Finally the sun has arrived. Dreary days seemed to have ended and now that shining yellow star just said “Hello!” making everybody happy and willing to watch some shows properly. By the afternoon you could notice joyous smiles flooding the river shores that in these days is more like a grassy beach.
Festival © Hugo Lima
Personally, this was my most antecipated day. Line-up personal favorites Deer Tick were playing that night and some of the greats were joining us in this having fun crusade. Here’s the proof:
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One of the most unknown bands to the audience turned out to be one of the most sweet surprises. British trio The Wave Pictures opened the secondary stage to a tiny crowd and I’m pretty sure they were surprised. Crossing genres, but always hitting the boundaries of anti-folk, something like Morrissey and Jeffrey Lewis playing together, they traveled through their numerous records, closing with the beautiful If You Leave It Alone. What a tremendous way to start the day.
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At the main stage, Gang Gang Dance opened the main stage. If you’re familiar with them, you know what to expect; ethereal psychadelia, tribal drums and that around the world trip you’ve always dreamed of. They did their thing and you could notice the crowd dancing…. but maybe it was too early for them. They should be playing at nightfall, but this wasn’t a total problem as the band still managed to perform a great show. You’re always welcome here.
Gang Gang Dance © Hugo Lima
Next on the main stage Elephant-6 Collective founder and legend Kevin Barnes was stepping on the portuguese soil. In his own style he brought us Of Montreal. And what to expect? Something like David Bowie composing Tullycraft songs. Their first songs were mainly from their latest records and didn’t made much impact on the crowd, but when the likes of Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer, Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse, or The Past is a Grotesque Animal were played you noticed that the die-hard Of Montreal fans actually were there… and having fun!
Of Montreal © Hugo Lima
Deer Tick. THE TICK was in Portugal for the first time. Providence, Rhode Island prodigious drunk kids were wrecking the secondary stage. John McCauley, the born in the boondocks Kurt Cobain, clearly affected by alcohol and carrying the anger written in their latest Divine Providence, broke glasses, played guitar with his penis, there was time for it all… even for my favorite deer tick: the tender one. With songs like little white lies and ashamed, Deer Tick melted the audience hearts. But mostly the concert was a drunk-punk show, with The Bump as their anthem. I was surprised there was so much Deer Tick fans out there. Next time be prepared for beer shower.
Deer Tick © Hugo Lima
Erlend Oye, one of portuguese audience favorite musicians (and he already proved us that he loves our little country more than we do) was back to his favorite festival. Last year he played in Paredes with Kings of Convenience, one of the most applauded bands in the whole lineup. During the show he even stated that he didn’t knew why the audience and himself had so much in common, perhaps it was the sad mood it hovers upon both.
Anyway, Erlend Oye side project Whitest Boy Alive (he probably he’s the Whitest Boy Alive) where the chosen ones. The catchy indie-pop/funk sound really caught (no pun intended) everybody’s ears and they couldn’t stop dancing. Songs like Gravity and Courage were really warmly welcomed by the audience and Oye felt like he was home. Again.
Erlend Oye © Hugo Lima
If we were living in 2005, probably there were no androids, and iPhones, Kepler was still in NASA’s laboratories and Kasabian were at their peak. I’m not sure if in 2012 there was a reason why they were headliners in such a dignified festival. Still, they played mostly the songs that made them famous (LSF, Club Foot, Shoot the runner) and there was still time for covers and a a-capella of She Loves You by The Beatles. Egocentric (in a good way) and working hard to fulfill their fans wishes,I guess they weren’t disappointed. As for me, and not their biggest fan, I still enjoyed the show. But I’ve seen better.
Kasabian © Hugo Lima
It’s hard to define the spanish Crystal Fighters. Not sure if folk, if eletronica, if whatever. But their summery sound was the perfect one to close the second stage. Time to sleep and be ready for the last day. The alcohol started to get heavy on my body, and I could only hope for a quiet warm bed.