end with the confetti rockets during Neverland, sheer wonderful madness. What an amazing way to end. The last night always gets the crowd in such a mood where whole groups of fans gather for group shots and fun. And guess what next.... back to the bar for a last night of revelry. It was pure magic, although by this time the whole stage was getting filled by those who wanted to express their inner rock-god. But to save the day was the god and goddess of the blow up air guitar who put everyone else to shame. Everyone was in such a great mood.
One last night of fun with the Northern Men (and I must ask, where are their women?) It truly can be compared to Vikings who left their homeland and wives to travel across the oceans to pillage and plunder before coming home again. Thankfully there were no battle axes but only beer to fuel their fun. As predicted the party was great fun again, the brave souls of Genuine Freak Show were there and Erik who even made an appearance.. good fun again and back home before the first light of day.
Woke up after a few hours sleep and packed my things, drove over to wake up two of the Norse- men who I promised to drive to the Train station in the Hague, saw some more of the friends and said goodbye. As we were leaving the park Andreas's phone rang and it was Fish on the other line wanting to know how the weekend was... surreal of what?
Stein, Andreas and I sang along to 'old' Tears for Fears all the way back to the Hague. Where we tried to remember our five favourite snippets of the weekend, imagine if you were to make a trailer of your life for that weekend, what would it say, epic blockbuster or bitter-sweet drama? I'll get back to you on that one, cause now that I have make the first pass at my 2500 photos and am down to about 1700 I still have a lot of work to do.

So as I finish typing this I will crack open the very last can of strongbow I rescued from 345 and raise it in a toast to all you fine people who helped to make this the Most Memorable Marillion Weekend ever! Cheers!

Post script (26.03.09): Sorry guys I could go on and on but some really important people who help keep this big happy family together need ... A big Word UP! To my friends at the fan clubs, Germany, Holland, UK and France! (Laurent please send me your email).. you will be hearing from me shortly. kiss!

March 2009

Just hours to go before I head down the road to Centerparks in Ouddorp Zeeland for the next installment of Marillion Weekend. This is a great weekend where their amazing fans gather from around the globe for a music filled, fun, friends and fantastic atmosphere weekend.

I have had the privilege for attending ever single one since the beginning and can say they only get better and better. Sadly I will not be at the one in Montreal but I am sure I will get to hear all about it.

This year they are playing the entire record of Seasons End, which is one of the first albums with Mr. h at the helm or the Sure 58. I am certainly looking forward to that.

I have attached a couple of shots from MW 2007 for your viewing pleasure. A little crafty photoshopping and we have 2 fan clubs and Mr.h in one photo.

Don't forget to smile for the camera!!

Feb 2009

My friend Helen likes to kick my ass sometimes to post on my blog.. which is really a good thing. With all the other distractions in the ether world I sometimes find it hard to keep up to date.

Since the last entry 3 months ago (excluding 5 min ago)! Life has zipped by. Here are a few photos of what's happening in my world. Fisheye fun, glowing balls of light at kijkduijn. I have seen some great gigs the last two weeks.

On Valentines eve I got to see Marillion in Hamburg on their Happiness is the Road tour. The first time on this tour for me, which was nice because it has been over a year and a half since I saw them last. The crowd in Hamburg were fab and much more involved than 5 years ago when I thought them less than warm.

After seeing Emiliana Torrini on Friday night at the Paradiso in Amsterdam and the Kings of Leon at the HMH also in Amsterdam on Saturday.

Emiliana was wonderful, beautiful and so worth seeing. she is funny and charming and had so much charisma it was great to see her again.

The Kings of Leon... meh! I have typed it more than once now describing this gig, and I mean it. Not bad, not great.. mediocre. they rocked, played the songs and that was IT. I felt no love. I have the feeling they are all so fed up and actually might not even like each other any more.. I am glad I saw them in a venue that was not too big and before they beat each other up or stop talking all-together because fame has made their egos so big they can't fit through a stadium loading dock. The drummer impressed me the most, since he was playing, singing back up vocals and blowing bubbles with his gum, he actually had the most charisma and he looked like a slightly less hariy version of cro-magnum man.

