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Fr., 4. Jul. – Solidays

So, there I was then, the lonely Dutchman who has never been to Paris before, my French sucks, but I was curious and stayed at someone's place through couchsurfing.
I made my way with the metro to the Hippodrome and stayed in the cue in the sun for some hours. But hey, I am in Paris, nothing to worry about! Finally I was on the campus, overwhelmed by the weather and the areal, this perfect spot close to Paris and though in a green environment. Exploring the terrein, I found a band playing at it's and, Girls in Hawaii giving a relaxed concert, good to chill next to it on the grass.
Afterwards I made my way to a more central stage where Nneka was about to play. I only read about here, giving me somewhat of an idea. But when she started I first got an idea like "what an arrogant little woman".... Though, after only one song, she convinced me... She's one of the best artists, living for her music, forcing people to listen, telling them what she wants them to hear, even if all of them think the song is about something different. Her voice has so much power, it really brings the topics she wants you to think about right to you... And if she wants you to listen, she even tells everybody to shut up, don't scream! WOW!!! one of an experience, I can tell you that!

I went back to the entrance where Micky Green was coming up. Totally different to what I just had seen, but her show is dope! She is a real icon, great voice, playing with her girlish attitude, great songs. She def knows how to make music, too.

I had a break in the big field, chilling to the vibes of Alpha Blondy.
Afterwards I went back and Vampire Weekend rocked there "first and best concert in France!" (their own words, haha). But they where right, it rocked for sure.

Back on the main PARIS stage Patrice was coming up with his guitar and smooth voice, already known for me but not a bit less dope than on other concerts. Perfect gettatway for my first day, I went home with a smile :D

Day 2 started rainy, but I picked up my best mate and a friend from the station so my lonely days where over, hehe.
The opening for us was Beat Assailant, and canadian rapper, beats good, raps good, good start, for sure!!
Afterwards food and a break until THE concert started. Hocus Pocus came on stage!!!! The reason why I went to the festival in the first place anyway. And this concert was the bom mates, really was! Better than all my exspectations. To see this creativity on stage, the feeling of good music brought over to you in the fucking best manner, wow.... I enjoyed this A LOT!

Chilled next to MC Solaar, quite cool but couldn't compete to HP of course...
In need of another chill we headed to Asian Dub Foundation which turned out to be no dub at all but fucking dope Drum n Bass! Well, no chilling for us here, but dancing our heads off in the sun, good vibes!

We heared Yael Naim in the distance but spent some last minutes in the silent disco... Can't remember when I had to laugh so much the last time!

Bumcello was the next surprise for us. Take a DJ, a drummer, singers, a violine and a flute and mix it with some really moving tunes, party IS on!!!

After that we danced and screamed the last energy out of us to Etienne De Crecy, Brodinski and Don Rimini. We headed home close to death, haha

Day 3 started with Yelle, good to wake up, her show is cool and fits to her crazy outfit. Even if we didn't understand a lot about her vocals, the vibe in the crowd made us dance again.

Still a bit knackered from the long day before we chilled on the grass to some french raps by Psy 4 de la Rime and IAM.

The finishing concert for us was The Gossip and that was another one! Beth on stage, hardly wearing anything, only a slip, a bra and some kind of see through cover.... She rocked man, old and new songs and in the end climbing on top of some speaker!!! What and end of a great Solidays, vive la France, you rock all!!!!!!

The festival begins today! It's not as good as usual but it's gonna be cool indeed I think. A good way to discover new groups :)





Friday:

Placebo
Raphaël
Rhesus
Yann Tiersen
dEUS
FDB
Shout Out Louds
Diam's
113
Hocus Pocus
K'naan
Ko et Josephine
Lebowski
Monkey Beats


Saturday:

Madness
Cali
Babylon Circus
Les Cowboys Fringants
Editors
HushPuppies
Orange Blossom
The Lords of Altamont
Besh o'Drom
Champion
Karkwa
Plaster
Ghislain
poirier
Les Gens Normals
FMR.exe
Tyra Loopers


Sunday:

Pixies
Tracy Chapman
Julien Clerc
Infadels
Da Silva
Bumcello
Meteor Show Extended Vol 2
Olivia Ruiz
Winston Mc Anuff & The Bazbaz Orchestra --->Yes!
Dionysos
Soulwax Nite Version Live
2 Many DJ's
Digitalism
Erol Alkan
Trem-O
monsieur pantalon
Lugo
Primal Punks