Still was fun to sing along to the songs and have a night out again in Amsterdam. But give me smaller intimate venues or Bands that can carry their talent across any divide any day. So all in all, glad to have been there done that.. did not buy the tee shirt but will most likely not go see them live again either, you can get more enjoyment from the actual CD, LP's and imagine your own concert. I came to the realisation why I still love watching Marillion, cause they actually still like what they do, and it shows and the likes of Emiliana because she is not only talented but also sweet and goofy between songs, both artists perform and seem to care about what they are doing, they entertain! Whereas the Kings of Leon.. did not.
My only complaint AGAIN is why does the Dutch audience still insist on talking all the way through a gig. Even Emiliana had to ask them more than three times to be quiet because it was her gig and she had the mic. Why, why, why, even go to a concert if you are just going to talk all the way through. Can't you people just Shut the frac up, and enjoy what you paid for?!!!

Next stop March 20-22 Marillion weekend 2009, where they rent out the CenterParcs Port Zelande in Ouddorp, Holland for the second time and hold their convention. The others have been held in The UK and for the first time also this year Montreal Canada. It should be again a wonderful way to bring fans from around the world together. I am quite honored to have been to every weekend so far. Stay posted for more photos soon! For a better way of life, http://www.marillion.com/

January blues

Does anyone like January? The dark, the damp the cold and the back to work.

Trying to be the positive person I am, I took my new lens out a few times to try and find something nice on these cold, dark and dreary nights.

For the people: The Hague Spui/ City Hall square
I guess it could be worse, I could live in a Scandinavian country.

But now that it is February and I am quite happy that it appears January was not so bad. I got to spend a fantastic weekend in London with some wild n' crazy girls from Cork, good food, drink and especially company. I have not laughed that hard in a long long time. Check out www.eatlikeagirl.com for some great eats and treats out in London.

Buitenhof, The Hague

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.

The Hague Todays Art Festival

Last night The Todays Art festival started as it happens just outside my front door. As I look over the central station and through the corridor of ministries, city halls and court houses, I was struck at how interesting this festival is at incorporating everyday objects into the celebration.
It started with the trains and trams that come and go trhough the station imagine the tracks have been laid out with the equivelent of a music box ribbon... it was quite a noise. Here is more from the artists website.
This performance is not just any performance. It uses instruments, but highly unusual ones; the instruments are trains and trams, bicycle bells and the Central Station-building itself, including all the people present. As a part of the performance, in cooperation with NS (=the Dutch railroad company), a whole range of trains and trams will enter the station in a strict choreography called The Tsunami, with all the train and tram engineers working together. Sounds from travellers will also be amplified through microphones as part of the performance. Achim wollscheid will use computer-driven magnets that play the bicycles in front of the Central Station like a toposonic typewriter.

Then H and I headed down the corridor (check the map for the interactive route) to find a go cart race in progress in front of the ministry of VROM... I'm not kidding for those who get the haha about that one. Onwards we passed the ah grocery store and were forced to weave in and out of large blue triangles laid out on the ground. Their significance to be reveled later,
this is the first time we came across the bunny in the sky, a projection project that ended up following us the entire night through in the form of the artist Pictoplasma on a large bakers bike with projector, generator and laptop in tow.

First came a green house filled with costumes, although I am not sure what the meaning was it was quite funny.
Then the skaters and breakdancer area outside the city hall. Half-pipe, obstical course and a premiere of a skate movie projected on the city hall.
Onwards past other greenhouses with bars and snacks to the main plein Spui where the side of the library and city hall had some amazing projections that transformed the tiles to 3d objects. We saw some modular dresses that could react and change to sound, and found out the blue piramids were for a infared cctv camera that was showing people weaving in and out of the passage way without seeing the blue piramids at all.
We further wandered onto the Grote Markt street which was also part of the Blue Light District where we came accross a van with DJ's for the Langeweiliskeit festival and a bunch of people creating grafitti with tape on the ground.. to be honest I think the Grote Markt Street was the most dissapointing, other than hearing some great music being pumped down the corridor there was nothing else happening all the way till the end and it was filled with the same drunks and drugged kiddies on their way home as you would find on a normal Friday night.

We then made a slight detour to the As If Festival held at the Interfacility which was a student gallery where we walked in on a show that was pretty interesting for about 2 min of sounds and frequencys made from hand-made instruments. I found the multimedia exhibit by Palestiniaan artists far more interesting. The most moving was a young artist who painted all his/her pictures in the bottom of cardboard boxes that were then hung on the wall.. quite moving. This symbolised the mental effect being kept caged can do to a person, even if there is no actual bars the wall that was built was having the same effect on many of the people who had to live with it day in and day out. Quite something and by far the most moving thing I saw all night. It is a conflict that never ceases to amaze and astound me, that the super powers in the world turn a blind eye.. is it beacause there is no oil?

We then went to the Grote Markt and watched a video from a web TV company which was very interesting to say the least. I am trying to remember the name still.
And then back through the street to the Spui where we caught a artist with two giant electricity conductors that lightning lept between the two balls to music.. people loved it!
Back along the corridor to the skaters on the half pipe, past the go carts and home made for a pretty interesting and cultural evening.

Song stuck in my head

As many of you know I "heart" music. Lots of different sounds and experiences. I was just tidying up and came accross a bunch of old ticket stubs from concerts I have attended.. some of these date back as far as September 1983 when I saw Platinum Blonde on their Standing in the Dark tour in the Memorial Arena in Victoria.
Also quite dated was the Black Crows in the Forge night club also in Victoria close to a decade later when they were on their first major tour to promote Shake Your Money Maker about 1991.
More recent ticket findings were Buck 65 (good fun), The Dears & Ambulance Ltd (I was having a bad night and did not enjoy, I really do like Ambulance Ltd), Porcupine Tree, Marillion and h, Band of Horses (so/so), Death Cab for Cutie (would have rather stayed in and listed to the CD) BUT Styrofoam were great and a few festival wrist bands and tickets thrown in all from about 2004 till now. Some of these were Live & Coldplay, Black Mountain,Caribou, Marilyn Manson & Metallica, The Frames, Elbow, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Supergrass, Tokyo Police Club, Lamb (their very last show in Amsterdam) & so many more.

I even found a couple of set lists: Do you know who this is?
Giant
Auto
Fall of Man
Life Beyond
Machine
Time Bomb
Influence
Suburbua
Lets Get it On
Rico
xRated
Strange Days
DG
Load
Flash Dance
APP
BTK
sigh! That was a kick ass show!

Anyway, I have seen a TON of shows in my life. I remember Pearl Jam opening for Alice in Chains at Harpo's in Victoria way way back then. Eddy landed on my head stage diving!

I have left very few concerts because of bad performances (Guns and Roses, Death Cab for Cutie) and I have left many wishing it would not end (Depeche Mode, The New Pornographers and Peter Gabriel just to name a few).
I am also looking forward to seeing some new live gigs, The Swell Season, Kings of Leon spring to mind.
My last concert was out in Vancouver with my brother at The Faint which was super cool (and the beginning of a epic night out with the Dude) The opening band's lead (and I use the term loosely) singer should never ever have been given a mic and been encouraged to make that horrific noise, but what can you do?!
I bought tickets yesterday for the Crossing Border festival here in Holland for November and am looking forward to seeing The John Dear Mowing Club for free tomorrow at the Haag's Uit festival should be good.

So enough of me waffling on.. but check out this The Cold Cut blog for more serious music reviews.. he has a nack for picken'em.

Check out the cool illustrations from the super cool Exploding Dog website.

Soundwave 2008

About a month ago I had the pleasure of heading off to the Soundwave Festival in the wilds of the West Coast of Vancouver Island with my Brother Eric. It is a long drive from anywhere to there, but well worth it just for the scenery alone.

We camped on the beach, met great people and danced until we could dance no more.

Respecting the wildlife we made sure not to feed the bears or gorillas, but happily shared out habitat with them.

The stages and bars were made with natural resources such as driftwood found on the beach and it was a wonderful place to enjoy the party especially since the sun shone non stop the entire time. I have been told in the past it has also been known as Drownwave, and having lived up in that area for a time would not be surprised that it can get really really wet at times but lucky for us it was the perfect weekend with great tunes, people and fun. One of the best parts was catching up with my super duper cool buddy John after all this time and meeting the lovely Sarah in the process.

Since I have been going to parties in Germany like this for many many years, I was thinking nothing could impress me in the back woods of Canada. I was wrong!

The party had first class music, laid-back people and great scenery, even the Girls of Soundwave calendar crew were there to head things up before Fame Corp met for their annual stakeholders meeting.

The music came from far and wide. Dirt Crew from Berlin, Death to Sexy from Victoria, Ink Well & Long Walk Short Dock from Vancouver and many more that impressed me greatly. Unfortunatly we only arrived on Saturday afternoon so had already missed a whole day of fun.

I also had the pleasure of meeting a few new people with whom I hope I will be friends with in the years to come. Perhaps is it just because it was my own country and language but it seemed people were much easier to talk to and get to know.

Either way it was a great weekend and I hope that I will make it back for the next one.

Hopefully see you at the next one.